CRN Greater Manchester core team blog series: Study Support Service

We, in the study support service, are often asked what it is we do here at the Clinical Research Network  Greater Manchester (CRN GM), this question is in some ways the easiest to answer yet at the same time the most difficult. Our role in the Study Support Service (SSS) is so varied and versatile we often find ourselves taking on a multiple array of research related tasks, no two days ever look the same.

Usually we are the first point of contact for any Partner organisations reaching out to the network, we ensure our partner organisations have a high quality and streamlined journey working with the CRN GM and throughout the lifespan of their research. We work closely with our Partner organisation to assist them deliver and facilitate their research on time and to target. 

We have established research ambitions for the region following a wide-reaching consultation with our research communities and system leaders. This has allowed us to take a fresh look at how we work and what we are seeking to achieve in collaboration with our partner organisations and members of the public. 

We offer a  range of support to help researchers and organisations plan, place and perform high quality research. We do this right from study conception to study closure. 

Plan

We provide expert advice and guidance to help you plan your research. By accessing support from us early on you will benefit from a bespoke service to meet the needs of your study. We will give personalised advice and guidance about what support is available, tailored to your specific study needs. You can access this support even before you have secured funding. Engaging early will increase your support options.

Place

We identify study sites and highlight any challenges to your study delivery. We can gather expressions of interest to take part in your study from sites across England. You can discuss this with us anytime throughout the life cycle of your study. We undertake a study wide assessment to identify and highlight any challenges to study delivery, enabling a proactive approach to study set-up.

Perform

We help streamline your study set-up and keep your research performance on track. We streamline your study set-up through our national network. We share a study-wide action plan to ensure multiple sites open as quickly and efficiently as possible.

This blog comes at a great time as we have just launched the brand new website for our Study Support Service. It's a one-stop shop to explain how our combined Study Support Service and Industry Team can support you to set-up and deliver research in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and East Cheshire. 

Anam Nazir

CRN GM Study Support Lead

Study Support Service