Transformation of the Study Support Service (Springboard)

Over the past few months, we have been busy transforming our services and ways of working to ensure that the NIHR Research Delivery Network’s (RDN) plays a unique role, adding value to the UK’s research system. 

Transforming the Study Support Service programme (Springboard) is the bridge as we move from the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) and the RDN.
The programme aims to:

  • implement the learnings, processes and tools from Research Reset into sustained improvements 
  • consider the services we offer customers while studies are being set up 
  • help staff and stakeholders understand how changes will enable improved RDN services and access to support

Projects

The two projects that are part of the Study Support Service transformation programme (Springboard) are:

  • Transforming Portfolio Oversight - which gives study sponsors and their delegates more visibility of their data and the ability to update on progress.
  • Site ID which provides a simple approach to identify, and connect with, the most appropriate sites to deliver each study. 

You can read the progress made on these projects below.
Both the Portfolio Oversight and Site ID projects are now being taken forward as part of the government priority project work.

To date we have:

  • implemented processes and tools to support the Terms and Conditions for NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Support (“T&Cs”)
  • launched the Sponsor Engagement Tool. This enables Sponsors and their delegates to access, update or provide an assessment of their NIHR RDN Portfolio study data to the Network (as outlined in the T&Cs)
  • moved away from undertaking individual study performance monitoring. We now provide support/advice on study performance when contacted by a Sponsor or their delegate
  • engaged with Sponsors, delegates and stakeholders on the needs, design and expectations of the future Study Performance Service
  • engaged with Sponsors to improve data integrity. No studies that are 90 days past their planned start date are included on the NIHR RDN Portfolio
  • engaged with stakeholders to review and identify where the CRN/RDN can best add value.

We are currently focused on aligning our services, and bringing value to, study sponsors and the wider research ecosystem.  

To help achieve this:

  • the RDN will launch a Study Performance Service, for sponsors (or their delegates). This will enable them to request RDN support with delivery of their NIHR RDN Portfolio study when needed.  

The RDN will provide improved supportive tools for sponsors (or their delegates) to fulfil their role and responsibilities, described in the T&Cs. Improved visibility of (and interaction with) data held by the RDN will be available via the NIHR RDN Sponsor Engagement Tool. Dedicated training materials will also be available.

Work is underway to provide a new approach to identify sites. This is part of the UK-wide service to minimise the resource needed to identify relevant and interested sites.

This will enable sponsors to identify, and connect with, the most appropriate sites to deliver each study. 

This will be achieved by:

  • refining the service - to have one nationwide process, aligned across UK nations. This will target and return a list of capable and interested sites for each study as a collective.
  • increasing transparency - with a single proof-of-concept visualisation tool combining clinical-research activity and infrastructure data for informed decision making. It will be supported by industry-focused learning materials to help users maximise impact.
  • adding value - by combining site recommendations with digital recruitment options. Together with promotion of capacity-building opportunities (e.g. the RDN Associate PI scheme). Sponsors will also be connected with the RDN National Specialty and/or Setting Leads as standard.