Impact Report — NIHR Clinical Research Network North West London

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Foreword

Professor Robina Coker
Clinical Director — NIHR Clinical Research Network North West London

It gives me immense pleasure to introduce the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) North West London 10 year Impact Report, which showcases some of the our most significant achievements.

Clinical research across our partners has flourished in a wide variety of settings since our official launch in central London in June 2014, when Jonathan Sheffield, the then NIHR CEO, highlighted an urgent need to harness big data, embed research at the heart of the NHS, develop adaptive trial designs, explore genomics and personalised medicine, prosecute real world studies, and progress digital solutions.

As the following pages illustrate, our overall recruitment is consistently one of the highest in England when adjusted for population, with nearly half a million study participants since 2014.

Over 95% of our GP practices are now active in research, compared with an average of 44% across England, and primary care is a major contributor to commercial research in the region. Our unique Schools Research Network, a collaboration with Imperial College London, Listen to Act, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London, established during the pandemic, continues to harness the energy and interests of over 40,000 students in over 60 schools to undertake research addressing key priorities in this group, particularly mental health.

During the pandemic the CRN’s flagship RECOVERY trial led the world in identifying the first effective treatment for COVID-19, and the CRN North West London was one of the highest recruiters to COVID-19 vaccine studies.

Our North West London Clinical Trials Alliance, established in 2021, provided a novel and collaborative approach to facilitate rapid setup and delivery of industry sponsored studies. Its success attracted significant media attention, including from The Guardian, Radio 5 Live, and other media platforms, and in 2022 it was shortlisted for the inaugural New Statesman Positive Impact Awards.

None of these achievements would have been possible without outstanding leadership and dedication from the individuals and teams you will see featured in this report. Inevitably, only a few can be mentioned. Many, many others have led research programmes or worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support frontline teams.

Without our patients and volunteers, none of this would have been possible, and we are incredibly grateful to them for their willingness and trust to join us on this journey of discovery. North West London has the most ethnically diverse population in the country, and our aspiration to reach out more effectively to our underserved communities is illustrated by the recently published EDI Framework for Positive Action, which has already attracted national interest.

As you read on, I do hope you will find articles of personal interest, but I hope especially that you will join me in thanking everyone who has contributed to our work over the past 10 years.

Pictured from left to right: Professor Robina Coker (Clinical Director), Reggie Pestininkas (Chief Operating Officer), Dr Sam Hayton (Deputy Chief Operating Officer), Sean Shillito (Research Delivery Manager), Kristina Duggleby (Senior Research Delivery Manager), Mihaela Sutu (Research Delivery Manager).

About us

NIHR Clinical Research Network North West London

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing, and promotes economic growth.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) North West London is one of 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) across England. We provide researchers with the practical support they need to make health and social care research happen locally, so that more research takes place and more people can take part.

We collaborate with our partners across primary care and community settings, and in the following NHS trusts:

• Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
• Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
• London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
• The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust
• West London NHS Trust

When we launched in 2014 we also partnered with Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, which later merged with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. As a result they formed a new partnership with CRN South London.

What our R&D partners say

Professor Bob Klaber
Consultant Paediatrician and Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation — Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

"At Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust we are really committed to promoting a strong culture of research and innovation, where all of our patients and staff have an opportunity to get involved with, and benefit from, research trials and wider innovation activities, so it has been an immense privilege to host the Clinical Research Network in North West London over the last 10 years, working collaboratively with a wide range of partners to deliver high quality research for the benefit of our patients and local communities, as well as supporting research discovery that has an impact on a global scale."

Sunder Chita (right)
Health Service Research Manager and PPI Lead — London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Mushiya Mpelembue (left)
Head of Research Delivery — London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

"CRN support for clinical research in a number of specialties has contributed to creating jobs which has generated income for the NHS. As partners we have worked together to ensure relevant studies are identified and delivered to time and target.

"During the pandemic we found ourselves delivering a first ever vaccine study. Whilst we prepared for the challenge ahead the CRN provided all the support that was required whilst our staff were engaged in delivering ongoing studies."

Lauren Stevens-Macdougall
Research Delivery Manager — Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust

"I think one of the stand-out studies for us and the clinical teams was DreamStart. It recruited really well across all of Noclor’s sites and was hugely popular with patients and clinical teams alike. It offered an intervention to people with dementia who otherwise wouldn’t be receiving that level of support, and provided carers with the right tools to improve and manage sleep in their loved ones living with dementia.

"The design of the study in terms of EDI provisions was great as they had allowances for interpreters where English wasn’t the first language, which meant we were able to include people who usually would have traditionally been excluded from research offering new treatments too. Finally, the staff trained to deliver the intervention also gave great feedback about the extensive training and supervision provided and really enjoyed taking part."

Simon Lewis
Head of Research and Development — Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

"The role of the CRN has evolved into one that not only supports research but also works towards growing the local portfolio; actively searching for new studies and approaching study sponsors and lead LCRNs to try and adopt locally that for the needs of the organisation. During the pandemic and the proceeding years the relationship between the partner organisations has continued to strengthen, taking a more collegiate rather than competitive approach.

"The development of the North West London Clinical Trials Alliance has cemented great partner working and offered a unique platform for organisations to demonstrate the high-quality facilities and expertise in the region to both a national and international audience."

Dr Essam Ramhamadany
Assistant Director of Research — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"If it wasn’t for the CRN, research would not have been possible at West Middlesex University Hospital. We have been able to increase the size of the delivery team, allowing us to open studies in the majority of specialities and to recruit from the underserved population around the trust.

"At the Chelsea and Westminster hospital, it allowed us to take over the running of the clinical research facilities at St Stephen’s Centre, staffing it with 20 research nurses and clinical trial assistants, and to conduct phase one to phase four studies. We have also increased the delivery staff at the main hospital.

"The Strategic Workforce have been a great support to us when we’ve had to manage high recruitment studies like COVID-19 vaccine trials and during periods of reduction in our delivery staff."

Professor Rachael Fothergill
Head of Clinical Audit and Research — London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

"The CRN North West London very quickly and readily recognised the unique nature of the ambulance service setting and the challenges we have, and have always been very accommodating of our circumstances and done its best to support us (from the funding model applied to us to the targets set for us for certain metrics)."

Sofiya Portukhay
Clinical Trials Coordinator — The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust

"Before the CRN, our department had only a few staff: a manager, data manager and two research nurses, one of whom was part-time. Since then, the CRN helped our department grow and we now have two research nurses, one permanent research midwife and another one helping through CRN workforce, two study coordinators and a data manager.

"We are able to do more in terms of clinical research for our local community. It's a nice feeling to be a part of a bigger research family like the CRN North West London who have your back."

Dr Samantha Kon PhD FRCP
Consultant Chest Physician, Director of Research and Development — The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust

"Collaboration with the CRN has seen a necessary focus of health inequality and the development for a tangible EDI Framework to ensure all patients in North West London have an opportunity to take part in research.

"Over the last 10 years Hillingdon has benefited from regular and meaningful collaboration with the CRN. Regular meetings, link staff and targeted support for specific research areas and obstacles has been invaluable. The Trust has found the business intelligence support and the introduction of Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) useful in planning and reviewing its research offering.

"The CRN has also spearheaded the formation of important alliances such as the North West London Clinical Trials Alliance, which will allow patients in Hillingdon to benefit from its collective expertise."

Highlights

Impact in numbers

Key statistics for the CRN North West London between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2024.

Participants recruited to portfolio studies

• 485,318 in North West London
• 9,802,789 in England

Participants enrolled into commercial studies

• 26,287 in North West London
• 473,783 in England

Total studies recruited to in 10 years

• 3,469 in North West London
• 22,119 in England

Commercial studies with recruitment

• 993 in North West London
• 5,994 in England

North West London specialties sorted by their percentage share of recruitment in England. The total number of participants is also listed.

• Surgery (11%) — 11,221
• Diabetes (9%) — 20,188
• Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders (9%) — 4,149
• Cardiovascular Disease (9%) — 28,803
• Gastroenterology (8%) — 14,771
• Primary Care (6%) — 80,695
• Critical Care (6%) — 7,360
• Cancer (6%) — 36,451
• Haematology (6%) — 1,636
• Infection (5%) — 106,610
• Respiratory (5%) — 9,780
• Public Health (5%) — 24,165
• Ear, Nose and Throat (5%) — 2,752
• Mental Health (4%) — 25,061
• Children (4%) — 19,488
• Genetics (4%) — 5,658
• Stroke (4%) — 3,668
• Health Services (4%) — 9,438
• Hepatology (4%) — 1,747
• Reproductive Health (3%) — 30,902
• Renal (3%) — 4,734
• Trauma and Emergency Care (3%) — 8,292
• Dementias and Neurodegeneration (3%) — 8,562
• Anaesthesia (2%) — 4,696
• Dermatology (2%) — 2,184
• Neurological Disorders (2%) — 2,738
• Oral and Dental Health (2%) — 2,289
• Ophthalmology (2%) — 2,769
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (2%) — 3,868
• Ageing (1%) — 643

North West London specialties sorted by their percentage share of commercial recruitment in England. The total number of participants is also listed.

• Dementias and Neurodegeneration (32%) — 4,812
• Public Health (24%) — 440
• Dermatology (11%) — 973
• Oral and Dental Health (10%) — 158
• Stroke (7%) — 139
• Primary Care (7%) — 9,424
• Surgery (7%) — 183
• Ophthalmology (6%) — 837
• Infection (6%) — 2,659
• Respiratory (5%) — 764
• Haematology (5%) — 198
• Hepatology (4%) — 156
• Cardiovascular Disease (4%) — 1,966
• Cancer (4%) — 1,649
• Gastroenterology (4%) — 305
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (3%) — 311
• Neurological Disorders (3%) — 187
• Health Services (2%) — 56
• Children (2%) — 369
• Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders (2%) — 107
• Reproductive Health (2%) — 115
• Renal (1%) — 101
• Trauma and Emergency Care (1%) — 104
• Ear, Nose and Throat (1%) — 12
• Genetics (1%) — 3
• Mental Health (1%) — 74
• Diabetes (0%) — 180
• Critical Care (0%) — 3
• Anaesthesia (0%) — 2
• Ageing (0%) — 0

Significant contribution to the national picture

North West London is home to 3.7% of England’s population but makes up 5% of the national recruitment figure. The region has recruited participants to all 30 specialties.

Global and European firsts

North West London has recently been in second place among other LCRNs for the total number of Global and European firsts recruited to studies. Hammersmith Hospital was the top site in the country in 2023/24 for reported firsts. These successes help to showcase the UK as an attractive place to initiate studies.

Specialties with the highest number of recruiting studies in North West London

• Cancer — 640 studies, including 263 commercial
• Cardiovascular Disease — 304 studies, including 128 commercial
• Infection — 262 studies, including 61 commercial

Economic impact

Over the past decade, the CRN has not only helped improve health and care outcomes through research but has also demonstrated profound economic value through its direct funding and income generated via commercial research.

Since 2014, the CRN has invested £157 million to support research delivery in North West London. This substantial investment has directly funded approximately 340 full-time jobs each year.

In addition, CRN portfolio research is estimated to have attracted about £166 million for the NHS from the Life Sciences industry and saved the NHS around £105 million in instances where trial drugs have substituted standard care treatments.

Through its activities, the CRN has directly and indirectly contributed to a £428 million net positive, and played a crucial role in fulfilling the NIHR’s mission to improve both the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Economic impact in numbers

• £166 million commercial income
• £157 million CRN direct funding
• £105 million drug savings

Delivery

Specialties in the spotlight

The CRN North West London co-ordinates and enables the delivery of research across a range of specialty areas, headed by local specialty leads. Take a look at highlights from just a few.

Reproductive Health

Outreach research midwife posts

In 2017 outreach research midwife roles were introduced at Northwick Park Hospital and Hillingdon Hospital for the first time. Both sites have built up their research portfolios which has benefitted local women in the community.

Among staff making an impact in these roles are Anam Fayadh, Senior Research Midwife and Team Lead at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, and Komal Lal, Senior Outreach Research Midwife at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust (pictured above, Anam on the left and Komal on the right).

Anam Fayadh
Senior Research Midwife and Team Lead — Northwick Park Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

"I have managed to open four big trials before my retirement and plan to continue working on these as requested by my manager and deputy director of R&D.

"I managed to recruit over 3,000 women for the GBS3 trial. That was my big achievement during my work since 2019. We have also done very well with the iGBS3 study, recruiting 1,137 women. I was also the best recruiter for the SNAP3 study for the month of December 2023.

"I’ve led on studies in maternity, neonatal and paediatric."

Dermatology

Dr Gayathri Perera PhD, FRCP
Consultant Dermatologist — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Specialty Lead for Dermatology — CRN North West London

"With the help of the CRN I was able to open the first ever commercial clinical trial in West Middlesex Hospital 10 years ago. That particular study also achieved global 'first patient first visit'. Since then dermatology has led the way regarding the highest number of commercial clinical trials in the trust."

Over 10 years in Dermatology research in North West London:

• 2,184 participants recruited
• 33 studies with recruitment

Genetics

Dr Fleur S. van Dijk, MD, PhD
Consultant in Clinical Genetics — North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Clinical Specialty Lead for Genetics — CRN North West London

"The CRN North West London has been crucial to recruit individuals to studies involving rare genetic disease ranging from the 100,000 genomes project, aimed at genetic diagnosis, to studies aimed at investigating the natural history of specific rare genetic conditions to improve management."

Over 10 years in Genetics research in North West London:

• 5,658 participants recruited
• 37 studies with recruitment

Renal Disorders

Dr Richard Corbett
Consultant Nephrologist — Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Clinical Specialty Lead for Renal Disorders — CRN North West London

"The CRN has been fundamental in the creation and development of a renal research practitioner team which has gone from no members to seven individuals at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and more latterly extending studies across other trusts."

Over 10 years in Renal Disorders research in North West London:

• 4,734 participants recruited
• 85 studies with recruitment

Cancer

Dr Richard Kaczmarski
Consultant Haematologist — The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Specialty Lead for Cancer — CRN North West London

"CRN North West London funding has enabled us to overcome the challenges of cancer trials with increasing complexity, aimed at specific patient populations, with complex multi-drug combinations, pharmacy requirements and the associated biomarker studies."

Over 10 years in Cancer research in North West London:

• 36,451 participants recruited
• 640 studies with recruitment

Primary Care

CRN North West London has increased activity year on year in Primary Care research, largely due to developing and changing models to better align with clinical care.

Local GP engagement in 2014 was among the lowest in the country but is now the highest.

Dr David Mummery
GP and Clinical Specialty Lead for Primary Care — CRN North West London

"In Primary Care over the last few years an ‘at scale’ research model has been developed with North West London GP federations and networks, and over 90% of North West London GP practices are research active, which has been consistently the highest in England.

"We also have had a very productive partnership with Imperial SCARU (Self Care Academic Research Unit) and the North West London Research Trailblazer Group, which has developed many new studies from the frontline of clinical General Practice, one example being an important research study regarding domestic violence."

Over 10 years in Primary Care research in North West London:

• 80,695 participants recruited
• 148 studies with recruitment

Studies in the spotlight

Atlas CT3

The first sexual health study delivered at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) — Atlas CT3 — was supported by the CRN North West London.

Simon Lewis, Head of Research and Development at CLCH, said: "The support of the CRN workforce with their experience of supporting community research enabled us to mobilise a research-naive clinical delivery team into one which became independently able to support and recruit to the study. CLCH comfortably exceeded our target of 100 patients against the odds and embedded a research culture within the clinical team to do further studies."

Fast Forward

This study changed breast radiotherapy from 25 fractions to only five, reducing patient and NHS time.

Import High

This Phase III study demonstrated advanced breast radiotherapy techniques such as ‘hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost’ reduced tumour relapse and pushed the adoption of this practice across the UK.

Stampede

This study revolutionised prostate cancer treatment. Running since 2005, it recruited over 11,000 patients and influenced 29 changes in clinical practice worldwide. The trial demonstrated that the chemotherapy drug docetaxel improves survival for people with early prostate cancer.

Prostagram

This cancer imaging study demonstrated that a simplified non-invasive MRI scan was more effective as a screening tool for early prostate cancer and will lead to a follow on national study.

LOLIPOP

This study is an international research study designed to prevent the high risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer among South Asian people.

Each participant is offered a health assessment including anthropometry, blood pressure, ECG, blood and urine sample, eye (retina) photography and physical activity wristband tracker. Following the assessment each participant will also receive a comprehensive report of the findings.

To date, more than 31,000 participants, identified in primary care from across North West London, have participated in this research study. By collecting this information from thousands of people it will help us find out why diseases may affect some people more than others. This can help transform the health of South Asians worldwide.

REMAP-CAP

Originally set up to tackle pandemics, REMAP-CAP was a key trial for COVID-19 and is now exploring multiple interventions for community-acquired pneumonia.

The CRN played a crucial role in supporting the delivery of the study during the pandemic. "We were very happy with the support with REMAP-CAP during COVID-19", says Janis Best-Lane, Clinical Trials Manager.

GenOMICC

GenOMICC is an open collaborative, global community of scientists and doctors trying to understand and treat critical illness. It is the largest study of its kind anywhere in the world and is supported locally by the CRN North West London.

Fiona Griffiths, GenOMICC Study Co-ordinator at The Roslin Institute, Midlothian, said: "We can't overstate how important this partnership is to us, and how much our expansion and development has been, in part, due to the support of the Network. Support has ranged from help with one-off tasks such as offering guidance on the completion of the SoECAT, to longer term support in engaging with new research sites, hosting study wide calls and managing research accruals.

"During the pandemic, the Network stepped in to help support the rapid procurement of translated study documents, so we could reach an even wider group of patients. With their help, GenOMICC has recruited more than 32,000 patients and healthy control volunteers, and already shown that genetic signals can translate directly into new, effective treatments for critical illness. It is now the largest consented critical care research study in the world, and discovered 75% of the genetic variants associated with critical COVID-19. It's a pleasure to interact with the NIHR CRN, where it is apparent that there is a motivated team with a collective vision of supporting research."

Infrastructure and engagement

Study Support Service

The Study Support Service has provided a dedicated single point of contact to support our stakeholders throughout the life of a study, from when they apply for grants to when studies are closed to recruitment.

Pictured: Current members of the Study Support Service team (not all team members present). From left to right: Sukamal Das (Research Facilitator), Sokol Shala (Research Facilitator), Latha Aravindan (Senior Research Operations Manager), Mihaela Sutu (Head of Study Support Services / Research Delivery Manager), Hatty Bird (Research Facilitator), Dean Leighton (Senior Research Facilitator).

Testimonials for the Study Support Service

Dr Christina Prechtl
Clinical Operations Manager and Dietitian — Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, Imperial College London

"The CRN has been a tremendous help for our unit. They support us with complex costing queries all the way from grant development stage to the running of our clinical trials. They are extremely responsive whenever we come up with any issues. Also, for one of our trials they helped us connect with other CRNs in the country to set up PIC sites within a very short space of time. Their communication is excellent and we look forward to working with them on many other projects in the future.

"A big shout out to Latha, Sokol and Tyrra who I personally worked with. They are super approachable, and their knowledge and expertise is second to none!"

Professor Hashim U. Ahmed
Consultant Urological Surgeon — Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

"It has been a pleasure to work with the CRN team both at study inception and grant application through to study set up and delivery. They have been very responsive and collaborative in their approach and I am ever grateful for their ongoing support."

History of the Study Support Service

The team was initially set up as the Research Management and Governance Team to support local study set-up, including capacity and capability assessment and confirmation. Since 2016 it has evolved to form the Research Facilitation Team, providing study support services.

The merger of the non-commercial and Industry teams to form a single team in 2021 helped to deliver an efficient and streamlined process for all studies. CRN North West London is one of the few networks across the country with an integrated study support service team.

Chief Investigators and study teams have access to a dedicated single point of contact within the team who supports the study from grant application to end of study recruitment period across all aspects of study setup and delivery.

Study Support Service in numbers

• More than 700 Early Contact and Engagement conversations
• Trained more than 290 research staff
• Authorised 450 multicentre SoECATs (Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool)
• Supported investigators in more than 800 studies
• Helped to recruit over 1200 participants to three major vaccine studies after getting involved with pre-screening during the COVID-19 pandemic

Business Intelligence

The Business Intelligence (BI) team provides support in data and reporting for the local and national CRN and its partners. Over the years the team helped to embed the NIHR Google Workspace, Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS), the Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS), and numerous bespoke data systems for Industry, Study Support Service, PPIE, Strategic Workforce, Direct Delivery and Primary Care teams, as well as teams in partner organisations.

They continue to innovate and are transitioning to fully self-service reporting and enhanced research intelligence data to our stakeholders.

Team members often act as subject matter experts, training and mentoring colleagues who are interested in BI. The team was expanded and structures updated in 2022 to acknowledge growing knowledge and expertise.

Pictured: Current members of the Business Intelligence team (not all team members present). From left to right: Conor Ryan (Information Manager) and Greg Mickiewicz (Head of Business Intelligence).

Commercial Portfolio and Clinical Trials Alliance

Pictured: Patient with healthcare professionals, taking part in research supported by the Alliance.

5-fold increase in recruitment

Recruitment to commercial studies has grown year-on-year with approximately 1,500 participants in 2014/15 to 3,500 in 2022/23 and 7,500 in 2023/24.

New partnerships

The Alliance attracted the partnership of Roche in 2023 for their ‘Advancing Inclusive Research’ programme that aims to improve research participation in our diverse communities.

Alliance shortlisted for national award

The North West London Clinical Trials Alliance was shortlisted for the New Statesman’s inaugural Positive Impact Awards in 2022, in recognition of its contribution to healthcare research.

A comment from the Alliance lead

Dr Suki Balendra
Director of Strategic Partnerships — Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

"The North West London Clinical Trials Alliance was created to bring together the staff at clinical research facilities and primary care settings to help deliver a number of urgent COVID-19 vaccine studies. The Alliance has supported over 12 studies sponsored by 10 different companies and recruited over 1,600 participants in the region. This model is now being applied to other disease areas post-pandemic, and is an integral feature that attracts commercial sponsors to the region."

Strategic Workforce

The Strategic Workforce team:

• predominantly supports studies in secondary care settings, but go where they are needed most, including non-NHS and primary care settings
• provides fixed term support to study teams to ensure they meet their recruitment targets
• is made up of research nurses and clinical research practitioners who have extensive experience in supporting both academic and commercial studies
• have varied clinical skills including phlebotomy, ECG and spirometry

Pictured: Members of the Strategic Workforce team (not all team members present). From left to right: Krystle Thomas Vedat (Senior Clinical Research Facilitator), Beth Card (Strategic Workforce Team Leader), Pat Daly (Senior Clinical Studies Officer), Tara Harvey (Strategic Workforce Manager), Uche Nwanguma (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner), Komal Lal (Senior Outreach Research Midwife), Lauren Whitestone (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner), Niamh McGowan (Senior Research Nurse), Chloë Wood (Strategic Workforce Team Leader), Ikenna Ohanenye (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner).

Testimonial for the Strategic Workforce

Myril Mariveles
Lead Research Nurse and PRRT Manager - Cardiovascular — Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

"Congratulations to the Strategic Workforce on their 10th anniversary! We have engaged the support of the workforce for several of our research studies and have had a positive experience with the team. The staff seamlessly integrate themselves within our team and consistently deliver quality service. Their collaborative and reliable work has significantly contributed to the success of our research delivery."

History of the Strategic Workforce

Established in September 2014, the Strategic Workforce enabled staff to move around the region to areas of greatest need to offer support with recruitment. The team was initially known as the Flexible Workforce and included one team leader and three research practitioners.

The allocation process has been streamlined over the years so support can be accessed quickly, sometimes with as little as 48 hours notice.

Strategic Workforce in numbers

• Average of 50 support requests per year through the formal request form
• Team now has 13 members of staff — a manager, two team leaders and 10 delivery staff
• The team recruited into 60 studies during 2023/24

Primary and Community Care

Primary Care

Established in 2015, the Primary Care team support the delivery of studies running in Primary Care settings. They have since gone on to support studies in community settings.

Pictured: Current members of the Primary Care team (not all team members present). From left to right: Martynas Stonkus (Clinical Studies Officer), Antoinette McNulty (Deputy Research Delivery Manager), Wan Sze (Fancy) SHUM (Research Nurse).

Direct Delivery Team

Established in 2021, the Direct Delivery Team are allocated to non-NHS studies as a priority.

They are embedded in Local Authorities (LAs) for part of their working week, enabling the team to:

• increase awareness of the NIHR and existing research opportunities
• link public health and social care practitioners with NIHR initiatives such as the Trailblazer group to discuss co-production of research related to areas of high priority
• allow staff to gain a better understanding of how each of our LAs work
• look at specific training needs for public health and social care practitioners
• strengthen our outreach into schools, dentists and care homes within each of the LAs

Pictured: Current members of the Direct Delivery Team. From left to right: Jemima Hepburne-Scott (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner), Prital Patel (Senior Research Practitioner), Dr Arti Sharma (Research Team Leader), Marcelle Costa Marinho (Senior Research Nurse).

Areas of focus for the Direct Delivery Team

• Care homes
• Dental practices
• Local Authorities
• Schools
• Homelessness

Schools Research Network

Studies have been delivered in all areas of focus for the Direct Delivery Team, with particular success in schools.

The North West London Schools Research Network is a collaboration between local schools and four organisations:

• CRN North West London
• Imperial College London
• Listen To Act
• NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Northwest London

These close relationships have led to a number of studies recruiting from schools. With a focus on the health and wellbeing of children and young people, school children can learn about different types of research and gain skills and confidence at an early age.

Trailblazer Group

The North West London Research Trailblazer Group (RTBG) launched three years ago to support GPs and allied health professionals to develop studies relevant to our local population.

The RTBG is headed up Dr Austen El-Osta, director of the Self-Care Academic Research Group at Imperial College London, and Dr David Mummery, specialty lead for Primary Care at the CRN North West London.

A number of studies produced by the group have been successfully funded and included in the NIHR CRN Portfolio, and a number of studies are in development.

Testimonials from partners

Hammersmith and Fulham Council

Our partnership has impacted the broader research landscape, resulting in:

• greater opportunities for local residents to take part in research via the portfolio and at the same time, the partnership has been able to ‘prime pump’ studies through funding initial studies as well as allocating staff to work on studies to develop the evidence base
• promotion of training and funding opportunities that will benefit local residents

Hammersmith and Fulham Partnership Group

Our partnership has impacted the broader research landscape, resulting in:

• significant shift from specialist to primary care settings for research delivery aligning with the NIHR Primary Care strategy and meeting objectives of the O’Shaughnessy report
• equal partnership in major bids for funding with specialists in hospital vaccine innovation pathway, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative
• evaluation of clinical processes (fibroscanning in primary care) and new drugs (commercial trials) and repurposing of current drugs (academic trials)

Laila Bana
Teacher — William Perkin High School

"A group of my Year 12 students have been participating in the Imperial SCAMP project that was first advertised to us in the Schools Research Network newsletter — we hosted a data collection session at our school and it went really well. It’s been an excellent opportunity for our pupils."

Communications and PPIE

Pictured: Laura Mitchell (PPIE Manager), centre, with PPIE colleagues at a sickle cell research event.

Pictured from left to right: Zara Prem (Senior Clinical Studies Officer) and Stuart Blackburn (Communications Manager).

Research Champions and Community Champions

Several public research champions have volunteered for us over the years. During and following the COVID-19 pandemic our community engagement significantly increased with approximately 10-15 active voluntary community champions at any one time.

They have had a significant impact in building trust and advocating the importance of taking part in research.

In the last two years we have also added four Community Champions as part of the Research Ready Communities programme.

Pictured from top to bottom: Asmahan Nouman and Hagir Mohammed (Community Champions).

Participant in Research Experience Survey

The Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) is a valuable tool for gathering feedback from research participants. Take a look at a snapshot of what we have heard from them.

• 88% would consider taking part in research again
• 85% felt valued for taking part

What PRES respondents say

"The team was very friendly and the operation ran smoothly."

"I thought it was very well organised and a good experience."

"Calm and friendly medical staff always made me feel welcome and valued."

"The nurses carrying it out have been fantastic."

How and what we communicate

We’ve adapted and improved our communications over the past 10 years to engage with our stakeholders.

Channels

We use social media, newsletters, media relations and online platforms to reach our audiences.

Content

We share news, successes, opportunities and personal stories. Take a look at Zabeen’s story below. Zabeen is a research participant in our region.

Participant story

Taking part in research to break the cycle of heart conditions in my family

People who can see a history of heart conditions in their family will often be at higher risk of developing similar health problems themselves.

Zabeen, a nurse from London, has seen this pattern play out in her own family. "My mother passed away at the young age of 64 from heart disease, and my father lived with angina and died at 75," Zabeen said.

"My sister, who lives in Mauritius, had blocked arteries and has been through a triple bypass surgery. Thankfully she is doing well now. And my son is very strict with his diet but has high cholesterol.

"So when I was asked to take part in research I thought it would be a good way to help."

Zabeen was attending an appointment at West Middlesex University Hospital, part of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, when she first heard about the research study she is now participating in.

The opportunity to take part is a chance to break the cycle and help not only in her own family, but others too, Zabeen believes.

The trial is testing the effectiveness of a drug called Obicetrapib in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is a type of heart disease that causes high levels of cholesterol build up.

"My visits took a little longer because whenever I go to the hospital my blood pressure shoots up", Zabeen says.

"Recently the doctor put me on a couch, switched off the light and told me to relax. So then it gradually went down. I was telling myself to relax because I knew I was in good hands."

Thanks to this gentle approach from staff, Zabeen is happy to attend her research appointments, and doesn’t find that it takes too much time out of her busy life. There have been some mild side effects, such as nausea, but Zabeen says it didn’t last long.

The benefits of taking part have gone beyond Zabeen’s initial aim to help future generations, with the extra health checks being a welcome addition. "You get frequent blood checks, which is beneficial to myself as they can find any abnormalities and it can be treated. It's also an opportunity to speak to doctors and nurses to get advice," she explained. Conversations with staff have gone beyond heart conditions too, leading to an asthma diagnosis which is now being treated.

Zabeen is keen to spread the word about research and encourage others to find out more about it. "I would encourage anybody to take part because the outcomes will be beneficial to everybody around the globe. I feel safe because I’m surrounded by doctors and nurses who will take the necessary steps if I have any difficulties. So yes, why not?".

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Pictured from top to bottom: Dr Keerti Gedela (EDI Lead) and Dr Richard Wong (Programme Manager).

EDI framework for positive action

Through shared learning and discussions within our EDI working group, a practical Consensus Framework for positive action was developed and published. This framework integrates EDI into clinical trial design, protocols, and implementation, with the aim of establishing accountable clinical research systems that are trustworthy to the public and accessible to diverse communities across North West London. It serves as a central resource, highlighting excellent practice across the region, and providing key context and resources for training.

Build trust in the community

Engagement initiatives via our PPIE and primary and social care teams has informed both our understanding of health, research, access, and health literacy; and our methods to build trust and prioritise research (through design and delivery) in the community. For example, our research champions, health roadshows and the 'Research Heroes' study — a survey designed to identify barriers to research participation and the types of studies that mattered most to underserved groups.

Use data to support inclusive research

In partnership with Imperial College Health Partners and our BI team, the CRN is able to access near real-time anonymised primary, secondary, tertiary and social care data for ~2.7m people and provide an on-request feasibility service to better target research for underserved communities.

Comment from our EDI Lead

Dr Keerti Gedela
Consultant in HIV and sexual health medicine — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Lead for EDI — CRN North West London

"We recognise the urgent need to increase research participation from underserved communities and establish trustworthy, accountable research processes that involve underserved communities from the outset. Strategy and data-driven initiatives have been developed, utilising excellence from our highly active and successful NHS trusts, primary and social care networks, school networks, data teams, the ICS, industry groups; while also enabling the power of community collaboration through meaningful PPIE and partnership working."

Learning and Development

Pictured from top to bottom: Anne Price (Workforce Development and Learning Manager) and Dr Sam Hayton (Deputy Chief Operating Officer / Workforce Development Lead).

• 14 all-staff events — opportunities for sharing, learning and planning
• Steering group — an opportunity to discuss and implement learning and development
• Pan-London Workforce Group — collaborating to ensure the needs of the entire region are met
• Virtual learning — applied to practice long term after experience during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Flipped classroom approach to training — pioneered in North West London
• 14,000 hours of training to 3,386 delegates
• More than 100 members of staff have used our induction website
• Supported learners from all 15 LCRNs and devolved nations
• 132 Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs) on the CRP Directory and 20 registered CRPs across North West London
• 178 applications to the Associate PI Scheme

Wellbeing

Promoting the wellbeing of our staff is a core commitment of CRN North West London. Over the years, we have implemented a number of initiatives supporting staff wellbeing at work.

• Wellbeing working group formed to promote personal and workplace wellbeing
• Switch off and self-care sessions — forum to encourage staff to take care of their wellbeing
• Reader sessions — reading stories aloud as a group to prompt discussions
• Confidential support for individuals who request it
• Wellbeing on the Resource Hub — a place for staff to find tools to support them

Looking to the future

Regimantas Pestininkas
Chief Operating Officer — NIHR Clinical Research Network North West London

As we reflect on the past decade of remarkable achievements by CRN North West London and its partners, it is evident that our commitment to fostering robust partnerships and driving innovation has significantly advanced health and care research in North West London. Our contributions have not only resulted in impressive recruitment figures and groundbreaking studies but have also played a vital role in supporting the wider NIHR mission of increasing the health and wealth of the nation. The dedication and resilience demonstrated by our teams, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, have set a high standard for what is possible when a community of researchers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers come together with a shared vision.

Looking ahead, the establishment of the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) marks a pivotal moment for health and social care research across England. Building on the solid foundation laid by the NIHR CRN, the new network promises to enhance our research capabilities even further. Together with the other eleven Regional RDNs, North London RRDN will operate as a single, efficient, and innovative organisation. This transition from the CRN to the RDN is an exciting opportunity to evolve the Network and meet the demands of the future, making it an even more customer-focused organisation that creates value for our partners, patients, and the public.

The North London RRDN will serve a population of 5.7 million, accounting for 10% of England's population. Being one of the country’s most diverse regions, we are uniquely positioned to drive efforts to reach out to underserved communities, ensuring that research is accessible to all and contributing to the reduction of health inequalities. The new network will facilitate collaborations with new partners, enhancing our ability to deliver innovative and impactful research. Our region boasts one of the strongest research infrastructures in the world, featuring world-class universities, numerous NIHR organisations, state-of-the-art facilities, 22 NHS Trusts, 20 boroughs, more than 900 GP practices, three Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), and a wide range of community and social care organisations.

The focus on commercial research is particularly exciting, as it opens new avenues for collaboration with the life sciences industry and reinforces the UK's position as a global leader in health research. Our existing partnerships with the life sciences industry in North West London and those in the North Thames CRN region will be instrumental in this effort. Because of our existing partnerships, excellent infrastructure, and unparalleled reputation, the success of the national vision will be heavily dependent on the success of our region. By implementing the recommendations of the Lord O’Shaughnessy review, we will enhance our ability to attract and conduct high-quality commercial studies. This not only drives economic benefits, as illustrated in this report, but also accelerates the development and availability of cutting-edge treatments and interventions for patients.

Personally, I am immensely proud to have been part of this extraordinary journey. The relationships we have built over the years are deeply cherished, and the collective achievements of our network fill me with pride and optimism for the future. As we embark on this new chapter, our dedication to excellence, innovation, and inclusion remains unwavering. The future of clinical research in London and across the UK is bright, and we are poised to continue making significant contributions to the health and well-being of our communities. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have been part of this incredible journey and look forward to the next decade of discovery, collaboration, and impact.

Team photos

Please enjoy a selection of photos of our colleagues in North West London past and present.

Thank you to all who contributed to research in North West London over the past 10 years.

Pictured: Core team at the CRN North West London (not all team members present).

Visit us online for more information about the CRN North West London.