Useful links

The National Institute for Health Research

This site includes information about health research and development, whether you want to apply for funding, view calls for proposals, understand the processes required for gaining ethics approvals or know more about the facilities and research networks provided by the NHS.

View the updated 'Best Research for Best Health' strategy implementation plans, and find out more about the NIHR work streams and 'arms length' programmes, and read the latest news from the Institute.

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

This site is host to the Scottish Network for Clinical Effectiveness and Practice Development in Radiography. The group, which is currently seeking additional representatives, aims to communicate and share best practice to provide a dynamic, evidence-based and quality service in Scotland.

MRC

The Medical Research Council is a national organisation funded by the taxpayer. Their aim is to promote research into all areas of medical and related science, with the aims of improving the health and quality of the UK public.

RCUK

Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership through which the UK’s eight Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support. 
The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK, with interests ranging from bio-medicine and particle physics to the environment, engineering and economic research.

BIR Information Centre

The BIR Information Centre provides services to BIR Members and to members of the College of Radiographers, the Royal College of Radiologists and the British Medical Ultrasound Society. It incorporates a reference library available, upon request and at the Manager's discretion, to anyone with a need for information about radiology and its allied sciences. For further information check the website.

UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)

The UKCRC brings together the major stakeholders that influence  clinical research in the UK and particularly in the NHS. The Collaboration includes representatives from: the main funding bodies for clinical research in the UK; academic medicine; the NHS; regulatory bodies; representatives from industry and patients.

UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN)

The UKCRN forms one of the key components of the UKCRC. It was developed to support clinical research and to facilitate the conduct of randomised prospective trials of interventions and other studies. It is initially supporting the development of six Topic Specific Research Networks in the fields of cancer, dementias and neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, medicines for children, mental health and stroke https://www.ukcrc.org/about-the-ukcrc/ukcrc-stakeholders/

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Working with clinical bodies, NICE systematically appraises health interventions before they are introduced in the Health Service. It offers clinicians clear guidelines on which treatments work best for patients, and which do not.

Council for Allied Health Professions Research (CAHPR)

CAHPR develops AHP research, strengthens evidence of value and impact, and enhances patient care.

National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)

NCRI aims to challenge the way cancer research is carried out in the UK. It is a partnership of the major cancer research funding bodies from the Government, charity and private sectors. Its purpose is to accelerate and advance cancer research for the benefit of patients and the UK cancer research community

INVOLVE (formerly Consumers in NHS Research)

INVOLVE aims to ensure that public involvement in Research and Development in the NHS, public health and social care improves. The way that decisions are made about what should be a priority for research; the way that research is commissioned (chosen and funded); the way that research is carried out; and the way that research findings are communicated.

The Institute of Cancer Research

Section of Academic Radiotherapy and Department of Radiotherapy (including Psychology Research Group).

The Health Foundation

The Health Foundation believes that leadership is central to improving the quality of healthcare. Currently they offer numerous award schemes which provide personalised coaching and development.

The Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust is an independent charity funding research to improve human and animal health. Established in 1936 and with an endowment of about £11 billion, it is the UKs largest non-governmental source of funds for biomedical research.

NICE e-newsletter

View the latest NICE e-newsletter or register online for the latest edition to be delivered direct to your mailbox automatically.

AHP Bulletin

All members who may be considering undertaking research are urged to subscribe to the AHP Bulletin.
The monthly newsletter addresses matters related to the organisation and delivery of AHP services and includes items of direct interest to AHP staff.

To receive the bulletin by email, send your details to [email protected]. Clicking on this link will give you access to a pre-addressed email. Please include: your name, job title, organisation, full postal address (including postcode), telephone and fax numbers and email address.

The Cancer Specialist Library

The Cancer Specialist Library was set up by the NHS to help radiographers and other health professionals find the clinical information they need.
Part of the National Library for Health (NLH), the online resource offers information about prevention, tests and treatment – or statistics, the latest guidance and patient information.

National Centre for Research Methods – ReStore

ReStore is ‘a repository of online research methods resources which preserves, sustains and actively maintains web resources’ developed as part of Economic and Social Research Council funding.

This online facility aims to provide a resource for researchers who may not be able to attend training, in addition to forming a repository of social science knowledge.

A number of the online methods resources have been restored into the ReStore repository and there is a variety of information available which may be valuable to researchers, especially those working with a social science perspective.

Visit www.restore.ac.uk for more details.

Allied Health Professions Research Network

The Allied Health Professions' Research Network (AHPRN) supports research development and its integration into practice. The AHPRN is available to anyone interested in research related to the Allied Health Professions and has now taken the place of the National Physiotherapy Research Network (NPRN).

The research experiences of nurses, midwives and AHPs 

Find out about the experience of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in research. The researchers talked to 45 NMAHPs from across the UK who talked about their research activities, working with colleagues, supporting patients and career progression.

Clinical Academic Training Pathway Video

A video has been uploaded onto to the NHS Careers website which highlights the positive impact of training clinical academics on patient experience and the NHS. It features three clinicians (two nurses and one AHP) talking about their clinical academic training and career pathways.

Practical advice on how to formulate a research proposal, from National Cancer Research Institute

Radiological Research Trust

The trust raises funds and distributes grants for research and education in medical imaging.

Good research resource hub – UKRI

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) launched in April 2018. UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.

Scottish Research Radiographers Forum

Rationale

Within Scotland there are five cancer centres providing radiotherapy treatment to its population. The geographical location, size and technology of these centres vary significantly, with this variety of differences leading to different challenges.

Following a Scottish Radiotherapy Research Forum (ScoRRF) meeting in October 2011, it was agreed that a radiographer sub-group would be formed to help communication throughout Scottish departments. This would have a view to increasing research activity.

The Scottish Radiographer Research Forum will provide enhanced communication throughout departments. This would be done by registering a special interests group (SIG) supported by the Society of Radiographers (SoR).

Terms of Reference

1. The purpose of the Scottish Radiographer Research Group is to implement, develop, research and disseminate radiotherapy advances and lead to improving radiotherapy treatments for patients with cancer.
2. The group will encourage and initiate collaborative research.
3. The group will explore avenues of funding to support collaborative research.
4. Core membership of the Scottish Radiographer Research Group will comprise therapy radiographers nominated to represent each Scottish department.  A representative from the Society of Radiographers (SoR) will also be included in correspondence. Further evolution of the group will be reviewed.
5. The core group will participate in electronic communication frequently to discuss ongoing projects and developments. This will allow a forum for expertise and support to be sought and/or given.
6. Where members are attending relevant meetings or conferences together, meetings can be arranged to coincide with this.
7. Postgraduate students carrying out radiotherapy related projects will be invited to join the group for the duration of their research degree.
8. The core group will be chaired by a Research Radiographer in the first instance who will ensure group discussion is regular, ie, monthly. To be reviewed.

Membership

• Membership of the Scottish Radiographers Research Forum will be free.
• The group will be self-funding. Individual members will be expected to cover their own expenses and to contribute as appropriate to group projects.
• The group will be registered as a Special Interest Group (SIG) on the SoR website. This will be kept up-to-date using the SIG area of the website.

Meetings

TBA once the group is established – minutes will be recorded.

The group will produce an annual report which will highlight activity and summarise achievements.