Research Response to COVID-19
We encourage all research staff to follow the latest guidance from CNTW, Public Health England and the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus. We are closely following the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Health Research Authority (HRA) guidance on how to appropriately manage our research activity, as well as communicating with the national R&D steering Groups.
R&D Priorities during COVID-19 are as follows:
- Protecting participants and staff
- Protecting study integrity
- Supporting wider hospital, clinical and research communities
- Maintaining recruitment, treatment and follow-up of research participants where safe and logistically possible
CNTW have successfully worked to maintain our research portfolio throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our research staff have also worked regionally with other NHS organisations to offer support to Urgent Public Health studies, as well as being part of regional Urgent Public Health and Vaccine Management Groups.
Research Guidance
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, CNTW have implemented a COVID-19 Research Guide outlining the requirements to continue research, and to restart those studies which have been temporarily suspended during the pandemic. Restart Risk Assessment Forms are available for both sponsored and hosted studies. This process has been implemented so each study can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to identify any potential risks, providing assurance that research can continue to be delivered safely while providing the best level of care to our patients. It is the responsibility of the Sponsor, Chief Investigator and Principal Investigator at site to assess that these requirements are met before restarting/starting a study.
Wherever possible, site selection, training and initiation visits should be completed remotely. If these must take place on site then Trust guidance should be followed to minimise any risks to researchers, patients, and staff.
The CNTW Research Delivery Team continue to work hard to support as many NIHR portfolio studies as possible. However, regional resource and capacity may necessitate prioritisation of NIHR funded support, including the NIHR funded workforce within CNTW. Any studies categorised as Urgent Public Health (UPH) studies are an NIHR priority.
Further guidance on conducting research during COVID-19 can also be found from the HRA, the MHRA, and the NIHR.