National Networks

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Research Network operates as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) in England. The organisations described below were set up by the Department of Health (DOH) to address the lack of strategy & coordination that existed within research prior to 2000.

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

The goal of the NIHR is to create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The NHS reputation for international excellence is growing as it gains recognition for being the preferred host for collaborative and multi-centred research in the public interest in partnership with and for industry. This will benefit patients, society, the NHS and all our stakeholders. The NIHR will work with key partners involved in the different elements of NHS research.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre (NIHR CRN CC)

The NIHR CRN CC is the English branch of the four networks that make up the UK Clinical Research Network. As part of the NIHR, its role is to provide the infrastructure that allows high-quality clinical research to take place in the NHS, thus enabling patients to benefit from new and better treatments.  

National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)

The NCRI is a UK-wide partnership between the government, charity and industry which promotes co-operation in cancer research among the 21 member organisations for the benefit of patients, the public and the scientific community.

The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN)

The LSCCRN is one of 32 local cancer research networks working as part of the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN).  The NCRN local research networks and the national Coordinating Centre are part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) clinical research networks infrastructure, which was established by the Department of Health and aims are to improve the speed, quality and integration of research into NHS practice, ultimately resulting in improved patient care.  Particular attention is given to increasing the recruitment of patients into clinical trials in cancer.

Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRN)

More recently, CLRN’s have been established across England to provide the infrastructure to support study involvement at local level. They coordinate and facilitate the conduct of clinical research and provide support into a range of studies across all disease sites (‘topics’). Advice and support regarding Information Governance is also provided by the CLRN.