Research links
Here is a compilation of links to information provided by local and national organisations:
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) networks and centres
- Government departments and agencies
- Non departmental public bodies
- Cancer research charities
- Trial and treatment information
- Patient and Public Involvement and further information
Local trusts
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) networks and centres
NIHR
The goal of the National Institute for Health Research (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.
NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre
The NIHR CRN CC supports clinical research studies in the NHS. The NIHR CRN CC manages six Topic Specific Research Networks, a Primary Care Research Network and the Comprehensive Research Network.
NIHR Research Design Service for the NW
The NIHR RDS NW provides free advice on research design to researchers in the North West who are developing proposals for national, peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research.
NHS R&D Forum
The NHS R&D Forum is a network for those involved in planning and managing research in health and social care. Its aim is to improve the environment for research in health and social care by facilitating and encouraging sharing of best practice, and working with other organisations.
Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRN)
The CCRN is made up of 25 Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs) which cover the whole of England by region. These locally based Research Networks coordinate and facilitate the conduct of clinical research and provide a wide range of support to the local research community.
The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
The NCRN was established by the Department of Health in April 2001 to provide the NHS with an infrastructure to support prospective trials of cancer treatments and other well-designed studies and to integrate and support research undertaken by cancer charities. Its aim is to improve the speed, quality and integration of research, ultimately resulting in improved patient care. NCRN funding is allocated to networks to appoint research staff, to access pharmacy, pathology, radiology and other areas of support, such as information systems and training, all of which are integral to high quality research.
Cumbria & Lancashire Comprehensive Local Research Network
The Cumbria and Lancashire Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) is one of 25 CLRNs across England which forms part of the NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research Network (CCRN). CCRN provides support for clinical trials and other well designed studies in all areas of disease and clinical need.
Government departments and agencies
Department of Health (DH)
The Department of Health sets national standards and shapes the direction of the NHS and social care services, and promotes healthier living.
Non departmental public bodies
National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)
NCRI is a partnership between the government, charity and industry which promotes co-operation among the 21 member organisations and beyond for the benefit of patients, the public and the scientific community.
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Nice is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health
Medical Research Council (MRC)
The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) is a national organisation funded by the UK taxpayer, which promotes research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public.
National Research Ethics Service (NRES)
The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) is part of the National Patient Safety Agency and provides help and leadership for Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and the REC system by coordinating the development of operational and infrastructure arrangements in support of their work.
Cancer research charities
Cancer Help
Reliable, easy to understand patient information from Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
The world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation
The charity that provides additional facilities and equipment for patients being treated at the Cancer Centre in Preston and the local Cancer Units throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria. The Rosemere Cancer Foundation also funds vital local research, helping to provide the very best care possible for patients across the region.
Trial and treatment information
The James Lind Library
Explaining and illustrating the development of fair tests of treatments in healthcare.
The Cochrane Collaboration
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international not-for-profit and independent organization, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
MRC Clinical Trials Unit
The Medical Research Council’s Clinical Trials Unit is one of the UK’s leading centres for clinical research. They specialise in cancer and HIV/AIDS, but we also undertake research in other areas, including rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and mental health.
NHS Evidence
NHS Evidence allows everyone working in health and social care to access a wide range of health information to help them deliver quality patient care
NHS Choices
NHS Choices provides information for the public about the NHS and about health conditions, including information about medical research.
Patient and Public Involvement and further information
Involve
INVOLVE is a national advisory group which supports greater public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.
North West People in Research Forum
The North West People in Research Forum is an organisation which is devoted to supporting patient and public involvement (PPI) and public engagement (PE) in health research in the North West.
People in Research
People in Research is a web-based resource managed by INVOLVE for members of the public who are looking for opportunities to get involved in research. The website has a searchable database of research organisations that are looking for people who are willing to participate in the different stages of the research process. It has been developed by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, INVOLVE and others.
Healthtalkonline
This website is run by the DIPEx charity, it allows members of the public to share in other people's experiences of health and illness. Visitors can watch or listen to videos of the interviews, read about people's experiences and find reliable information about conditions, treatment choices and support.
The Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Research Network are not responsible for the content of the links, or other websites connected with.








