Highlights in this bulletin

Please select the links below to navigate to the content you want to see. Alternatively you can scroll down to read all the content included in this bulletin:

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Audit 

The first CRP CPD audit is likely to start in March 2025.  This will involve auditing 3% of CRPs who have been registered for a year or more. Registered CRPs will be randomly selected for audit.  

If your contact details have changed since you originally registered as a CRP, please update these now.

You can read more about the audit process on the AHCS website.

Upcoming Events

The CRP Employer Event 14th March 2025   9.30 - 4pm at Pax Lodge London NW3

North London & South London RRDNs in collaboration with UCLH, GSST, Royal Free NHS Trusts are hosting an Employer Event to support the recruitment and development of CRPs. 

We would like suggestions from CRPs about which Senior Leaders in NHS Trusts you would like to be invited. We are hoping to attract an audience of senior leaders nationally who are keen to recruit, support and develop CRPs in their Trust, but would like help and support.

Please get in touch with deirdre.brooking@nihr.ac.uk 

Virtual event Could you be a research delivery leader? 12th March 2025 12.30pm to 2.00pm

Registration is now open 

Learn more about applying for our Master’s level clinical research delivery leadership qualifications at this event.

• Suitable for all healthcare professionals who have no or limited research experience and those currently working in research delivery.

• All courses are designed for part time learning to fit around busy schedules.

• All courses consist of theory-based online learning modules and a research practice experience module. The ‘research practice’ module helps students to develop their skills and expertise by working on research projects alongside experienced mentors.

What the event will cover: 

You’ll learn about each of the qualifications that are available and how the courses are delivered. 

Further information, together with our event  registration form can be found on the event home page.

You can also register your details with us to receive updates about the qualifications, such as course application deadlines. 

We will provide a further update in the next bulletin.

CRP Experiences in Practice 

Georgia Melia’s CRP experience and achievements

I began working as a Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) at Nottingham University Hospitals in 2020. As a result of Covid-19, my introduction to working in clinical research was intense yet inspiring. I was able to learn and implement many clinical and research skills in a short space of time.

I was amongst the first CRPs to join the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) accredited register in 2021 when it opened. Since then, I have worked alongside the AHCS and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through advisory groups to promote registration and advocate for the CRP profession.

I have offered 1-1 and group sessions to support CRPs across the country to help achieve their registration. I have also delivered a number of presentations at conferences, trusts and regional events across the country over the last four years, highlighting the CRP role and opportunities for development. In 2023, I was pleased to have my commitment and dedication to the CRP profession recognised through a nomination at the UK’s Advancing Healthcare Awards where I was shortlisted in the CRP leadership category.

In 2022, I was one of the first CRPs in the country to be accepted on the Health Education England/NIHR pre-doctoral bridging programme hosted by the University of Nottingham. The programme provided a year of funded time to create a PhD application as well as undertake a literature review and small scale research project.

I am pleased to say that in 2024 I went on to successfully gain funding from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands to undertake a full-time PhD in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre. It has been great to hear from other CRPs interested in pursuing the academic pathway and to support colleagues in their development towards this. You can read more about my academic development here.

I’m proud to lead the delivery of our research portfolio at the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre as a CRP and have worked hard to embed research firmly within our clinical practice. I have done this through producing displays for clinical areas, providing research teaching sessions for clinicians, creating and circulating a quarterly research newsletter and supporting clinicians on a one to one basis to explore their own research ideas.

I firmly believe CRPs are crucial to the success of clinical research and have the skills and capabilities to not only deliver, but lead world-leading research. The study I am most proud to have worked on is the ROWTATE study, which is the largest vocational rehabilitation study with trauma patients worldwide looking at return to work after traumatic injury.

I delivered the study in Nottingham and was able to contribute over 20% of the national recruitment total which was >700 patients. I also recently became a member of the study management team for an upcoming national service evaluation on the management and outcomes of rib fractures across the UK (MORF UK). It’s exciting to be able to collaborate with established clinical researchers and represent CRPs at this national level.

I have a range of research papers covering a variety of clinical topics which are currently under review but will be accessible upon publication (hopefully in early 2025!) through my Scholar or ResearchGate accounts.

It has been amazing to see our profession develop and grow from strength to strength over the last few years and I’m excited to see where we can go in the future!

I thoroughly enjoyed working on diverse portfolios, including Rheumatology, Dermatology, and Haematology. Collaborating with both patients and colleagues was incredibly rewarding. I firmly believe that our efforts in conducting these trials significantly advance medicine while prioritising patient rights and safety. After nearly two years in the Research Coordinator role and completing several intensive training sessions, I was thrilled to transition into the Research Practitioner position at the same Trust, which I started in October 2024. In this new role, I look forward to taking on more challenging trials, particularly in my current department focused on Solid Cancers. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute further to research that can have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.

As a Clinical Research Practitioner, I play a vital role in being a patient advocate as well as supporting investigators by identifying patients suitable for clinical trials. I collaborate closely with various clinical departments involved in patient care, ensuring seamless integration of the trial within the patient pathway while adhering to the standard of care. Throughout this process, patient safety remains our utmost priority, guiding all aspects of trial coordination and delivery.

By maintaining clear and effective communication, I ensure that all stakeholders are aligned, fostering a collaborative environment that prioritises patient safety and the integrity of the research. My role is integral in bridging the gap between clinical practice and research, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based medicine.

Throughout my journey, I have developed a deep appreciation for the role of research in healthcare. It is fulfilling to be part of a team that seeks to innovate and improve treatment options for patients. I am dedicated to continuing my professional development in this area, as I believe that effective research is critical to the advancement of medical science.