CRP Bulletin - September 2022

Phoebe Winstanley, Clinical Research Practitioner (CRN, North West Coast)

The creation of the Direct Delivery Team (DDT) and the role of the Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) within this team is something I believe will be paramount to the future of UK health-based research. The plan for the DDT is to carry out social and public health research studies. This will include studies looking at how we can aim to improve social care, the prevention of male violence against women and girls, mental health research in prisons, and health inequality research in deprived communities. Thus far, the Clinical Research Network (CRN) has predominantly focused on clinical research. However, with growing social issues becoming more obvious within our society, and often their link to our health and wellbeing, the CRN is expanding to address these issues and work towards a more holistic research approach which reaches all elements of health across the UK.

The introduction of the role of the CRP in the DDT is vital in this, as it gives those from different academic and professional backgrounds the opportunity to work on research projects and bring with them their unique perspective. With the expanding of research topics we also need an expansion of professionals working within research. For example, I am a social science academic and professional.

Growing up in a deprived area in South Wales I have always had an interest in health inequalities and economics. I achieved top marks in a diploma in Health Studies and a first-class degree in Social Policy and Health and Wellbeing at Liverpool Hope University. I am soon to begin a master’s degree in Health, Cultures and Societies. As well as this I began work in the social care sector at the age of seventeen. Since then, I have gained valuable experience within the social care sector working with those with dementia, the elderly, those who are learning disabled, autistic people, looked after children, nursery age children, primary school children, ex-convicts with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. On a voluntary basis I have also worked with domestic violence survivors, homeless people, and those from deprived communities. This wealth of experience has strengthened my passion for social justice and inclusion and has made me extremely grateful to have been given my role in the DDT where I will be working on research which is set to improve people’s lives and care.

A number of major social care and public health issues need a resolution, and often to find resolution, research is required. That is where the DDT and CRPs come in. The introduction of this new sector of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is revolutionary and part of a very exciting time in research development. Hopefully this team, my team, will aid in historical research which could help change people’s lives for the better, shape the future of social care, and improve public health and prevent illness related to socioeconomic factors for generations to come. In the famous words of Dr Martin Luther King Jr “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death” (Galarneau, 2018). So, as researchers, whether that be a Research Nurse, a doctor, or a CRP, let us all work together towards a more holistic future which works to find cures for all forms of ill health, whether they be medical or social borne.

This November staff working in research in health and social care settings are invited to a series of webinars to learn about the accredited Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) role. Guests will learn about the CRP Accredited Registration scheme, including how it can help to demonstrate key skills, support career development, and provide assurance to employers, patients, service users, carers and members of the public. The third webinar of the series has a special focus towards line managers on the benefits of accreditation for staff.

CRP series: week one - Friday 4 November 2022 from 12:00-13:00pm.

Hosted by Kelly Adams, NIHR Head of Research Workforce Development, this webinar will provide an overview of why CRP accredited registration was introduced and the national strategy, followed by a short Q&A session.

CRP series: week two - Wednesday 9th November 2022 from 12:30-13:30pm.

This webinar will include real life accounts from CRPs Ashlea Brooks and Matthew Morris about what it's like to go through the accreditation process. This will be followed by a short Q&A session.

CRP series: week three - Wednesday 16 November 2022 from 12:00-13:00pm

With a special focus towards line managers looking to support their team through the CRP accredited registration process, this webinar will cover the necessary competencies, how to encourage staff to go through the process as well as some hints and tips. This discussion will be followed by a short Q&A session.

CRP series: week four - Wednesday 23 November 2022 from 12:00-13:00pm

In this final webinar, Kelly Adams, NIHR Head of Research Workforce Development, will provide a wrap up of the sessions from the series and a recap of the key points and information and there will be time for additional questions.

Please register your interest by emailing comms.crnwessex@nihr.ac.uk

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