Primary Care Research Hub

Welcome to the North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Primary Care Research Hub

About the Hub

Developed with insight from general practices across our region, this Primary Care Hub aims to provide online support through:-

The latest clinical research news and updates
Information on available portfolio research studies you can participate in
Access to information on ongoing and upcoming portfolio studies
Access to online training resources and materials
Information on our local partners and initiatives
Access to additional online tools such as the Open Data Platform
Information on how the RRDN can support you in delivering research
Access to our Primary Care Research Solutions

Latest news and updates

New NIHR YouTube series launches for people with learning disabilities

A new video series which aims to help people with learning disabilities and autism take part in health and care research is now available.

Evidence shows that people with learning disabilities and autistic people do not have the same opportunities to participate in research as other groups. There are many reasons for this. This includes people not understanding what research is or what taking part in research might involve.

The RDN has produced a series of 4 short videos (5-7 mins approx.) that focus on addressing these barriers. They also help health and care staff talk to people with learning disabilities and autism about research.

The videos have been co-produced with people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism, some of whom feature in the series.

Watch and share the videos via the NIHRtv YouTube channel. You may find the videos useful to support your research delivery.

Wider Care Settings In-Year Progress Reviews

We will be undertaking in-year progress reviews for research active sites who are in receipt of NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) Wider Care Setteins (WCS) funding.

The reviews will be in collaboration with you to identify opportunities, adress barriers, and to celebrate achievements.

Reviews will take place in September/October time and we will contact each site individually to arrange a review, but if you would like a review sooner that can be arranged.

If you would like to arrange an earlier review, please email: widercareteam.nwrrdn@nihr.ac.uk

Job Opportunity with Viaduct Care

Primary Care Research Project Lead - Fixed Term (12 months)

Viaduct Care GP Federation is seeking an experienced and motivated Primary Care Research Project Lead to support the development and delivery of primary care research across Stockport.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in embedding research into routine general practice, increasing participation in NIHR Portfolio and commercially sponsored research studies, and helping to develop a sustainable research-ready workforce.

To find out more about the job and details of how to apply, click on this link: Job Advert

IMPORTANT NOTICE - SUCCESS (CPMS ID: 60960)

Recruitment for the SUCCES study has now closed with immediate effect (01/07/2026)

Please do not send any further SMS / Email invites to eligible patients or HCP's and take down any posters adverting the study immediately.

Thank you to all the sites that took part in this study

Research MRI at Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Alder Hey Children's Hospital have a research MRI scanner that is available for use. It is suitable for both children & adults and they have radiographer support.

For more information about the support offered, please click the link below:

https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/research/collaborations/research-mri/

RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2026: programme now live

Join the conference in Glasgow this September for three inspiring days packed with cutting-edge research, inspirational keynote speakers and excellent networking opportunities at the RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2026 .

Book your place now and join over 300 nurse researchers in Glasgow, to explore ‘Research Without Boundaries: Innovation, Collaboration and Global Impact’. The programme will include a special focus on Clinical Research Nursing on day three.

Connect with global leaders in nursing research and be part of the conversations shaping the future of healthcare.

📅 15-17 September 2026

📍 University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

🎟️ Book now: www.rcn.org.uk/research26

Primary Care Commercial Research - Peer Support Network

Our colleagues at Middlewood Partnership practices, based in East Cheshire, have set up a primary care commercial research peer support network for GP practice staff who are either delivering, or looking to get involved in, commercial research.

They have a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel with many practical resources to help you on your journey, plus an active chat group that provides tailored support and mentorship, and advice on active trials.

They also meet quarterly to share best practice, network and address delivery challenges.

Anyone working in general practice and delivering research across the North West RRDN footprint is welcome to join the peer support network.

If you would like to join, please email widercareteam.nwrrdn@nihr.ac.uk and we will connect you to the Middlewoood team.

(NHS.net accounts can be added to the Teams Channel instantaneously, however, other email address formats may require a data sharing agreement)

Fully funded research leadership programme for primary care professionals across Lancashire and South Cumbria

We are pleased to announce that NHS R&D North West, in partnership with Lancashire and South Cumbria Primary Care Training Hub and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, are launching a brand new fully funded research leadership programme for primary care professionals across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Open to all roles and levels. No research experience needed. Salary backfill included.

Applications close 31 July 2026.

Find out more and apply via this LINK

Building research skills across the NHS workforce

We are excited to share that NHS England and NIHR have launched two new free e-learning modules to help all NHS staff build their research knowledge and skills.

Whether you're a nurse, GP, pharmacist, practice manager or work in any other NHS role, these modules are designed for you:

What is Health Research? – Foundation level for anyone new to research
Intermediate module – For those looking to develop their knowledge further

Understanding research helps us all deliver better, evidence-based care to patients and contribute to innovations that transform healthcare.

Find out more: What is Health Research?

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Introduction: E6(R3) and the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Refresher: GCP E6(R3)

In line with the new E6(R3) GCP and UK Clinical Trial Regulation updates, both the GCP Introduction course and the GCP Refresher course have now been updated on NIHR Learn.

To access the new GCP courses, please follow this link - https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1238

You will be asked to log in to your NIHR account to access the course. If you do not have an account, please use your NHS email to create an account.

We ask that staff members complete this new training at your earliest convivence.

If you have any questions about the new GCP course, please email widercareteam.nwrrdn@nihr.ac.uk

Primary Care Research Hubs

The previous North West Coast CRN and ARC funded 20 Primary Care Research Hubs across Cheshire & Merseyside and Lancashire & South Cumbria, see the posters below for more information.

You may be able to use these Hubs for research purposes if you require additional space / equipment to conduct your study. The hubs may also offer shadowing opportunities for individual training, if required (e.g., centrifuge training). This depends on practice staff capacity and must be agreed upon at the time. Please contact widercareteam.nwrrdn@nihr.ac.uk if you would like to be connected with a Research Hub. Research facilities are also available in the Greater Manchester area.

Meet the Primary Care Commercial Fellows

Commercial trial recruitment has declined nationally, reducing the UKs competitiveness. Primary Care is underused for commercial research despite its reach and diversity. The SPCR GP Commercial Research Fellowships form one part of a wider national effort to rebuild capacity. Fellows are hosted by 11 UK academic institutions in the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR). The fellows introduce themselves in the slidedeck below:

SPCR Commercial Fellows v2 SE version_KW2 (1).pptx

RRDN replaced the CRN on 1st October 2024

From 1st October 2024, the 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) were replaced by 12 NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDN). Each were mapped onto the NHS England Regional Office boundaries and those of the Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) operating within the regions, also coterminous with most local authority boundaries.

This provides even more focus on regional collaboration, influence and development with the local NHS and care system, to meet the needs of people within a region, while facilitating joint working with the NHS and ICSs. The NIHR Research Delivery Network is led by the leaders of the Regional Research Delivery Networks together with the National Coordinating Centre.

LCRN Greater Manchester and LCRN North West Coast have merged to become the new North West Regional Research Delivery Network, which covers the Integrated Care Systems of Cheshire and Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire and South Cumbria.

We are excited by the opportunities we believe the new Network geographical coverage and infrastructure provides to communities across the North West’s population of 7 million people. As we embark on the transition, our focus continues to be ensuring we deliver the best research experience for local residents and working with our current and future GP partners with as little disruption to you as possible.

New SNOMED codes - dissent from research invitation

SNOMED have recently released a new code for GP sites to accurately record a patient's dissent from receiving research invitations directly from their practice.

- 1771641000000107 | Fully specified name: Dissent to receive invitation from general practitioner practice to participate in research

- 1771651000000105 | Fully specified name: Dissent withdrawn to receive from general practitioner practice to participate in research

For more information and to find out what action you may need to take at your practice, please see here.

Join Dementia Research - GP Text Messaging

Join Dementia Research is a national service funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, run by the National Institute of Health and Care Research in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland.

Join Dementia Research enables people diagnosed with dementia, their partners and carers, as well as anyone with an interest in dementia research, to register their interest in taking part in dementia research and to be matched to suitable studies.

There’s a wide range of studies on Join Dementia Research, including studies into diagnosis, prevention, new treatments and quality of life studies. Volunteers with a dementia diagnosis often report that being involved in research can help them to maintain a positive attitude to life.

If you are interested in supporting sign ups to JDR from your practice please contact nw.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk for further information on how to get involved.

Keep up to date with other latest news, events and updates from the North West Research Community, with this link to our NW RRDN page.

NW RRDN Contact

If you have any queries about primary care research in the North West, please contact the team at: widercareteam.nwrrdn@nihr.ac.uk

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