16. Information and Knowledge

16.1.1. Ensure appropriate, well-functioning, and well maintained NIHR RDN information systems and services are in place and up to date.

16.1.2. Maintain a contract with the Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) providers which covers all system requirements and allows for appropriate change management to support continual improvement.

16.1.3. Ensure the LPMS solution meets the latest version of the published Minimum Data Set in support of Research Activity, national and local reporting, monitoring of portfolio activity, and to enable calculation of Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs) where applicable.

16.1.4. Ensure the LPMS conforms to recognised data interchange standards to allow integration into the wider Research Delivery Data and Intelligence (RDD&I) initiative.

16.1.5. Ensure that any NIHR RDN-specific Information Systems meet all legal requirements such as Accessibility and relevant GDPR Information Security requirements.

16.1.6. Ensure an appropriate Exit Plan is in place for all Information System suppliers.

16.1.7. When sharing or citing RRDN performance data (e.g. in RRDN Reports, Plans, and local communications) the data used must be the official data as produced or issued by the RDNCC.

16.1.8. Provide funded staff and appropriate access to business intelligence (BI) tools and systems to allow the Data and Analytics Lead to provide a modern BI service to the RRDN Host Organisation and RRDN staff. The Data and Analytics Service Delivery Group will review, prioritise, and if appropriate, standardise the provision of BI tools and systems to other stakeholders, such as funders, sponsors, charities, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), local authorities, patients and the public, as requested.

16.1.9. Collaboratively develop a national Data and Analytics Function for RDN with the RDN Coordinating Centre.

16.1.10. Support the RDN in delivering against digital programmes such as the recording of unique participant identifiers (such as NHS number, where the LPMS allows) within the RRDN’s LPMS in order to understand and report on diversity data in relation to research participants, or other RDN strategies.

16.2.1. Where the RRDN Host Organisation has procured information systems or applications to support RRDN activities (e.g. a Local Portfolio Management System) it is the responsibility of the RRDN Host Organisation (in association with the third-party provider) to ensure service management support is provided in accordance with service management best practice, e.g. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

16.2.2. The RRDN Host Organisation must ensure information systems utilised in RRDN activities comply with the Local Portfolio Management System Minimum Data Set  RDN POF Support Page.

16.2.3. The RDN Funding allocation provides for the ongoing provision of an LPMS solution, for use by RRDN-funded staff supporting research delivery in the RRDN Host Organisation and Delivery organisations. This should be made available for Delivery organisations to use for both NIHR RDN Portfolio and non-NIHR RDN Portfolio studies.

16.2.4. Additional supporting information is available in the RDN POF Support Pages.