What is Springboard?

We are transforming our services and ways of working to meet the future RDN’s purposes and also ensure that the RDN plays a unique role, adding value to the UK’s research system. 

The current structure of the CRN was created in 2014/2015. It’s fair to say that a lot has changed in the health research ecosystem since that time. The CRN adapted its  offer to accommodate this,  and in doing so, laid the foundations for the new RDN.  The new organisation will build on the CRN’s success to provide the best impact and value within the UK research ecosystem.

As part of work to inform the design of the new RDN,  DHSC consulted with a number of stakeholders across the research system to understand where and how the Network best adds value. 

There was clear positive feedback about the CRN and the vital role it plays in the UK research system but some areas for change were identified:

• Providing customers and stakeholders with a consistent experience as one, national organisation, while still preserving local relationships. 

• Playing a unique role in the research system, adding value through data, insight and its network of relationships but not duplicating work that sponsors, study teams or other stakeholders undertake. 

This feedback was combined with learnings from the tremendous achievements during COVID, the subsequent recovery of the UK’s research capacity and capability post-pandemic through Research Reset, as well as the government priorities to ensure that the UK regains its position as a global research leader (outlined in the The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery policy and the Government’s response to the Lord O'Shaughnessy review into commercial clinical trials).

The tender for the new RDN was designed taking all this into account and key changes to the Network’s role were outlined in section 2.2.2 of the RDN Service Specification.

The ‘Springboard’ transformation programme is transforming the CRN’s Study Support Service now, in advance of forming the RDN. 

In April 2024, we published our delivery commitments for October 2024.

Programme aims

• Implement the learnings, processes and tools from Research Reset, and other programmes of work, into sustained improvements 

• Consider the services we offer customers while studies are being set up 

• Help staff and stakeholders understand how changes will enable improved CRN/RDN services and access to Network support

All of this is captured in the slide deck 'Transforming the CRN's Study Support Service'.