Commissioning
Commissioning for Research
Project Description
Reorganisation and improvements within the National Health Service are encouraging a much clearer focus on research and on the involvement of patients in research studies and clinical trials. Changes in the commissioning structure of service provision present particular opportunities to work closely with the organisations responsible for commissioning health services. A project piloted in the South West of England collaborated with the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to ensure that appropriate wording was added to their invitations to tender and contracts documentation.
- Recognise that, within the evolving nature of the NHS, project slippage can occur and that it is difficult to gauge realistic timelines for implementing change at the level of the CCGs
- Appreciate the time involved in building a network of the individuals and groups around a single idea, and how these individuals have many other priorities and may have constantly changing roles
- Work effectively with these networks on an on-going basis to ensure that research remains on the agenda
- Discuss documents and websites where research could be incorporated with these networks ensuring that the text is appropriate, succinct and informative