The NHS Constitution pledge to all patients: “to inform you of research studies in which you may be eligible to participate”
Mersey Care is committed to delivering and sustaining quality research which improves care and treatment, contributes to better services and health for people with physical and mental health related problems, their carers or our staff
Research helps turn interesting theories into real benefits and is often the only way to develop better treatments and interventions. People receiving care now benefit from research that has already taken place and will continue to benefit from it taking place today and in the future. The NHS has made great progress in developing new treatments but there is still a lot that is unknown. Research can answer questions, fill gaps in knowledge and change the way treatment is delivered. Research results in improved treatment and care for you and your family.
Most research projects need the help of those people living with a particular health condition to ensure they are effective. We are proud of our record of involving service users, people with lived experience, carers, their families, and the general public in our research. Our studies range from genetic studies and questionnaires, to highly complex, randomised controlled trials testing drugs and therapies.
We hope you find this site helpful in highlighting the processes and associated governance for undertaking research and service evaluations in Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. We very much welcome working in partnership from the earliest opportunity in your research or service evaluation journey and therefore welcome you to contact us for discussion and assistance as appropriate on the folllwing email address Research
We are a research active organisation; many of you will already be involved in delivering or supporting research. As you might be aware, there is a lack of research on the needs of our local population and the organisation of health services based on these. This is why we are interested in promoting research to ensure that future services are developed based on a local evidence base. We are therefore committed to continuing to involve and support clinicians to develop as researchers and to support our service users, patients, carers and staff to be offered the opportunity to take part in research.
No statement of intent or agreement to support research studies or bids can be made on the Trust’s behalf unless this has been reviewed and registered via the Trusts research processes. For further information please email Research
The Research and Development department always take the lead reviewing and, where necessary, liaising with clinical and support services to agree capacity before any expression of interest is made or a study approved. It is therefore imperative that all approaches for research projects or bids that involve the Trust’s service users, staff, carers or resources are always shared in advance with the Research Department and that support to proceed is obtained in writing. This process is important for governance, compliance and financial reasons to protect the reputation of the Trust.
Is my project research and does it need ethical approval?
Not all projects are research. For example many service evaluations and service improvement initiatives also generate important and useful information which contributes to better services.
If you are not sure if your study would be classed as research this link may help:
If your study is research you may also need external ethical approval, this link will help you decide:
If you need any further advice please email a member of the Research and Development team Research.department@merseycare.nhs.uk
If your project is Research you will need to follow a number of set processes for review and approval.
- This link offers an array of information concerning this process; www.hra.nhs.uk and includes templates you are welcome to use such as participant information sheets and consent forms http://www.hra-decisiontools.org.uk/consent/examples.html
- You may need to complete an Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) form which can be found at www.myresearchproject.org.uk
- You will also need to provide a brief Research CV
In order for us to register your project with the Trust, you will need to submit a Local Information Pack (LIP) (including your organisation information document) as outlined in IRAS: https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/help/hlpsitespecific.aspx
Before submitting the LIP please note feasibility will need to have been carried out with the Research department and the relevant service(s).
For more information regarding this process please email Research.development@merseycare.nhs.uk
“Evaluation provides practical information to help decide whether a development or service should be continued or not. Evaluation also involves making judgements about the value of what is being evaluated” - NHS Research and Development Forum (2006)
Service Evaluations are designed and conducted to appraise the effectiveness or efficiency of an individual service with the intention of providing information to inform local decision making.
For information regarding differentiating between service evaluations, clinical audit and research please refer to HQIP: ‘A guide for clinical audit, research and service review’ Nov 2011
In the first instance, you will be asked to complete the attached Service Evaluation Registration Form - you can also request this from michaela
The submission will then be reviewed to ensure it is of a high standard, feasible, supported by the relevant service and demonstrates clear benefit to the Trust. Evaluators must provide;
- Evidence of service support
- Evidence of academic institution support (if applicable)
- Copy proposal/outline (if for an academic project)
- Copy HRA decision tool certificate confirming the study is an evaluation or other correspondence from the HRA confirming the study as an evaluation (if applicable).
- Copy of all associated paperwork which may include: information sheet(s), consent form(s) (MCFT templates available upon request) and questionnaire (if applicable).
The application will then be logged and issued with a Trust reference number. Following review, the evaluation will be assigned a Trust reference number and recorded on the Service Evaluation database. Once reviewed and approved, a Confirmation to Commence email will be sent to the lead reviewer with relevant and informative attachments including a summary sheet which we request to be completed and sent back to michaela
Templates of Information Sheets and Consent forms can be requested from michaela.thomson@merseycare.nhs.uk
Most research projects need the help of those people living with a particular health condition to ensure they are effective. We are proud of our record of involving service users and carers in our research and the contribution their lived experience brings to our work. Our studies range from genetic studies and questionnaires, to highly complex, randomised controlled trials testing drugs and therapies.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is a partner of the:
