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:
Unplanned hospital admissions in dementia
A study exploring the experiences of unplanned hospital admissions for people with dementia is currently recruiting participants. Individuals with dementia are invited to take part in an interview about their recent hospital admission. For more information contact Leanne Hague on leanne
Do you work on an acute mental health unit?
If you currently work on an acute mental health unit, and have done for at least 12 months, you are invited to take part in a new study from researchers at the University of Southamption exploring the potential relationship between perceptions of physical safety and psychological safety in this setting. Fill out the 15-minute survey and you could win a £50 Love2Shop voucher. Email Lizzy Fadden (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) for more information: ef2n23
Mersey Care set to advance Federated Data Platform partnership
Leaders from across the Trust recently joined an NHS England workshop to explore the exciting opportunities offered by the Federated Data Platform (FDP). The FDP securely connects NHS data to provide staff with real-time insights to make it easier for them to deliver timely and informed care. Mersey Care has already unified mental health operational data in one secure system through the Single Data Platform work (SDP) and the Mersey Care FDP programme will utilise this data to co‑develop digital mental health tools not only for use within Mersey Care, but also for other Trusts to use nationally. Our next steps involve meeting with teams across Mersey Care to further understand how we can make best use of the FDP, using our data to drive real-time decision making across the organisation. We will keep you updated on progress over the coming months. Find out more about the NHS FDP here.
Finding new solutions through research: Jenny’s story
Jenny Gilchrist is the Children and Young People’s Research Nurse within the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC). In her new vlog she outlines her journey into the world of research, her work with M-RIC and how others can get started in research.
Take part in study for a chance to win £100
Are you a healthcare professional working in a neurodevelopmental or mental health service with children, young people or adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? You are invited to take part in a research study which aims to find ways to make screening, diagnosing and monitoring ADHD easier and more efficient, and standardised for both staff and patients. Those who take part have the opportunity to win £100 or £50. Complete the survey here.
Study aims to understand how outcomes are being measured in ADHD
The University of Nottingham is conducting a research study with healthcare professionals to understand how outcomes are being measured in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The findings of the study will help to find ways to make screening, diagnosing and monitoring ADHD easier and more efficient and standardised for both staff and patients. If you work in a neurodevelopmental or mental health service with children, young people or adults with ADHD you can share your experiences by filling out a short survey here. You can also take part in an interview over teams or the telephone. If you have any questions, please email the Research Fellow on the project, Hannah Elwick at Hannah.elwick@nottingham.ac.uk.
Take part in in the largest ever study on anxiety and depression
The GLAD study has been set up to explore anxiety and depression and is looking for individuals to take part who have experienced depression and/or anxiety and individuals who have never experienced a mental health disorder for comparison. To find out more, visit www.gladstudy.org.uk. If you want to proceed, simply register, complete a consent form and online questionnaire to see if you are eligible and then you’ll be asked to send a saliva DNA sample. Please select Mersey Care when completing your consent/questionnaire.
Highlights from our recent research and innovation forum
On 18 November, Mersey Care held the latest in our series of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional (NMAHP) research and innovation forums. The day was an opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic research projects currently being undertaken by our clinicians and to also provide advice to staff who are interested in starting a research journey. Click here to read more.
Building Mersey Care’s research capacity with NHS Research and Development North West
Amanda Craig, Chief Executive of NHS Research and Development North West, recently joined Mersey Care’s Nursing, Midwives and Allied Health Professions (NMAHPs) Research and Innovation Forum to discuss the exciting opportunities available for early career researchers through a new internship programme. Here, she discusses the programme, the brilliant work of the NMAHP forum and Mersey Care’s hard work to build research capacity and capability.
Why Sheree wants nurses to get involved in research
Sheree Desson, Deputy ward Manager on the Iris mental health inpatient ward in St Helens is passionate about championing research amongst nurses. She is set to start the Liverpool Health Partners Research Development Programme from NHS Research and Development (R&D) North West. In her blog she explores her goals for the programme and encourages others not to be overwhelmed by research and instead take small steps to get involved.
“Research is for everyone” – Shruti shares her advice on getting started in research
Shruti Sharma, Team Lead for the Planned Therapies South Sefton Team was recently awarded a place on the prestigious NIHR Developing Leaders in Research Fellowship. In her blog she shares her journey into research and her goals for the fellowship.
Pursuing research as a nurse: Cat’s story
Cat Phillips is a staff nurse at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. She was recently awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) pre-application support fund, which is enabling her to lead a service evaluation exploring stigma associated with personality disorders. In this article, she explores the challenges and benefits of pursuing a research career as a clinical nurse.
Stepping out of my comfort zone: How Assistant Psychologist Sahrish Ali got involved in research
Sahrish Ali works as an assistant psychologist in Mersey Care’s Community Forensic Learning Disability Service. In her blog she describes how stepping out of her comfort zone and taking part in a research project has expanded her skills and benefited her work.
Showcasing Mersey Care’s research activities
On 4 March, we attended the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Research In Cheshire And Merseyside (NRICAM) Showcase at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust.
Forum encourages Mersey Care staff to get involved in research
Mersey Care is holding a quarterly series of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals (AHPs) research and innovation forums. The forums highlight current research projects being undertaken by Mersey Care clinicians and also provide advice to staff who are interested in starting a research journey.
From practice to purpose: Joy’s journey into research
Joy Okwor is a Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust staff nurse in Longmoor House. She recently completed the NHS Research and Development (R&D) North West England InRes programme which aims to empower health and care professionals to pursue a career in research. In this article, Joy charts her experience as a frontline nurse in the world of research and her journey of reflection, identity and growth.
Upcoming event launches new phase of north west collaborative research
The ARCFEST and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast Phase 2 (ARC NWC) launch event marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase of collaborative research across the North West Coast. Taking place on 28 April at Blackpool Football Club, book your tickets on TicketSource.
Save the date: Nursing and Allied Health Professional Research in Cheshire and Merseyside (NRICAM) showcase day
The next NRICAM showcase day is taking place on Monday May 11 from 9am to 4.15pm, hosted at Liverpool John Moores University. There will be an opportunity to submit abstracts to present work. The day will be an opportunity to learn about how to start out in research, writing for publication, creating successful internship applications and much more.
Suicide Bereavement UK’s 15th International Conference
Book tickets now for Suicide Bereavement UK’s annual conference, titled ‘Silence isn’t always golden’ on eventbrite. Taking place on 16 September at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the event brings together researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, and professionals from across the world; all committed to improving understanding and support for those bereaved by suicide.
Call for research internship applications
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North West Coast has announced a call for applications for research internships. The internships provide £6,300 salary backfill to provide day release from your job role to do a research project for up to 12 months. The deadline is Monday 27 April 2026, contact arcnwc
Sign up for the pre doctoral research support programme
The NHS Research and Development North West pre doctoral research support programme has been developed to support health and care professionals to build on their previous academic training to develop an application for a Doctoral award and take the next step in their practitioner academic career. If you would like to be considered for this programme, please send your expression of interest to joanne.simpson@researchnorthwest.nhs.uk.
Masters for research delivery leadership bursaries now open
Bursary applications for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) masters for research delivery leadership (MRDL) are now open. Registered health and care professionals can apply for up to three years of funding to complete a postgraduate certificate, diploma or master’s, gaining the skills and experience needed to lead clinical research studies. Apply by 1 July 2026.
Are you a future research leader?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) have opened applications for the NIHR Health and Care Professional (HCP) Internship Programme 2026/27. The 12-month programme provides predoctoral tailored and bespoke learning and development to the full range of health and care professions. Application deadline is 6 July 2026.
Are you a Principal Investigator of the future?
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Associate Principal Investigator Scheme is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for health and care professionals starting their research career.
The Scheme aims to develop health and care professionals to become the Principal Investigators (PIs) of the future. A Principal Investigator is an individual responsible for the conduct of a research study at a site.
People who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in clinical research in their role have the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of an enthusiastic local Principal Investigator (PI).
Sophie Rowland, Assistant Psychologist, recently completed the scheme with support from the Research Delivery team. She was mentored by PI Michaela Thomson, Senior Research and Evaluation Practitioner, on a study titled: An evaluation of Care (Education) and treatment reviews for people with learning disabilities and autistic people (CECiLiA).
Sophie said:
“My experience with the Associate PI Scheme has been incredibly valuable for my professional development. It provided me with hands on exposure to clinical research processes that I would not have encountered in my day-to-day role as an assistant psychologist. Working under the mentorship of an experienced Principal Investigator was invaluable and introduced me to 'real-life' research. This experience has strengthened my confidence in contributing to research projects and broadened my career prospects by opening pathways into research-focused roles and giving me valuable reflections for my application to the doctorate in clinical psychology. I would highly recommend the scheme to anyone looking to enhance their understanding of clinical research."
Learn more about how you can apply here.
