NUH achieved an outstanding performance benchmark for initiating clinical trials in a large University hospital setting. We now set up and recruit patients in complex clinical trials in just 65 days.
Getting here has been a long and challenging journey of improvement. The large scale change required is led by the department of Research & Innovation with the support and engagement of the entire academic health science system and NIHR infrastructure across Nottingham.
NUH developed a comprehensive and agile research business management system.
The key elements of this system are :
The introduction of the role of Research Project Managers (RPMs) who are responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of a research project: from feasibility to approval and performance monitoring and study closure. The RPMs form strong operational links with the investigators and research teams and can therefore identify and remove any bottlenecks to approval or recruitment.
The Research Outputs team monitors performance and updates the Documas™ system. The research outputs team has an operational link to the RPM team so that performance data is always up to date
The Documas™ information management system was custom built at NUH in partnership with Propheris Ltd
Documas™ leverages expert research management knowledge to provide an integrated research business management solution, with an emphasis on the following key work themes of NHS R&D:
Award management system
document & information flow for NHS permissions
a sponsorship module, incorporating risk assessments, archiving and safety recording and reporting
a monitoring and audit module for both sponsored and high risk hosted studies
an innovative application of NIHR RSS principles by providing a platform for information exchange between the R&D office, clinical directorates and key service support (KSS) departments.
performance management of the NHS permission process and timely and accurate identification of bottlenecks
local portfolio management system for recording and managing recruitment
research contract and financial management linking recruitment to financial and invoicing information.
NUH will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders to continuously improve our processes and Documas and ensure consistent delivery against performance benchmarks.