Research & Development TAG

Notes from Meeting on 8th January 2013

PRESENT
Prof Mike Lucock
Associate Director of APTS & Chair of the Meeting / Phil Walters
Inclusion Team
Dr Nisreen Booya
Medical Director & Lead for Research / Simon Plummer
Learning Disabilities
Julie Hickling
Business Manager, Medical Directorate / Dr Prabhat Mahapatra
Consultant Psychiatrist, Wakefield
Rebecca Spencer
Research Manager / Sarah Hudson
Lead Pharmacist, Bansley
Dr Abdullah Kraam
Clinical Lead for Research / Bob Heyman
University of Huddersfield
Amanda Edmondson
Senior Clinical Studies Officer / Keith Hardcastle
member of Research Involvement Group
Ismail Patel
Clinical Studies Officer
Helen Carter (notes)
Research Administrator
APOLOGIES
Dr F Uzair / Gillian Marley
Dr Keith Sands / Elizabeth Broadbent
Dr Phalaksh Walishetty / Wendy Baird (RDS Service)
Dr C Suresh / John Playle
Emma Polhill / Bal Singh
Dr M Adamou
Dr Van Mechelen

1/2. Introductions and Apologies

As above. The Agenda was agreed with Mike Lucock adding an

item onto ‘Any Other Business’ to reflect on the meeting.

3/4. Matters Arising

The minutes from the Annual review in September were discussed for accuracy and actions. Page 5 – Rebecca Spencer and Alex Clarkson from the West Yorkshire Comprehensive Local Research Network (WYCLRN) had met with Sarah Hudson, Lead Pharmacist for Barnsley BDU and progress has been made now with pharmacy in that area.

Action: RS and WYCLRN will explore support and links with radiology, and pathology across the Trust over the next year.

5. Research Team Update

Julie Hickling and Rebecca updated on recent staff recruitment to the Department, Amanda Edmondson has started in her role as Senior Clinical Studies Officer. Subject to pre-employment checks Mark Pinkerton will be starting in the near future as a Clinical Studies Officer and Stacey Phillips as a Research Governance Co-ordinator. Amanda will be the representative on behalf of CSO’s on the TAG but ML suggested it would be useful for any CSOs to attend occasionally.

6. Research Approval Procedure

Rebecca has been working on updating the Research Approval Procedure and has it prepared in draft form. RS would appreciate the views of TAG members on how reader friendly it is and how easy it would be to follow for a researcher. The Procedure has a level of complexity to it but it has been written in as clear a format as possible, RS will send out to NB, JH, AK and ML for comments in the first instance for comments and refine.

There are also eight Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which need to be incorporated but will be kept separate from the Procedural document.

RS will then send out the draft to TAG members at the end of January for comments. It was suggested that it would be appreciated if requests for comments on particular aspects of the procedure was highlighted.

As the document is very long it was suggested that a flowchart version could be formulated for the intranet or hyperlinks could be added so items of interest were more easily accessible without having to go through the whole document.

RS was advised that Yvonne French could be contacted if any of the SOPs had legal implications to check over.

Action: To be sent out for comments in first instance to R&D management and finalise the draft at the next TAG before a decision is made regarding any other versions.

7. Studies Report

The studies report was discussed in detail. It was agreed that members find it useful in its current format.

Some of the studies which haven’t recruited quite as planned were discussed:

1.  Genetic Variation in LD – Ismail Patel explained the problems in getting recruitment to target, in reality there is only one consultant on board at present and it was therefore suggested to expand the study into Barnsley if possible. Another aspect is that no genetic counselling is available if a diagnosis is given which may put people off participating. Simon Plummer said that any consultants recruited in the future would have research included within their job description which should help with their engagement in portfolio studies.

Action: RS will check with WYCLRN if any funding is available for genetic counselling and with ethics regarding if this was considered in the original application to them. A meeting will then be arranged between RS, Dr Gallapthie and Simon Plummer.

2.  ATLAS – NB said she was mindful that recruitment has to be widened as much as possible due to the small number of potential recruits. It was noted that if the study is widened to other areas of the Trust there will be a cost involved for pharmacy arrangements.

3.  Connecting People –Ismail is working on this study and plans to shadow the nurses who are handing out the information packs to understand what the recruitment barriers are and help to with increase the recruitment to the study. RS will discuss with Professor Curran at a forthcoming meeting.

Action: Ismail to make contact with nurses to enquire about shadowing.

8. Research Involvement Group

Keith Hardcastle attended to represent this new service user/patient and carer research group which has been set up recently in place of two previous groups. He was deputising for Bal Singh who was unable to attend. There have been three meetings so far including a training session and Keith fed back that the members are all enjoying learning about research processes and reviewing non-portfolio studies.

A researcher attended one of the meetings to discuss his research. This was a valuable experience for the group as well as the researcher who was able to take advice on his study from a service user and carer perspective.

The Trust highly values service user and carer views and input and there are opportunities for the group to expand further so all areas of the Trust are represented. Wakefield is not yet represented and Phil Walters mentioned that the Dialogue Groups had started again in Wakefield so people who attend may be interested in joining.

Action: RS to discuss in R&D business meeting recruitment ideas for Wakefield.

9. Research Bids & Collaborations

Farzana Ali and Paula Phillips are new PhD students at Huddersfield University and will be conducting their research within the Trust. Farzana began her studies in September 2012 and Paula begins in April. The Trust has contributed to the funding of both PHDs.

John Playle is the new Dean for the School of Human and Health Sciences at Huddersfield University and is now a member of the TAG. His commitment and interest in research and his background in mental health will further strengthen links between the University and Trust.

Bob Heyman was present to represent Huddersfield University in John’s absence and there was some discussion about maximising links with Bob in risk related research before he retires at the end of 2013.

10. Any Other Business

i) ML gave attendees a chance to reflect on the meeting and it was agreed that it had run smoothly and everyone felt comfortable with an opportunity to speak without being hurried.

ii) Agreed that the meeting is a chance to discuss issues in more detail whilst representatives from different areas are all present whilst bearing in mind the need for the agenda to run to time.

iii) It was suggested it would be helpful if a member of an NHS Ethics Committee could attend a future meeting and do a short presentation on the work they do.

Action: ML thought he had a contact at an Ethics Committee so will approach them to see if able to come to a future meeting.

Helen Carter

Research Administrator

01977 605285

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