The Future of Research Delivery in the UK

The research needs of the UK health and care system have evolved, and will continue to do so. The NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), will enable more types of research to take part in a wider range of health settings. So clinical, public health and social care research will happen in hospitals, primary care, community and residential settings. In doing so, the RDN will bring together support and optimise impact for areas that were previously separated.

To enable this, new ways of working have been announced. These are the result of significant and sustained engagement with RDN staff, stakeholders and customers.

The new ways of working are as follows:

• The RDN will support the entire research delivery process. This includes study set-up, follow-up, and study closure, in contrast to focusing on recruitment only
• The RDN will strategically align with government and NIHR priorities. This will ensure a nationally coherent approach to research support
• The RDN will enable equitable access and delivery across all regions, rather than a regionally segmented model.
• There will be an increased focus on delivery across settings and within care pathways. There will be a move away from concentrating primarily on NHS-based research settings
• There will be an emphasis on intelligence-driven decision making. This includes: making better use of data insights and embedding intelligence gathering
• There will be a clear separation between the RDN and delivery organisations. This will ensure a distinct focus on enabling and supporting the whole RDN portfolio of research. The Network will not duplicate the work of delivery sites or take responsibility for individual studies
• These new ways of working will ensure that the network is even more focused in its approach. By operating as a single network to provide a more consistent and customer-focused service, our work will ultimately benefit patients and the public

Widespread consultation

As part of the policy development for the RDN, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been consulting with a wide range of stakeholders over many months. Stakeholders include: previous and current RDN leadership; the wider NIHR, NHS R&D departments, charities, the life sciences industry, patients and the public.

Initial feedback from stakeholders underpinned the invitation to tender and service specification for the RDN supplier procurement. In addition, the RDN has been consulting with stakeholders on what the network should start doing, stop doing and continue to do.

Indeed, the process of actively gathering feedback and insight has been a core component of the RDN’s evolution. And as the RDN further develops, the network will continue to engage with stakeholders. By listening and acting on what we hear, we will ensure we continue to learn, improve and respond to the changing needs of the research system.

RDN commitments

The NIHR RDN was launched in October 2024. Funded by the DHSC, the RDN enables the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England. We do this as part of NIHR’s overall mission to improve the health and the wealth of the nation through research.

The network consists of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) and a Coordinating Centre (RDNCC). It is committed to:

• supporting the delivery of research. This is funded by the NIHR, research charities, other public funders and the life sciences industry
• increasing capacity and capability to deliver research for the future
• covering clinical, public health and social care research, across hospitals, primary care, community and residential settings

Professor Andrew Ustianowski, Interim Executive Director of NIHR RDN, said:

“I would like to thank all of our customers, colleagues, partners and stakeholders who have taken the time to help us to shape these key ways of working.

“Their input has been invaluable in ensuring we are well placed to support research delivery that is collaborative, inclusive and effective. Our new ways of working will enable us to promote a culture where research is the responsibility of everyone working in health and social care and where the development of novel delivery methods is supported to improve capacity and capability for research delivery.

“By continuing to align with government priorities, and by working as one unified network, the RDN will play a key role in helping the UK to become one of the top 5 countries of choice to enable world-leading delivery of life sciences research.”