Our Services

The GMLC team offer a range of research related support to local clinical teams running studies, and also help study sponsors and co-ordinators. In most cases, GMLC staff will assist with initial phases and setup of a study and will either support staff funded by the study to run the study (e.g. by training them) or will manage it themselves.

We aim to help local sites get off the ground more quickly, and offer expert support on getting through all the paperwork associated with research in the NHS.
 

Training & education

The network can help with the recruitment of study staff funded by the trial and also with their induction and training. This also applies to staff who may already be in post locally, and training can be provided throughout the duration of the study. GMLC can deliver training and provide advice/support on any aspect of study management. More details can be found here.

Feasibility

The network assists study sponsors (e.g. pharmaceutical industry) in identifying local sites who may be interested in future studies. This includes helping to provide data on patient populations and information on current NHS practice. More information on the feasibility process can be found here.

Study proposal development

GMLC works with MCRN Clinical Study Groups, the Northwest Research Design Service and local R&D departments to help researchers develop their ideas into funded proposals that ultimately may be included on the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network study portfolio.
 
The network also has a User Involvement Co-ordinator who leads our work on helping researchers truly involve patients, parents and the public in developing their proposals. Please get in touch if you want more advice.
 
More information on developing proposals can be found here (insert new leaflet). The MCRN have also produced a useful guide for researchers and funders who are assessing the feasibility of a study. For researchers working in CMFT, a flowchart for developing a study can be found here.
 

Feasibility of study at site

GMLC staff will help local investigators understand the practical implications of running a study at their site and will assist them with any potential difficulties.

Approvals and agreements

All portfolio studies now are approved through the NIHR Co-ordinated System for gaining NHS Permission (NIHR CSP) and our dedicated administration team are well versed navigating the process and facilitate permissions on behalf of the researcher. Our staff can also deal with contracts and other agreements that may be required and will make sure they are in place before the study starts

Costings

Our staff can help to calculate the cost of running the project at a site and check to ensure funding is in place to cover all costs and for commercial research we now use the NIHR Industry Costing Template. This is done in conjunction with the investigator, local R&D and the sponsor.

Study set up & initiation

Our team can also help with the practical measures and planning that must take place before a study can start at a site. This includes helping ensure support services such as laboratories and radiology are ready to take part, or setting up an initiation meeting. Help can also be provided in setting up regulatory compliant systems and processes, such as Standard Operating Procedures.

Patient recruitment

The team can also help with planning successful recruitment strategies to maximise accrual.

Data collection & input

The team are able to expertly collect, enter data and manage study data and training on this area in accordance with governance requirements is also available for other staff who may be involved.

Study close-down and archiving

Once the study has ended, we can help to ensure it is closed down correctly and that archiving arrangements are in place and compliant with the regulations governing trials.