About Research and Innovation at DCHS
Our vision is to increase capacity, capability and participation in research and innovation as we embed a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation
- We identify and set up research studies for DCHS to participate in.
- We offer expertise, advice and guidance to enable staff to achieve their research goals.
- We signpost to training and resources.
- We integrate research into clinical services.
- We support patients and protect safety during clinical trials, collect accurate data to develop evidence based practice.
The Research Team works collaboratively with commissioners, funders, research practitioners and patients to initiate, develop and promote high quality research and innovation at local and national levels.
We would love to hear from anyone that is interested in research.
Click here to view the team members
Email us - E: dchst.research.enquiries@nhs.net
or call us on T: 01246 515670.
Take a look at DCHS's Research Strategy which set out the Trust's strategic plan for doing and participating in research and innovation over the next few years.
Take a look at our infographics by clicking here, it gives an overview of what we can offer.
What counts as research? Could what you are thinking be service evaluation/audit?
Click here for information to help you decide whether a project is research, audit, service evaluation or public health surveillance. If the project is evaluation and audit please contact the improvement, innovation and effectiveness team.
- What approvals do you need? Click here for information about health research governance.
- Need to fund your research? Search for funding opportunities from: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funding; Medical Research Council (MRC) funding; National Institute of Health Research Partners - Click here for funding organisations that meet the NIHR Partner criteria and are automatically eligible for consideration for NIHR RDN support.
- Writing a research protocol? Click here to access the research protocol format recommended by the World Health Organization
- Need training in Good Clinical Practice? Click here for information on training and courses available
Resources
Writing for publications
Looking for information on how to get published?
​Whether you need access to resources, training or a quiet place to study we can help you. Click here to access some of the Derbyshire NHS Library & Knowledge Services useful resources and links to websites, training, library books and published articles about how to write for publication.
Posters and Display Material
This YouTube video is about creating simple, eye catching and engaging research posters for presentation sessions where people are actively browsing rather than static poster displays in foyers.
Get a scientific poster template here.
How to find Free Published Research
What to do when approached to participate in or share research within DCHS
Please let the DCHS Research & Innovation Team know (dchst.research.enquiries@nhs.net) when you are presented with a research opportunity for NHS staff, patients or your service. Before undertaking or sharing it.
This includes the sharing of:
- Posters, leaflets, surveys, or recruitment materials
- Student projects, national projects, independent projects
- Internal communications (e.g. emails, newsletters, intranet posts)
- External communications (e.g. social media, press releases)
Why this matters:
- Ensures research is ethically and legally compliant
- Protects patient confidentiality and data integrity
- Aligns with NHS Trust policies and national research frameworks
- Enables our research to have the greatest impact for patients and staff
Please see the full guidance here.
Millions of people take part in research each year. People just like you help shape how care is provided, what medicines and treatments are used and to find cures and treatments for the future generations.
Every day within the UK and worldwide someone is diagnosed with a disease or condition that requires some sort of treatment. All of these treatments would have been informed by research.
If you're interested in taking part in research outside of DCHS please visit BePartofResearch.
DCHS has identified Research and Innovation as an area of importance in delivering our Trust Strategy.
T2T - Treat to Target in Gout: What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of using a goal-directed allopurinol-based treat-to-target protocol in people with recurrent gout flares.
Prospective, multicenter, parallel, open-label, randomized, controlled trial to investigate the ability of Cutimed® Sorbact® to decrease the risk of infections in subjects with non-infected diabetic foot ulcers compared to standard of care (ID:C3206) - Wound infections are one of the risk factors leading to diabetic foot ulcer deterioration, burdensome follow-up treatments, and toe/foot amputation. Infection prevention and management is therefore a key aspect in treating such wounds. The capability of the study products to prevent infection has been investigated mainly in acute wounds such as after a surgery or immediately after an injury. This study aims to gain more insight into the preventive effect of the study product in wounds considered “hard-to-heal” e.g., diabetic foot ulcers.
D-MAPP – is a web-based app that helps people manage upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (like arm, wrist, or hand pain). It can be used on a smartphone, tablet, computer, or laptop. The app provides a personalised physio programme, along with extra support to help with recovery. This study will look at whether using D-MAPP alongside usual care is more effective at improving pain and movement than usual care on its own.
AFLOAT Placebo-controlled RCT of antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infection in older people presenting in primary care - This study is looking at whether antibiotics are really needed for older adults (aged 65 and over) with a chest infection (lower respiratory tract infection, or LRTI) that isn’t serious. Specifically, it asks whether people who take a placebo (a dummy treatment) recover just as well as those who take antibiotics. The study aims to find out if people aged 65+ with risk factors get better just as quickly when they take a placebo instead of antibiotics. Recovery is measured by the time it takes for all symptoms to become mild or go away completely.
The Winter Pressures Study explores how the increased demand for healthcare during the winter months affects GP practices and the services they provide. During winter, practices often experience higher numbers of patients due to seasonal illnesses such as flu and respiratory infections. The study aims to understand how this increased demand impacts workload, patient access, and service delivery in general practice.
The Impact of Having a Long Lie After a Fall study explores the effects of remaining on the floor for an extended period after a fall, particularly among older adults. The research aims to understand how long lies affect physical health, wellbeing, and recovery. The findings will help healthcare professionals identify risks and improve support and prevention strategies for people who experience falls.
The Genes & Health study is a population-based research project focusing on British-Bangladeshi and British-Pakistani communities. It combines DNA sequencing, medical records, and participant follow-up to understand how genetics and health interact in these populations. The study aims to identify genetic and environmental factors that influence disease risk and to help develop more effective, tailored healthcare for these communities.
Clinical and cost-effectiveness of DEsogestrel versus the combined oral contraceptive pill for problem Bleeding on the etonogestrel Implant (The DEBI Trial) - The DEBI trial is looking at people aged 16-45 years with problem bleeding whilst using the etonogestrel implant (implant) for contraception. The aim is to understand whether desogestrel (a progestogen only pill) is as good as the combined oral contraceptive pill (combined pill which contains estrogen and progesterone) in treating people with problem bleeding whilst using the implant.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of implant users experience some form of problem bleeding once the implant has been inserted.
We’re working with the Integrated Sexual Health teams at Florence Nightingale Hospital and Wheatbridge to offer this valuable research to our patients.
Development and validation of a screening tool for social frailty in older people - This study is exploring social frailty in older adults, the risk of losing the social connections, support, and activities that help people stay independent and involved in their communities.
Researchers are testing a new screening tool designed to help health and social care professionals identify people who may be at risk and provide appropriate support at an earlier stage.
We are in the process of setting up other exciting research, keep checking back for updates or email the research team to enquire directly.
TEVIS - Therapists Experience using Video in Stroke Cognitive Assessment
Virology ORCHID (Oxford Uni) - Patients with respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath) can request a virology test from takeatest.com to help track respiratory viruses across the population.
For a list of publications that DCHS staff have been involved in please click here.
Supporting you as you research
Health Education England/NIHR Clinical Scholars Programmes: These programmes are part of the HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Training Programme for non-medical healthcare professionals, click here for more information and check to see if you're eligible here.
Here are some critical appraisal tools to help you evaluate research papers so you can establish if the paper is relevant to the subject you are/would like to research: CASP, BestBet, CEBM, JBI, Sign
e-LfH is currently developing and delivering over 150 e-learning programmes in partnership with the professional bodies such as Royal Colleges and associations, Department of Health policy teams and other arm's length bodies.
Click here for NIHR's website which is dedicated to your learning and development in health and social care research, the website has a wealth of information and resources.
NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs): These support applied health and care research that responds to, and meets, the needs of local populations and local health and care systems. The NIHR ARC East Midlands (EM) is one of 15 ARCs across England, part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public. click here for more details.
EMER: The East Midlands Evidence Repository (EMER) is the official institutional research repository for: Derbyshire Community Health Services, Leicester Partnership Trust, NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, Nottinghamshire Healthcare, Sherwood Forest Hospitals, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton and the University Hospitals Of Leicester.
EMER is intended to make NHS research more visible and discoverable by capturing, storing and preserving the East Midlands research output and making it available to the research community through open access protocols.
INVOLVE: National advisory group who promote public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.
I Am Research: An NIHR campaign which aims to promote the benefits of clinical research to patients, the general public and health professionals.
Clinical Trial Gateway: Provides easy to understand information about clinical trials run in the UK.
Funding Sources
How to Secure Funding: The first step to funding your research.
Health Research Authority: HRA and Research Ethics Committee approval.
NIHR Introduction: National Institute of Health Research.
NIHR Learn: Offers a range of resources to develop your knowledge of clinical research and support you to do what you do best. Create an account to access the learning and development resources.
CRN Portfolio: NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio.
NIHR Research Design Service: Research project design and funding application.
East Midlands CLAHRC: Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care.
IRAS applications: Integrated Research Application System.
CHAIN: Contact, Help, Advice and Information Network (CHAIN). Online support network of people working in Health and Social Care.
Vitae: Research Development Framework (RDF) is a new approach to research development, to enhance our capacity to build the UK workforce, develop world-class reserachers and build our research base.
Writing for publications
Looking for information on how to get published? ​Whether you need access to resources, training or a quiet place to study we can help you. Click here to access some of the Derbyshire NHS Library & Knowledge Services useful resources and links to websites, training, library books and published articles about how to write for publication.
Posters and Display Material
This YouTube video is about creating simple, eye catching and engaging research posters for presentation sessions where people are actively browsing rather than static poster displays in foyers.
Get a scientific poster template here.
How to find free published research
At DCHS we value evidence based practice and clinical effectiveness. In order to support you in continuing your development, knowledge and expertise you will have free access to an OpenAthens account. You will be able to gain access to electronic resources such as e-journals, databases and point of care tools. OpenAthens is a management system which authenticates access to these resources.
To register and gain access, please click here: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/
For any help on registering, logging in or navigating around the resources available through OpenAthens, please contact the Derbyshire NHS Library and Knowledge Service at:
Email: crhft.library@nhs.net Tel: 01246 513035 Website: http://www.dchslibrary.co.uk/