Latest CLAHRC West call receives 29 project applications

We have received 29 project applications to our latest call, which closed at noon on Monday 7 March. These include 15 projects focusing primarily on integrated working, ten projects on optimal care, and four addressing other issues.

What happens next?

The applications are now being considered by our Research Advisory Panels (RAPs). There are two: RAP(a) comprises academics assessing scientific quality and robustness, and RAP(p) comprises members of the public and representatives of our partners to assess how the applications address patient, public and partner priorities. Both RAPs meet during April 2016. The findings from the two panels will be considered by a third panel – RAP(f) – which will make the final decisions. Results and feedback will be sent to lead applicants in May 2016.

What are the key requirements for applications in the 2016 call?

NIHR CLAHRC West aims to conduct high quality implementation and applied health research, providing evidence to improve patient care and public health across the west in collaboration with NHS organisations, local authorities, patients and the public, third sector organisations and universities. Research and implementation projects are collaborative, carried out in agreement with the proposer and colleagues in relevant organisations in the west.

The following criteria were signalled as particularly important in the 2016 call:

• Need to improve patient outcomes or public health
• Focus on person-centred care or patient involvement and empowerment
• Evidence of support from partner organisations
• (For integration proposals) a clear definition of integration and how integration is planned
• (For optimal care proposals) aiming to reduce unnecessary investigations or treatments, and/or interventions that do not provide benefit or may cause harm

Who sits on the RAPs?

RAP(a) is made up of academics to assess the scientific quality of the proposals. Members are:

• Tim Peters, University of Bristol (Chair)
• Yoav Ben-Shlomo, Epidemiology, University of Bristol
• Jo Coast, Efficiency, University of Bristol
• David Gunnell, Public Health, University of Bristol
• Julie Hapeshi, Research and Design Service, Gloucester
• Julian Higgins, Evidence, University of Bristol
• Tony Killard, University of the West of England
• Helen Lambert, Ethnography, University of Bristol
• Paul Moran, Mental Health, University of Bristol
• Shea Palmer, University of the West of England
• Chris Salisbury, Chronic health conditions, University of Bristol
• Gordon Taylor, University of Bath
• Christos Vasilakis, University of Bath

In attendance (not voting) are CLAHRC West staff:

• Jenny Donovan, CLAHRC West Director
• Elsa Marques, CLAHRC West
• Sarah Sullivan, CLAHRC West

RAP(p) is made up of representatives of our partner organisations, and public/patient contributors and academic patient and public involvement (PPI) representatives to assess the importance of the research for patient and public health benefit, and its relevance to organisations in the west. Members are:

• Peter Brindle, CCG Liaison (Chair)
• Joanna Copping, Public Health, Bristol City Council (representing local authorities)
• Andy Gibson, UWE (Patient and Public Involvement lead)
• Susan Hamilton, Public Health, South Glos Council (representing local authorities)
• David Noye, Wiltshire CCG (representing CCGs)
• Matthew Pearce, Gloucester CCG (representing CCGs)
• David Relph, Bristol Health Partners
• Cathy Rice, PPI (public contributor)
• Louise Rickett, South Gloucestershire CCG (representing CCGs)
• Jan Rose, PPI (public contributor)
• Natasha Swinscoe, WEAHSN
• Julian Walker, Avon & Wiltshire Partnership Trust (representing mental health trusts)
• David Wynick, UHBristol (representing acute hospital trusts)

In attendance (not voting) are CLAHRC West staff:

• Jenny Donovan, CLAHRC West Director
• Verity Leach, CLAHRC West
• Emer Brangan, CLAHRC West

The final RAP(f) will consider the ratings and views of the RAP(a) and RAP(p) and the capacity of the CLAHRC West research teams. Decisions will be made about which proposals will be proceeded with in full, which require further discussion and potentially modification, and which will receive detailed feedback and sign-posting elswhere.

Members of RAP(f) are:

• Mark Pietroni, Public Health, South Gloucestershire Council (CLAHRC West Board Chair)
• Tim Peters, Chair RAP(a)
• Peter Brindle, Chair RAP(p)

Attending on behalf of CLAHRC West to assess capacity are:

• Rosie Davies, CLAHRC West PPI research lead
• Jenny Donovan, CLAHRC West Director
• Richard Hocking, CLAHRC West Manager
• Jeremy Horwood, CLAHRC West team lead
• Kate Northstone, CLAHRC West team lead
• Niamh Redmond, CLAHRC West portfolio manager
• Sabi Redwood, CLAHRC West team lead
• Jelena Savovic, CLAHRC West team lead
• Penny Whiting, CLAHRC West team lead

Feedback will be provided to all applicants in May.