5.12. A proposal is in development for a new R&D team structure to facilitate a proportionate/risk-based approach to study review. This will take greater advantage of reviews already completed by others, streamline and expedite set-up, and help avoid duplication in accordance with the ‘do things once’ approach advocated by the UKCRD, NIHR and DHSC. A new core team of R&D generalists is proposed, who will be responsible for setting up ‘straightforward’ studies, and a team member will ‘own’ and act as the primary R&D lead/pathfinder for each study.
5.13. Specialist R&D teams (contracts, finance, governance) will still be required to support the set-up of more complex studies, but they can be scaled-back and staff reassigned to the new generalist team.
5.14. This proposed change will require new Job Descriptions and a formal Management of Change consultation.
5.15. Pharmacy and Radiology play a critical role in supporting clinical research at OUH. Pharmacy issued green light for only 5-10 new Clinical Trials of Investigational Medical Products (CTIMPs; drug trials) per month in 2025-26, but the demand was for more than 20/month. A recovery plan has been developed and is being implemented.
5.16. Radiology approval capacity has also delayed study set-up on a regular basis. Senior leaders in Radiology have agreed significant changes in process which have been implemented. These changes will increase time sensitive resources and streamline their processes.
6.1. Central to the delivery of the Trust's research portfolio is the clinical research delivery workforce. There are over 370 individuals working in 38 research delivery teams covering most clinical areas across the OUH.
6.2. Approximately 60% of the clinical research delivery workforce are employees of OUH, and around 40% (140) are employed by the University of Oxford and have honorary contracts with OUH.
6.3. The clinical research delivery workforce are predominantly registered nurses, but also include administrators, AHP & midwives and an increasing number of Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs) - see Figure 6.