Innovative research project shortlisted for national award
An innovative project which has seen Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) bring together 40 different organisations to increase participation in mental health and dementia research has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
The Researching Together Network (RTN) initiative has been named as one of eight finalists in the Clinical Research Nursing category of the Nursing Times Awards 2022.
The network was formed in 2021 and brings together community-based charities, non-NHS organisations and third sector providers with the aim of increasing participation in mental health research among under-represented groups. This includes younger people, ethnic and cultural minorities, carers, people without stable housing and members of the LGBTQ+ community, which studies show are all less likely to take part in research.
The RTN works by providing non-NHS organisations with free access to training, learning seminars, newsletters and reports. In return, member organisations promote research opportunities to the communities they work with.
Louise McCarthy, Senior Nursing Research Lead with NSFT, said: “We believe that this innovative network is the first of its kind in the NHS and are delighted that it has been shortlisted for such a highly regarded national award.
“The inspiration for the RTN came from the recognition that many community and third sector organisations were carrying out fantastic work with under-represented groups, but were not engaged in the national research portfolio. We saw an opportunity to address that by working more closely together.
“The network has been a great success so far, with 40 organisations signing up within just 12 months. Already, 11 of those have been directly involved in recruiting to national research studies, while the RTN has also supported community organisations to build their own research capacity and increase their knowledge of clinical research.
“Our aim is to grow the network to 50 organisations by the end of 2022 so that we can encourage even more participation and reduce inequalities in research while sharing learning for the benefit of the communities we work with.”
The award winners will be announced during a ceremony at Grosvenor Park Hotel in London on 26 October.