On behalf of the Department of Health, NETSCC has developed and implemented collaborative activity to coordinate all NIHR randomised trials. This activity provides a level of awareness and focus for the NIHR randomised trials portfolio and planning. This work facilitates the NIHR to articulate and communicate its position as the main public funder of trials in the UK.
Randomised trials are focused upon as these are internationally recognised as a ‘high profile, flag-ship gold standard’ research methodology. They are an important design type when examining interventions, of particular relevance to the NIHR and NHS, and constitute the largest component of the NIHR portfolio. Wider research activity is not currently within scope for pragmatic reasons, although this may be reviewed in due course.
‘NIHR Randomised Trials Coordination’ in this context refers to a process whereby:
- NETSCC coordinates activities on behalf of the NIHR and develops appropriate data and reporting resources. The commissioning and monitoring of trials will remain with the awarding NIHR programme.
- NETSCC acts as a point of contact for the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of trials across the NIHR, and signposts and collaborates with other NIHR partners including the Research Design Service, the UKCRC Registered CTU Network and the MRC / NIHR Methodology Research Programme as appropriate.
- Portfolio awareness and reporting (including development, refinement and improvement of reporting and information across NIHR Programmes and funding streams)
- Methods in research (including the signposting and development of key NIHR documents, guides and expectations in trial design, conduct and reporting of trials)
Coordination activities focus on two main areas:
Information and resources regarding the range of trial activities developed by NIHR to support its trials portfolio and the researchers, clinicians and patients involved can be found at NIHR Trials Overview.
Randomised controlled Trial (RCT)
An experiment in which two or more interventions, possibly including a control intervention or no intervention, are compared by being randomly allocated to participants.