Research & Trials

Our vision:

To harness the full potential of research in the region, in order to maximise patient experience and outcomes, through a system-wide culture, which embraces collaborative innovation.

The Long Term Plan recognises the importance of research and innovation in driving improved outcomes in the NHS. Hospitals that are research active have lower mortality rates which not only extends to patients who are directly involved in research. As such, the SY&B ICS Cancer Alliance’s Delivery Plan lays out a number of research aspirations, which are also in line with many national research-based objectives.

A Cancer Alliance Research Framework was proposed to support the aspirations from the Delivery Plan and embed Research and Innovation across all work-streams and activities.

Main objectives of the new Research Framework:

• To promote a research-focused culture of working within the Cancer Alliance with a combined systems approach, so that Research and Innovation is embedded across all work-streams.
• To drive the innovative application of research, as well as maximising empirical research opportunities.
• To help support and improve relationships between researchers from a wide range of academic and clinical backgrounds within the region, through the establishment of a community of practice forum for cancer research across the Alliance footprint.
• To aid and accelerate innovation by fostering new ideas and identifying potential funding opportunities.
• To ensure research is a firm agenda item for Clinical Delivery Groups (CDGs), and that there are regular discussions around research opportunities at each stage of each pathway.
• To support the Alliance in achieving a growing cancer research portfolio that directly benefits patients and the public by linking with ongoing transformation planning.
• To increase accessibility and equity to research studies for patients with cancer by using current data and statistics to initiate discussions with CDGs and at Multidisciplinary Teams.
• To develop quality metrics related to trial accrual across the Alliance geography which would provide better visibility of uptake in comparison to the national picture.
• To identify and support inclusive opportunities for patients and the public to contribute to the design and development of locally led research, as well as involving the public in relevant Cancer Alliance Research Framework decision making.

Academic Health Science Network (AHSN): https://www.ahsnnetwork.com/

Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC): https://www.amrc.org.uk/

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC):  https://www.amrc.co.uk/

Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC): https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/specialisms/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre

Cancer Clinical Trials Centre at Weston Park Cancer Centre: https://www.westonparkcancercentre.nhs.uk/get-involved-in-research.html

NIHR Research Design Service: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/research-design-service.htm

School Health And Related Research (ScHARR): https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr

University of Sheffield Oncology and Metabolism:  https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicine/department-oncology-metabolism