Introducing
the
Mental
Health
Research
Network
The Mental Health Research Network is funded by and part of the National Institute for Health
Research (NIHR), and is one of the Topic Specific Networks of the UK Clinical Research Network.
The National Institute for Health Research
(NIHR) Mental Health Research Network (MHRN)
supports large-scale, high-quality research in
mental health and social care in the NHS, the
results of which inform policy and practice. The
projects running on the Network are investigating
and testing treatments for a range of mental
health problems: alcohol and drug addiction,
anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
autism, depression, eating disorders, learning
disabilities, psychosis and self-harm, for example.
Both commercial and non-commercially College London and the University
funded projects are supported by the of Manchester. The Network employs
MHRN, which helps research teams dedicated teams of staff based at
set up and run clinical trials and other eight ‘Hubs’ throughout England
well-designed studies, and gives them who work exclusively on organising
access to clinicians, services, potential the infrastructure needed to support
collaborators, service users and carers studies. The Hub teams maintain
willing to participate in research: more close contact with participating NHS
than 38 NHS Trusts, 40 Primary Care services and academic departments
Trusts and 20 universities are actively within their geographical boundaries.
involved in the MHRN. Researchers can Through the Hubs, the Network
also involve service users and carers has access to 60 per cent of England’s
as part of their team, or in an advisory NHS primary, secondary and social care
capacity, through Service Users in services. The MHRN works closely with
Research and FACTOR (Families/Friends other research networks coordinated
and Carers Together in Research), by the NIHR Clinical Research Network
both based at the MHRN Coordinating Coordinating Centre (NIHR CRNCC,
Centre in London. formerly UK Clinical Research Network
In 2008, there were more than Co-ordinating Centre) – such as the
130 projects in the MHRN portfolio, Primary Care Research Network and the
including randomised controlled trials, NIHR Comprehensive Clinical Research
cohort studies, service evaluations, Network – to extend geographical
qualitative studies, epidemiological coverage in England. By liaising with
research, genetic research and e-Science partner networks MHRN Cymru and
studies. Although the MHRN was set up the Scottish MHRN, research can be
to facilitate multi-centre or multi-site facilitated across the UK.The NIHR
projects, the Network also supports CRNCC measures performance to
small, single-site pilot studies. guarantee the MHRN’s commitment
The MHRN is managed jointly by to facilitate the delivery of research
the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s studies to target, on time.
What does the MHRN MRC/MHRN Cohort Dataset Directory
The MHRN, in collaboration with
offer to researchers? the Medical Research Council (MRC),
Administration and has developed a comprehensive,
bureaucracy-busting up-to-date, searchable, web-based
The Coordinating Centre team and database of population studies
teams based in each of the Hubs can relevant to mental health research
help researchers with administrative as a resource for mental health
set-up and organisation throughout researchers. To find out more,
each study’s life. visit www.mhrn.info/cohort/
Clinical Studies Officers (CSOs) directoryHome
based at each Hub help researchers
identify and recruit eligible participants, Training
and give those who have consented The Network organises a training
to take part in studies information programme to support mental
and support. Visit the MHRN website, health research.The training is
www.mhrn.info to find out more free of charge to people working
about the support CSOs can offer. or associated with studies in the
Named ‘Leads’ for Social Care MHRN portfolio, including members
and Primary Care at each Hub are of study teams, carers and service
specialists in their field and can help user representatives, and MHRN staff.
facilitate recruitment in social care In addition, there are courses about
and primary care services through methodological infrastructure run by
their network of contacts. the Network’s Methodology Research
Group, an interdisciplinary team
The MHRN can: of methodologists experienced in
n organise contractual and financial statistics, economics and psychometry,
arrangements if the project involves as well as the design and analysis
money being distributed to more of randomised controlled trials and
than one organisation; studies involving complex interventions.
n assist with research governance
applications; openCDMS Data Entry System
n arrange honorary contracts; openCDMS (previously called PsyGrid)
n publicise the study in NHS Trusts allows researchers involved in the same
and universities that are part project but located at different centres
of the Network to aid recruitment around the country to enter study data
and collaboration opportunities; onto a central database. All studies
n monitor the progress of each project; hosted by the MHRN are eligible to
n arrange and coordinate project use the electronic data entry system,
meetings; which is fully customisable. The system
n set up local site implementation is managed and hosted by the MHRN
groups to aid early detection and was developed at the University
of problems; of Manchester as part of a Medical
n help disseminate information Research Council-funded project.
about the study while it is ongoing e-Science Officers (eSOs) are based
and when it is complete. at each of the eight Hubs and provide
research teams with support if they
use openCDMS, helping them to set
up electronic data entry forms for each
study. Training in the use of the system
is available through online tutorials
or class-based hands-on sessions.
Working with FACTOR
commercial companies (Families/Friends and Carers
The MHRN can facilitate commercially-
funded studies, or trials sponsored by
Together in Research)
pharmaceutical, biotech and device FACTOR involves carers in research
companies, and tailors its support and makes information about
to meet their needs. Professor Tony research available to carers. Through
David is the Network’s Associate FACTOR and its network, carers can
Director for Industry and chairs contribute to the MHRN Clinical
an Industry Adoption Committee Research Groups (see below) and
that reviews commercial studies join teams of researchers working
to see if it is feasible to carry out on studies that are already running.
the research within the NHS, and FACTOR also organises events so
whether the Network has the that carers can hear about and
resources to offer the support the discuss current research.
study needs. A Commercial Research
Manager is based in the MHRN’s Contact FACTOR at
Coordinating Centre and is available MHRN Coordinating Centre
to advise commercial companies Institute of Psychiatry, PO77
who want to find out more about De Crespigny Park
the feasibility of working within London SE5 8AF
the NHS through the MHRN. Telephone: 020 7848 0644
Email: factor-mhrn@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Service Users in Research
Service Users in Research helps service Clinical Research Groups
users to take part in MHRN research, and Scoping Groups
and also helps the MHRN Hubs involve
These two sets of topic-specific
service users in their work. Service
groups are charged with developing
Users in Research develops good
new research within the MHRN.
practice guidelines and policies
The Clinical Research Groups
about the best way to involve
bring together carers, academics,
service users in research, and
clinicians, researchers and service
promotes awareness throughout
users to identify suitable topics
the MHRN of the value of including
for research and produce specific
service users in all stages of a
proposals that can be turned into
research study.
funded studies to run on the MHRN.
There are currently 32 Clinical
Contact
Research Groups working in priority
Thomas Kabir
areas identified by the Department
Service Users in Research Coordinator
of Health. Each Group is convened
Telephone: 020 7848 0644
and chaired by an internationally
Email: Thomas.Kabir@kcl.ac.uk
recognised researcher in the field.
Clinical Research Groups are
Freepost Plus RSAY-JJZB-BSLG
the creative drive of the MHRN and
MHRN Service Users in Research
are each developing a programme
PO77, Institute of Psychiatry
of research around key scientific
16 De Crespigny Park
issues in mental health to inform
London SE5 8AF
evidence-based practice.
The Scoping Groups are responsible
for investigating gaps and opportunities
in research in Department of Health- MHRN who’s who and
named priority areas. These Groups contact information
have already produced reports about
Children’s Mental Health; Families
and Carers of People with Mental Director
Illness; Older Age; and Social Care. Professor Til Wykes,
The reports are available on the Institute of Psychiatry
MHRN website, www.mhrn.info
Associate Directors
For Industry: Professor Tony David,
Joining the MHRN portfolio Institute of Psychiatry
For Information Technology: Professor
All UK mental health studies can apply
Shôn Lewis, University of Manchester
to become part of the MHRN portfolio,
For Performance: Professor Max
even if they are not based within the
Marshall, University of Manchester
Hub boundaries.
For User and Carer Involvement:
The MHRN hosts research but
Professor George Szmukler,
does not fund individual projects.
Institute of Psychiatry
All non-commercial studies adopted
by the Network will have undergone
Leads
independent peer review (usually
Experimental Medicine:
organised by the body awarding
Professor Bill Deakin,
the funding) and secured funding
University of Manchester
through open national competition.
Pharmacy: Professor David Taylor,
An independent Adoption, Advisory,
South London and Maudsley
Allocation Committee (3As) considers
NHS Foundation Trust
research proposals using four criteria:
Primary Care: Professor Helen Lester,
University of Manchester
n is there evidence of service
Social Care: Ms Di Bailey,
user and carer input in the
University of Durham
development of the proposals?;
n is the proposal in line with
Administrator
national mental health policy?;
Imogen Hood
n is it free of major
MHRN Coordinating Centre
ethical or design flaws?;
Institute of Psychiatry, PO77
n is it feasible to run the
De Crespigny Park
research on the Network?
London SE5 8AF
All applications are treated
Email: mhrn@iop.kcl.ac.uk
confidentially.
Website: www.mhrn.info
Chief Investigators should
Telephone: 020 7848 0699
submit an application form to
Fax: 020 7848 0696
the MHRN Coordinating Centre.
The form and detailed information
on the application process, as well
as dates of the 3As meetings, are
on the website, www.mhrn.info
Once studies are adopted, they
become part of the UK Clinical
Research Network Portfolio (Mental
Health Section) and must participate
and provide information for the
Portfolio Database.
Hub information
Areas covered by Mental Health
Research Network Hubs
North East Hub
North West Hub
East Midlands Hub
East Anglia Hub
Heart of England Hub
North London Hub
South London & South East Hub
West Hub
Areas covered by:
Scottish Mental Health
Research Network; Northern
Ireland Comprehensive Clinical
Research Network (Mental Health);
and Mental Health Research
Network Cymru
North East Hub
Hub Manager: Simon Douglas Email:
Room W1415 Simon.Douglas@ncl.ac.uk
Department of Psychiatry
Leazes Wing Telephone:
Royal Victoria Infirmary 0191 282 4427
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne Fax:
NE1 4LP 0191 222 6162
Population covered: 2.7 million in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham,
Teesside and a part of North Yorkshire
at clinical sites run by: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Academic partners: Newcastle University, Durham University
Lead: Professor Nicol Ferrier, Professor of Psychiatry, Newcastle University
Deputy Lead: Professor Joe Reilly, Clinical Director for Research & Development,
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Director, Mental
Health Research Centre, Durham University
Primary Care Lead: Professor Ann Crosland, Professor of Nursing, University of Sunderland
Social Care Lead: Ms Di Bailey, Reader in School of Applied Social Sciences,
Durham University
North West Hub
Hub Manager: Moira Winters Email:
The LANTERN Centre moira.winters@lancashirecare.nhs.uk
Vicarage Lane
Fulwood Telephone:
Preston 01772 773 515
Lancashire
PR2 8DY Fax:
01772 715 182
Population covered: 3.45 million
at clinical sites run by: Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals
NHS Trust
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust
Mersey Care NHS Trust
Academic partners: University of Manchester, University of Liverpool
information for North West Hub
continues over the page
Lead: Dr Richard Gater, Consultant Psychiatrist, Lancashire Care NHS
Foundation Trust
Deputy Lead: Dr Vimal Sharma, Consultant Psychiatrist, Cheshire and Wirral
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Primary Care Lead: Professor Mark Gabbay, Professor of Primary Care,
University of Liverpool
Social Care Lead: Dr Barbara Hatfield, Senior Lecturer in Social Work,
University of Manchester
East Midlands Hub
Hub Manager: Ann Priddey Email:
The Gateway Building ann.priddey@nottingham.ac.uk
Institute of Mental Health
University of Nottingham Telephone:
Innovation Park 0155 823 1302
Triumph Road
Nottingham
NG7 2TU
Population covered: 3.1 million in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire
at clinical sites run by: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Bassetlaw NHS Primary Care Trust
Derby City NHS Primary Care Trust
Derbyshire County NHS Primary Care Trust
Lincolnshire NHS Teaching Primary Care Trust
North East Lincolnshire NHS Care Trust Plus
North Lincolnshire NHS Primary Care Trust
Nottingham City NHS Primary Care Trust
Nottinghamshire County NHS Teaching Primary Care Trust
and at linked clinical sites run by: Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust
Academic partners: University of Lincoln, University of Nottingham
Lead: Professor Richard Morriss, Professor of Psychiatry and Community
Mental Health, University of Nottingham and Honorary Consultant
Psychiatrist, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Deputy Lead: Dr Brian Ferguson, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director of
Specialist Services, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Primary Care Lead: Professor Niro Siriwardena, Foundation Professor in Primary Care,
University of Lincoln and part-time GP
Social Care Lead: Professor Justine Schneider, Professor of Mental Health and Social
Care, University of Nottingham
Pharmacy Lead: David Branford, Pharmacist, Derbyshire Mental Health Services
NHS Trust
East Anglia Hub
Hub Manager: Angela Browne Email:
Douglas House angela.browne@cpft.nhs.uk
Trumpington Road
Cambridge Telephone:
CB2 8AH 01223 746 131
Population covered: 2.2 million in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire
at clinical sites run by: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
and at linked clinical sites run by: Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Academic partners: University of Cambridge, University of East Anglia
Lead: Professor Peter Jones, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
and Consultant Psychiatrist, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
NHS Foundation Trust
Deputy Lead: Professor Shirley Reynolds, Professor of Clinical Psychology,
University of East Anglia
Social Care Lead: Krishna Singh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Heart of England Hub
Hub Manager: Carly Cooper Email:
Birmingham and Solihull Mental carly.cooper@bsmhft.nhs.uk
Health NHS Foundation Trust
Radclyffe House Telephone:
66-68 Hagley Road 0121 678 4326
Edgbaston
B16 8PF
Population covered: 6.2 million in the West Midlands (including Birmingham, Dudley, Walsall,
Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Coventry), Leicestershire, Worcestershire,
Warwickshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire
at clinical sites run by: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley NHS Primary Care Trust
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social Care Trust
Walsall NHS Teaching Primary Care Trust
Wolverhampton City NHS Primary Care Trust
Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
and at linked clinical sites run by: South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust
Academic partners: University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University
University of Leicester, University of Warwick
University of Wolverhampton
information for Heart of England
Hub continues over the page
Lead: Professor Max Birchwood, Professor of Mental Health,
University of Birmingham
Deputy Lead: Dr Trevor Friedman, Consultant Psychiatrist, Leicestershire
Partnership NHS Trust
Social Care Lead: Dr Jerry Tew, Senior Lecturer, University of Birmingham
Pharmacy Lead: Anthony Oxley, Pharmacist, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
North London Hub
Hub Manager: Sandra O’Sullivan Email:
Imperial College London s.osullivan@imperial.ac.uk
Charing Cross Campus
The Claybrook Centre Telephone:
St Dunstan’s Road 020 7386 1237
London
W6 8RP Fax:
020 7386 1216
Population covered: 6.8 million in north, north-east, central, east and west London,
Hertfordshire, Essex and Berkshire
at clinical sites run by: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
West London Mental Health NHS Trust
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust
North East London Mental Health NHS Trust
Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
and at linked clinical sites run by: North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Academic partners: University College London, Imperial College London
Lead: Professor Peter Tyrer, Professor of Community Psychiatry,
Imperial College London
Deputy Lead: Professor Thomas Barnes, Professor of Clinical
Psychiatry, Imperial College London
Primary Care Leads: Ricky Banarsee, Director of West London Research Network
and Director of the Applied Research Unit, Brent NHS Teaching
Primary Care Trust
and Dr Marta Buszewicz, Senior Lecturer in Community Based
Teaching and Research, University College London
Social Care Lead: Dr Gerry Leavey, Research & Development Programme Lead,
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Pharmacy Lead: Michele Sie, Consultant Pharmacist, West London
Mental Health NHS Trust
South London & South East Hub
Hub Manager: Elizabeth Hutt Email:
Institute of Psychiatry, PO39 elizabeth.hutt@iop.kcl.ac.uk
De Crespigny Park
Denmark Hill Telephone:
London 020 7848 0691
SE5 8AF
Fax:
020 7848 0226
Population covered: 5.8 million in south London, Kent and Medway, Sussex, Surrey
at clinical sites run by: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
Academic partner: Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London
Lead: Professor Tom Craig, Professor of Community and Social Psychiatry,
Institute of Psychiatry
Deputy Lead: Dr Dominic Beer, Consultant Psychiatrist, Oxleas NHS Foundation
Trust, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Psychiatry and Chair,
South London Comprehensive Local Research Network
Primary Care Lead: Dr Henk Parmentier, GP
Social Care Lead: Dr Nick Hervey, Head of Social Care, Southwark Integrated Adult Mental
Health Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy Lead: Mr Ian Maidment, Chief Pharmacist, Kent and Medway NHS and
Social Care Partnership Trust
Industry Champion: Professor Tony Hale, Consultant in General and Forensic Psychiatry,
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust and Professor
of Psychiatry, University of Kent
West Hub
Hub Manager: Chantal Sunter Email:
Academic Unit of Psychiatry chantal.sunter@bristol.ac.uk
Cotham House
Cotham Hill Telephone:
Bristol 0117 331 0936
BS6 6JL
Population covered: 5.5 million in Avon (including Bristol, north Somerset and south
Gloucestershire), Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire
at clinical sites run by: Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust
information for West Hub
continues over the page
and at linked clinical sites run by: Southampton Mental Health and Primary Care Partnership
(a collaboration between the University of Southampton and
Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust)
Academic partners: University of Bristol, University of Bath,
University of the West of England, Bristol
Peninsula Medical School (Universities of Exeter and Plymouth)
University of Exeter, University of Plymouth
Lead: Professor Glyn Lewis, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and
Head of Academic Unit of Psychiatry, University of Bristol
Deputy Lead: Dr Peter Aitken, Director of Research & Development, Devon
Partnership NHS Trust, Co-Clinical Director, Peninsula Comprehensive
Local Research Network and Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Royal
Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Primary Care Lead: Professor Debbie Sharp, Professor of Primary Health Care,
Head of Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Bristol
Social Care Lead: Professor John Carpenter, Professor of Social Work and Applied
Social Science, University of Bristol
Pharmacy Lead: Graham Parton, Chief Pharmacist, Avon and Wiltshire Mental
Health Partnership NHS Trust
Other contacts
NIHR Clinical Research National Institute National Research
Network Coordinating for Health Research Ethics Service
Centre (NIHR CRNCC) www.nihr.ac.uk www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk
www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk
The NIHR is delivering The NRES protects the rights,
MHRN Cymru the government’s health safety, dignity and well-being
www.mhrnc.org research and development of research participants while
strategy, Best Research for facilitating and promoting
Scottish MHRN Best Health, by building a ethical research.
www.smhrn.org.uk vibrant and world-class
research environment
in England.
Published by the NIHR Mental Health Research Network, May 2009
MHRN Coordinating Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, PO77, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
www.mhrn.info