Our Task and Finish Groups are time-limited and lead topical work programmes relating to efficient trial conduct, good research practice, quality standards, and the capacity and sustainability of non-commercial CTUs.
Our current Groups include: Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement, Staff Development and Sustainability and Smarter Working. Previous groups included Participant Data Sharing, Insurance, Industry and many others.
Their deliverables are agreed with the UKCRC CTU Executive Group and underpinned by a set of Terms of Reference which are specific to each Group.
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement
Patient and public involvement and engagement in the design and planning of research improves the quality and relevance of clinical research. CTUs must work collaboratively to develop and share best practice and make the best use of the limited resources available. This group will identify and develop resources to help member CTUs to effectively involve and engage patients and the public in their work.
Find out more about the PPI&E Group’s activities here.
Membership
Sally Hopewell (Chair) – Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit
Laura Farrelly (Deputy Chair) – MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL
Liz Allaway – Southampton Clinical Trials Unit
Laura Cowley – Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit
Andrea Harkin – CaCTUS
Tracy Ibbotson – Glasgow Clinical Trials Unit
Gulnaz Iqbal – Warwick Clinical Trials Unit
Zahra Jamal – LSHTM Clinical Trials Unit
Caroline Rick – Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit
Karen Turner – Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit
This Group also involves patient representatives.
Staff Development & Sustainability
Clinical Trials Units have demonstrated their effectiveness as centres of trials excellence. Building the strength, stability, and sustainability of member units is important in ensuring that they are able to continue to deliver high-quality non-commercial clinical trials research in the UK both now, and in the future. Well-trained and appropriately developed staff are key to this endeavour. This group will identify recommendations around staff training, development and retention to ensure registered CTUs have, and keep the best staff. This group will also focus activities on promoting careers in clinical trials to ensure that registered CTUs are recruiting and developing the excellent trialists of the future. Some activities are being undertaken collaboratively with the UK Trial Managers Network in relation to recruitment and retention.
Find out more about the Staff Development & Sustainability Group’s activities here.
Membership
Victoria Allgar – Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit
Gina Cranswick – Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit
Lucy Culliford – Bristol Trials Centre
Melanie Ferrao – MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL
Rhian Gabe – Barts Clinical Trials Unit
Matthew Hammond – Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
Helen Hancock – Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit
Helen Hickey – Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre
Fiona Hogarth – Tayside Clinical Trials Unit
Nigel Kirby – Centre for Trials Research
Eleanor Mitchell – UK Trial Managers’ Network
Caroline Murphy – King’s Clinical Trials Unit
Claire Snowdon – Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit
Kayleigh Stanbury – National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit
Smarter Working (Pharmacovigilance)
The Working Smarter Group started in the spring of 2021, when a number of CTU representatives began informally discussing remote Serious Adverse Event reporting. Recognising the opportunity provided by the increasing move to electronic and/or fully online working more generally, their remit has since expanded.
Find out more about the Smarter Working Group’s activities here.
Membership
Sarah Baos – Bristol Trials Centre
Heather Barclay – Tayside Medical Science Centre
Carrie Bayliss – Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit
Hannah Berntsson – Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit
Judith Cohen – Hull Health Trials Unit
Keira Fines – Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit
Lisa Fox – The Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit
Jacqueline Gourlay – Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit
Marc Jones – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Emma Laing – Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre Clinical Trials Unit
Abby O’Connell – Exeter Clinical Trials Unit
Pamela Whittaker – Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit
Katie Wilkinson – The Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit
Bronwen Williams – Hull Health Trials Unit
International Trials Group
Assembled with a global perspective and a unifying mission, the International Trials Group is dedicated to advancing the field of clinical trials on an international scale. Our collective endeavours are geared towards highlighting the importance of international collaboration and cross-border research in the realm of clinical trials. By accentuating the pivotal role of our members, we aim to foster a greater understanding of the essential contributions made by this group in facilitating multi-national trials and accelerating the progress of medical science worldwide. Through our cooperative initiatives, we strive to strengthen global partnerships, harmonize research practices, and ultimately improve the quality and reach of clinical trials on an international stage.
Find out more about the International Trials Group’s activities here.
Membership
Helen Evans (Chair) – UKCRC Registered CTU Network Programme Manager
Amy Bremner – LSHTM Clinical Trials Unit
Mike Clark – Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit
Julie Croft – Leeds Clinical Trials Research Unit
Catherine Hewitt – York Trials Unit
Caroline Murphy – King’s Clinical Trials Unit
Charles Opondo – LSHTM Clinical Trials Unit
Chief Investigator Network Group
This group will use their collective expertise to develop and share best practice in building stronger relationships and collaborations between Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) and the chief investigator (CI) community in the conduct of clinical trials.
Find out more about the Chief Investigator Network Group’s activities here.
Membership
Rustam Salman (Chair) – Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit
Tom Hellyer (Deputy Chair) – Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit
Amy Ahern – Cambridge Epidemiology & Trials Unit
Ceri Battle – Swansea Trials Unit
Ashwin Dhanda – Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit
Alistair Hay – Bristol Clinical Trials Centre
Anna Kirby – The Institute of Cancer Research Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit
Katie Morris – Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit
David Russell – Leeds Clinical Trials Research Unit
Rona Smith – Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit
