Our vision
Our vision is to be a leader in delivering outstanding healthcare research fully integrated into clinical services that translates rapidly into service improvements and novel education programmes for the benefit of patients, public and staff. The Research and Innovation Strategy 2023 to 2028 sets out how will achieve this vision.
How we will do it
Our strategy is split into four distinct areas. Below is a summary of each of these areas. You can read the full version of the strategy by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page.
1. Patients and public
Research and innovation cannot take place without participants and public contributors.
We will:
- Increase opportunities for patients to take part in research studies.
- Support patients and members of the public to help us shape our research and set priorities.
- Make it easier for people from under-served communities to access research.
- Give all research participants the opportunity to feedback on their experiences and help us improve.
2. People, place and partners
High-quality research is a product of our staff, our full hospital services and our partner organisations.
We will:
- Work hard to embed research and innovation in how we deliver care at Leicester’s Hospitals.
- Develop research talent across all professions – Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals; and offer clearer career pathways for research delivery and support staff.
- Help create a consistent research framework for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through leadership and governance.
3. Performance and delivery
Research is a regulated activity to make sure that patients are kept safe, which we then balance with a need to open trials quickly so patients can access potentially life-changing treatments as soon as possible.
We will:
- Invest in our support staff so more trials can be opened as quickly as possible.
- Work with partners so that our research offices are joined up to support researchers working across different organisations.
- Set ambitious goals for trial recruitment to time and target.
- Increase our efficiency by streamlining our study set-up processes.
4. Opportunity for innovation
The NHS is a rich source of ideas to improve the ways we deliver care that benefit patients, staff and the wider community.
We will:
- Work with our partners to develop IT systems that improve access to healthcare data for research purposes.
- Create innovation challenges for our staff with funding available to support the best ideas.
- Use our new intellectual property policy to good effect so both our staff and the Trust benefit from innovations.
This vision works alongside a number of supporting strategies:
Research nursing and midwifery strategy:
The education and training strategy for nurses and midwives is for those working in research or with an interest in research, and identifies objectives and pathways for development. We actively encourage our nursing and midwifery workforce to consider careers as clinical research practitioners or as proactive researchers.
Career development opportunities will be offered at all levels and specialties, and discussed with staff as part of their training needs analysis on an annual basis. The programme of activities will support practitioners to comply with CPD requirements, as well as offering exciting opportunities to clinical academics.
Research therapy strategy
The research strategy for occupational therapists and physiotherapists is complementary to the nursing and midwifery strategy outlined above. The aim of this strategy is to support and build research awareness, involvement, activity and leadership by therapists across the Trust, at all levels. This strategy is intended to support the Trust’s priorities to maximise the opportunities for our patients to benefit from research and for research to be seen as core business rather than an adjunct to our clinical services.
Career development opportunities will be offered across the board and discussed with staff as part of a training needs analysis at annual appraisal. In the report, we set out our plans for therapy over the next three years.
This strategic plan for therapy research aims to build on our existing strengths and to develop a research culture within UHL, which enables, values and celebrates the impact that therapy research has on patient care.
We believe that therapists at all levels and roles can (and should) be involved in research.
For more information please contact Linzy Houchen-Wolloff, Research Lead for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy or telephone 0116 250 2759.
Access a copy of the Research Therapy strategy (CRPs):
Download the research therapy strategyClinical research practitioners’ strategy (CRPs)
CRPs have supported the delivery of research for many years. Their contributions make a difference to the lives of many patients and research participants. This strategy is based on the feedback we received from CRPs and what they want to see in clinical practice: a clear career progression pathway, being recognised for their valuable contributions, and access to training opportunities. The National Institute for Health and Care Research Coordinating Centre and the local CRN have endorsed and supported this strategy. By sharing the strategy here, we hope that it can also be used by other organisations to support the professional development of CRPs.
This strategy is designed with the needs of individual research areas in mind. A list of job descriptions and person specifications is available as an appendix.
Download the clinical research practitioners’ strategyRelated content
University Hospitals of Leicester Research and Innovation Strategy 2023-28 Full Version (11MB pdf)