About Us

The changing regulatory and governance environment has increased the need for consistent and definitive advice for those working in clinical research in the UK. As a result the UKCRC have established the Regulatory & Governance Advice Service (UKCRC R&G Advice Service), to provide advice to research managers, primarily in the NHS and university sectors. The Department of Health R&D Strategy, Best Research for Best Health, also introduced plans to support an advice service with front-line advisers and national regulatory experts. It was agreed that this should be delivered as part of the UKCRC service.

The service is coordinated by the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) and the Medical Research Council, collectively forming the Advice Service Coordinating Team. It is supported by an Advice Network consisting of representatives from UK Regulatory and Governance bodies.

A pilot of the Advice Service was conducted between September 2006 and March 2007 involving various geographical locations in the UK.  The Service was launched UK-wide between April and June 2007, through a series of roadshows.

The UKCRC Advice Service complements advice that is given at the local level, by NHS and University R&D departments, and the local R&D office should be the first port of call for researchers. UK support is provided in the following ways:

• The development of authoritative on-line resources

Training

Data and Tissues Tool Kit

Experimental Medicine Tool Kit (under development)

Question and Answer site

• Resolution of complex queries relating to individual projects, submitted by local advice providers, such as research managers in R&D offices in NHS organisations and universities.