Welcome to the Thames Valley Local Research Network
Hosted by Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
Introduction
The Thames Valley Research Network is part of the Diabetes Research Network. The Diabetes Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) - (formerly UKCRN) which was established by the Department of Health and aims to improve the speed, quality, and integration of research, ultimately resulting in improved patient care.
The Thames Valley Research Network covers hospitals and Primary Care Practices in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Coventry and Warwickshire. The total population served is over 3 million.
The Team
Clinical Lead
Professor Andrew Farmer
Network Manager
Sharon Parsons
Email: Sharon.Parsons@orh.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01865 857500
Administrator
Wendy Warland
Email: wendy.warland@orh.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01865 857509
Clinical Trials Officers
Jayne Starrett (Patient and Public Involvement Lead)
Email – Jayne.starrett@orh.nhs.uk
Telephone – 01865 857510
Julie Allen
Email: julie.allen2@orh.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01865 857549
Research Nurses
- Annette Williams (Senior Research Nurse) – Buckinghamshire
- Pamela Coward – Buckinghamshire
- Sonya Walia - Milton Keynes
- Julie Sutton – Berkshire
- Sue Rous (Senior Research Nurse) – Oxfordshire
- Clare Camidge – Oxfordshire
- Nicky McRobert – Oxfordshire
- Penny Parsons (Senior Research Nurse) – Warwickshire
- Sundeep Due – Coventry
- Selvin Selvamoni – Coventry/Warwickshire
- Toni van Voorst – Coventry
Secondary Care Partners
- Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust – Dr Jonathan Levy
- Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust – Dr Julie Edge
- University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust – Professor Sudhesh Kumar, Dr Paul O’Hare (Hospital of St Cross, Rugby)
- Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust – Dr Ian Gallen
- Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Trust – Dr Asif Ali, Dr Shanthi Chandran
- George Eliot Hospitals NHS Trust – Dr Vinod Patel, Dr Ponnusamy Saravanan
- Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – Dr Hugh Simpson
- South Warwickshire NHS Trust
Academic Partners
- University of Oxford – Professor Rury Holman
- University of Warwick – Dr Tim Holt
Associate Sites
The network is delighted to now be working with Hampshire Isle of Wight Comprehensive Local Research Network (HIOW CLRN). The TV DLRN is working in collaboration with colleagues in the HIOW CLRN area, in particular Professor Mike Cummings, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Dr Arun Baksi on the Isle of Wight.
Primary Care
The Thames Valley Diabetes Local Research Network is working in partnership with the local Primary Care Research Networks.
We are currently running a link practice scheme across the Thames Valley area whereby general practices are reimbursed for their links to the Thames Valley Diabetes Local Research Network. The scheme has been running since Spring 2008 with a number of practices in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Coventry and Warwickshire taking part. A review in Spring 2009 concluded the scheme has been successful, providing benefit to both general practices and the network, improving research links and awareness in primary care. It is envisaged the scheme will continue to build on it’s success and will be re-evaluated in 2010.
The Launch
The Thames Valley Diabetes Local Research Network had an official launch on Monday June 11th 2007. The event was attended by a wide range of representatives from organisations with an interest in Diabetes Research across the Thames Valley.
Launch presentation 
by Professor Andrew Farmer (opens in a new window)
Information leaflet about TVLRN 
(opens in a new window)
Latest Information
In October 2008 we held an Open Evening to provide patients and members of the public with information on how they can get involved with the network. Following this event, a Reference Group has been established for patients and members of the public to be involved in patient advocacy, establishing recruitment strategies and to provide advice to researchers on study design. The group meet regularly in the Thames Valley throughout the year.
The Network also held a Research Training Day in Oxford on 30th April 2009. The theme of the day was “The Research Process” and included presentations on the concept and design of research projects and an overview of the projects supported by the TV DLRN. The overwhelming feedback from the patients and members of the public who attended was that the day had been both informative and useful. We plan to hold similar events in the future and are looking forward to continuing to work with patients and members of public in the Thames Valley area.
Getting Involved
Getting involved in research does not just mean taking part in clinical trials. There are a number of ways in which you can get involved and become part of the DRN’s activities, from registering to receive our updates to participating in surveys, clinical trials and research groups. To find out more please contact Jayne Starrett, Thames Valley Diabetes Local Research Network Patient & Public Involvement Lead via email: jayne.starrett@orh.nhs.uk or telephone 01865 857510. Further information can also be found by visiting the UKDRN Patient and Public Involvement page.
If you would like to register your contact details for future involvement opportunities please visit the registration form.
Jobs
Thames Valley DLRN Clinical Lead – View the Job Description