Yes. A 7-stage action plan was activated on 12th March 2020 and is reviewed by the R&D Senior Management Team daily.
On 11th May 2020, clinical research moved to Restart, Reset and Recovery https://newcastlejro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/RD_restart_final.pdf
Information below explains the requirements for Newcastle Sponsored trials and studies. Please note that Sponsor green light does not mean the trial/study can open at all participating sites. Investigators need to work with their Principal Investigators (PIs) across the UK to ensure all areas involved can restart. Chief Investigators (CIs) must have an awareness of other Trusts policies and opening of all sites will, in most cases, be staggered.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is working with partners across the health and care system to ensure that the Government is making best use of the limited resource and capacity available to support research into COVID-19.
With regard to HRA approvals, researchers should first make an application through the national prioritisation process. They will be signposted for expedited regulatory approvals so that approval review can progress in parallel to the system of assessment leading to a view from CMO/DCMO on prioritisation.
Yes. All NHS Trusts, health and care providers and universities will need to prioritise support for studies which have been nationally prioritised. However, there are a large number of such studies and local prioritisation will also be necessary.
Yes, only when this does not impact on the system’s ability to recruit participants and/or provide the resources (including staff, samples and data) needed to support nationally prioritised research. A group, chaired by the Clinical Director for R&D, reviews all COVID-19 pipeline studies and decisions are taken as to whether to proceed or not. The final decision rests with the Clinical Director for R&D.