Category: Research

Supporting the research workforce across the NHS

A new briefing from NHS Providers brings together practical examples of how trusts are strengthening and supporting their research workforce. The resource highlights real world approaches that organisations have used to build research into everyday workforce planning, create opportunities for staff, and embed a culture of enquiry and innovation.

For teams interested in growing their research activity, the briefing offers clear and replicable ideas that can help services develop staff skills, improve evidence based practice, and support better outcomes for patients and communities.

Read more: Schemes for supporting the research workforce

Transforming UK Clinical Research – August 2025 Update

The UK government’s August 4, 2025 update on clinical research makes notable progress in streamlining trial delivery via the UK Clinical Research Delivery (UKCRD) programme. Major highlights include:

  • A bold target to reduce clinical trial setup times to 150 days or less, enabled by digitalisation, reduced bureaucracy, and standard contracts. Phase 1 deliverables were released in April 2025 and phase 2 in June 2025.
  • The VPAG investment programme is enabling faster commercial trial delivery by establishing new Commercial Research Delivery Centres across the UK.
  • A shift toward a “right research, right setting” model aims to move more studies into primary and community care, making research more accessible locally.
  • The ‘proactive portfolio management’ approach is being adopted to enhance collaboration between NIHR and industry, including SMEs, with oversight via an Industry Advisory Group.
  • The reforms build on previous commitments, with streamlined costing and contracting frameworks already completed across NHS England and devolved systems.

Read the full update from the Department of Health and Social Care here: Transforming the UK clinical research system: August 2025 update – GOV.UK

Community Health Bulletin

Current Awareness Bulletin With thanks to our colleagues from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust please find the latest bulletin attached. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account.

In this edition:

  • Older northerners struggle with “alarming” inequalities compared to people from the South
  • Understanding drivers of recent trends in young people’s mental health
  • Taking action on obesity: what do the public think?
  • Invest in better mental health support for people in the criminal justice system, say charities
  • Postnatal depression harming up to 85,000 new mums in England, warns RCPsych
  • Still the Government’s best-kept secret? Access to Work for people with mental health difficulties

For support accessing any of the articles, please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

CB-30Jul25Download

Eating Disorder Bulletin January 2025

The latest Eating Disorder Bulletin is now available to view or download. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. Please get in touch for support with this: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Jan 2025Download

Eating Disorder Bulletin December 2024

The latest Eating Disorder Bulletin is now available to view or download. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. Please get in touch for support with this: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Eating Disorders Dec 24Download

Top New Books 2024

Our library is proud to present Our top picks of 2024! This year, we’ve expanded our offerings with carefully curated collections on critical topics like dementia care, coaching resources. These selections provide invaluable support for professionals, caregivers, and anyone eager to deepen their understanding. Explore these new additions and discover how they can empower and inform your journey.

BMJ Best Practice

Funded by Health Education England, free to all NHS staff and learners

BMJ Best Practice uses the latest evidence-based research, guidelines and expert opinion to offer step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention.

Click here and enter your OpenAthens username and password to sign in. If you are a new user, you will need to register for a BMJ Best Practice personal account.

You can use your personal account to download the free BMJ Best Practice app for access anywhere, anytime, even offline.

Eating Disorder Bulletin October 2024

The latest Eating Disorder Bulletin is now available to view or download. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. Please get in touch for support with this: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

Eating Disorders Oct 24Download

Community Health

Current Awareness Bulletin With thanks to our colleagues from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust please find the latest bulletin attached. Some articles are freely accessible, others require an Open Athens account. For support accessing any of the articles, please contact academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk.

CB-8Oct24Download