Hywel Williams, National Research Development Support Unit Network
4 August 2006
Thank you for an excellent paper which underlines the need for comprehensive and equitable research support for healthcare research in the UK.
Although some Trusts have substantial support, others do not, especially in areas such as statistics.
I would like to draw reader's attention to the presence of a National Research Development Support Unit Network which covers most of England, and which is funded through the National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development (part of NHS R&D).
Local RDSU's are often in a good position to fill some of the gaps highlighted by this paper by providing training courses, organising meetings, and offering specific advice on such areas as statistics, health economics, qualitative research methods and user involvement.
Not everyone knows about the National RDSU network, and to find out if there is one near to you, please visit the National RDSU website (http://www.national-rdsu.org.uk/)and click on the map provided.
Competing interests
Hywel Williams is currently chair of the National RDSU network - an NHS-funded organisation whose remit is to help develop healthcare research capacity in the UK.
Don't forget the national RDSU network
4 August 2006
Thank you for an excellent paper which underlines the need for comprehensive and equitable research support for healthcare research in the UK.
Although some Trusts have substantial support, others do not, especially in areas such as statistics.
I would like to draw reader's attention to the presence of a National Research Development Support Unit Network which covers most of England, and which is funded through the National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development (part of NHS R&D).
Local RDSU's are often in a good position to fill some of the gaps highlighted by this paper by providing training courses, organising meetings, and offering specific advice on such areas as statistics, health economics, qualitative research methods and user involvement.
Not everyone knows about the National RDSU network, and to find out if there is one near to you, please visit the National RDSU website (http://www.national-rdsu.org.uk/)and click on the map provided.
Competing interests
Hywel Williams is currently chair of the National RDSU network - an NHS-funded organisation whose remit is to help develop healthcare research capacity in the UK.