Research
The Dorset Cancer Research Network (DCRN) is part of the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN).
The NCRN is made up of 32 cancer research networks spread across England. The NCRN is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) which provides researchers with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in the NHS, so that more research takes place across England, and more patients can take part.
The NCRN was established in April 2001 and provides the NHS with an infrastructure to support high-quality cancer clinical studies and to improve the speed, quality and integration of research resulting in improved patient care.
The aim of DCRN is to support well-designed cancer trials and other studies in order to increase and widen participation in research, resulting in improved patient care.
Research network staff are employed by the NHS through funds provided expressly to support cancer research.
The DCRN central organisational team consists of a clinical lead and research network manager, supported by a research administrator.
Frontline research is conducted by teams of specialist research staff within each of the three acute hospital trusts in Dorset:
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- The Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The hospital research teams include clinicians, research nurses and data/trial managers. They are dedicated to the promotion, recruitment and day-to-day running of clinical trials, as well as providing additional care and support to all patients involved. The research teams provide patients with the opportunity of participating in an extensive and dynamic NCRN portfolio of high quality studies into the exploration and treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers.
