The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) was created in 2005. Its aim is to improve the co-ordination, speed and quality of randomised controlled trials and other well designed studies of medicines for children and adolescents. This includes those for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The MCRN has extensive knowledge and experience of paediatric research, and supports non-commercial, pharmaceutical/biotech-sponsored and investigator-led partnership studies in NHS sites across all of England.
The NIHR MCRN is funded by the Department of Health. It works in partnership with the NIHR Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) to improve the UK’s clinical research environment and maximise the development of safe and effective medicines and formulations for children.
London and South East Local Research Network
The London & South East Local Research Network covers 33 NHS Trusts across the whole of London. Although hosted at Great Ormond Street Hospital, the LRN is based on an equal partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bart’s and the Royal London NHS Trust and Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Trust.
The MCRN team is led by Dr William van’t Hoff as the Local Network Director, Dr Sharon Barrett (Senior Network Manager), Dr Shane Tibby, Dr Nick Croft, Dr Paul Heath and Dr Denis Azzopardi as Network Co–Directors. With a core team of seven research nurses, a Portfolio Manager,PA/ Administrator and Formulations Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy, they support over 180 clinical trials across all centres in the region.
The MCRN also works closely with local Research & Development offices and engages with the local Comprehensive Research Networks (CLRNs) in London and the South East.
Our Services
The MCRN staff are highly experienced in managing and conducting clinical studies. We provide support and assistance to clinical teams in a variety of ways:
- Protocol development and feasibilities
- Study set up, gaining regulatory approvals and close down
- Clinical nursing support
- Specimen collection, packaging & dispatch
- Training and education of local staff
- Publicity and promotion
For information on the MCRN, study eligibility and adoption process, and for information on commercial studies please visit:
www.mcrn.org.uk
The team
LRN Director: Dr William van’t Hoff
Senior Network Manager: Dr Sharon Barrett
Clinical Nurse Manager: Lorraine Hodsdon
Paediatric Clinical Trials Pharmacist: Mandy Wan
Portfolio Manager: Eleanor Rolle-Marshall
Data Manager: Finola Higgins
PA / Administrator: Prarthna Pancholi
Core Children’s Research Nursing Team:
| GOSH |
Evelina |
Royal London
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| Louise Spencer-Walsh |
Victoria Timms |
Kathleen Deeney |
Bryony Ward
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| Kiera Parkes |
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Ruth Brodie
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Lucinda Dawson
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Contact us
Medicines for Children Research Network
London & South East Local Research Network
Somers Clinical Research Facility
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Level One, The Frontage Building
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7813 8167
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7762 6922
Email us:
london@mcrn.org.uk
