Respiratory Specialty Group Remit
The remit of the Respiratory Specialty Group is to support a national portfolio of structured research studies in the field of respiratory medicine.The Group has wide geographical coverage, with 24 of the 25 Comprehensive Local Research Networks having nominated a lead in this area as well as representatives from all 3 devolved nations.One of the main purposes of the Specialty Group is to ensure that clinical research studies in respiratory medicine deliver to target by developing and supporting a research infrastructure within the specialty which promotes engagement of the respiratory clinical community and provides the local support necessary to undertake high quality research studies within the NHS.
The Respiratory Specialty Group’s portfolio includes:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Bronchiectasis nterstitial lung disease Pulmonary infection including tuberculosis Pulmonary malignancy Pleural disease Sleep and breathing disorders Disorders affecting the chest wall and respiratory muscles There are many areas of overlap between the respiratory Specialty Group and other Specialty Groups and NIHR Topic Specific Research Networks.In general, the Respiratory Specialty Group will take the lead on research studies which are led by respiratory physicians, or have significant input from the gastroenterology community.
- Research studies of cancers of the respiratory tract fall within the remit of the National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) but are co-adopted by the Respiratory Specialty Group where there is input from chest physicians;
- Pulmonary infections will generally be led by the Respiratory Specialty Group (co-adopted by the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialty Group) unless the research does not involve chest physicians;
Respiratory studies conducted in intensive care units will generally be led by the Critical Care Specialty Group but are co-adopted by the Respiratory Specialty Group where there is input from chest physicians. Conversely studies of non-invasive ventilation will generally be led by the Respiratory Specialty Group but are co-adopted by the Critical Care Specialty Group where they are also inputting to patient recruitment. Surgical interventionsin the lungs will generally be led by the Surgery Specialty Group (co-adopted by the Respiratory Specialty Group) unless the research is being led by chest physicians; There are many studies were patient identification is best done in Primary Care but the study conduct may be at a secondary care site. In these cases co-adoption with the Primary Care Topic Specific network will occur with the lead Group being decided on where the clinical research is predominantly conducted. The Respiratory Specialty Group will work closely with the British Thoracic Society, and other stakeholders, to ensure that new developments in the field of respiratory research are informed by a national clinical research strategy and can be successfully delivered in the NHS setting.
