CHANGE OF TERMINOLOGY
We are in the process of replacing the term “accrual” with the term “recruitment” to mean enrolling patients into NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio studies. Please be aware that, until we change all systems over to the new terminology, the term “accrual” will continue to appear on the Portfolio database, whilst new documents will refer to “recruitment”.
Why is it important to submit recruitment data for a study on the NIHR CRN Portfolio?
One of our key objectives is to improve the clinical research infrastructure across England and to make this more accessible so that more patients can benefit from being part of a research study.
Recruitment data is measured against key performance indicators which are used to demonstrate the success of the Clinical Research Network and will feed into the process of allocating future funding for NHS infrastructure for research to Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs). This ensures that infrastructure resources are directed to where they are required for the most patient benefit.
How to submit recruitment data for a study
Once a study is confirmed as eligible for consideration for Clinical Research Network support, it will be added to the NIHR CRN Portfolio. The study's requirement for Network support at each site will be agreed through the Lead Network Service. Recruitment data must be provided on a monthly basis for all studies being supported by us.
Recruitment data is uploaded via an online tool, the Accrual Upload System, which you can access via the UK CRN Portal, which provides a secure means of uploading recruitment data into the UK CRN Portfolio Database.
To use the Accrual Upload System, a Recruitment (Accrual) Data Contact needs to be nominated by the Chief Investigator of the study. The Recruitment Data Contact will be set up with a UK CRN Portal account with specific permissions to upload recruitment data.
