Over 12,000 people have received Good Clinical Practice training

This has strengthened the UK’s research infrastructure by equipping research staff and medical practitioners in the NHS with the guidelines and practical skills for conducting clinical research.

Through a Train the Trainer model, facilitators from across the NIHR Clinical Research Network have been trained to deliver standardised materials locally across the NHS. The NIHR Clinical Research Network currently has 209 active GCP facilitators who this year alone have trained 8,509 people.

In January 2011 the NIHR Clinical Research Network began delivering a series of more tailored programmes that address the specific needs of people conducting research in Primary Care, Paediatric and Adults Lacking Capacity settings. In July a half-day refresher version of the Introduction to GCP course was launched, aimed at experienced research delivery staff who have previously attended GCP training. In March 2012 an online version of the Introduction to GCP course will be launched to complement the existing suite of taught courses.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network GCP programme delivers peer-reviewed, high quality training that has extended the reach of trained researchers across the NHS, ensuring they are best prepared to carry out their duties.

Comments from course participants include:

• "It was an extremely educative programme and brought me up-to-date with GCP."
• “Practical knowledge in a critical setting, underpinned by clear explanations, documentations and interaction.”
• “I found the training very practical and thought provoking. Interactive sessions were useful and also interesting.”
• “I am now able to do my job confidently and have gained knowledge of good GCP. [I have] been made more aware of how to conduct research on behalf of the CIs (Chief Investigators), be an advocate for the participants and to document files and medical notes.”

If you would like more information about the courses please contact the CRN Workforce Development team.