Members of the list and fellow researchers
 

*	
	I believe this consultation is significant for the future of both academic and clinical careers in midwifery. Whilst the UKCRC document shows excellent inclusion of issues across the UK, midwifery needed a higher profile in 'Modernising Nursing Careers' and in this follow-up document. I'm aware that Prof Sheila Hunt was on both working parties with NMC, RCM and Dean hats on. Perhaps the profile of midwifery research could have been strengthened by inviting at least one senior midwife researcher onto the committee and consulting an international expert in midwifery.   
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	The recommendations to strengthen award schemes for researchers appear robust. Stronger networks will be needed and the RCN use fringe events at their international conferences to stimulate support and debate. Successful links were made at the last ICM but I would suggest researchers need a firmer cohesive presence at the RCM annual conference as well. (As a member of the Education and Research Committee at the RCM Council, a motion has just been submitted to trigger debate about research careers and the profile of research more generally).
*	
	When we talk about research in midwifery, education research often seems to be sidelined. My view is that how teaching and learning is managed and delivered is pivotal to the direct care offered to women and babies. We mustn't forget that the students today are our midwives of the future
*	
	With new career pathways coming on line, there needs to be a wider debate around the impact of sponsorship (eg by drug companies) and also the influence of ethics committees
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	Lastly, Sir Pattison once asked us a key question at the RCM  before he retired from the Department of Health: What are our research priorities in midwifery? As a forum for a dicussion on midwifery and reproductive health research, I'll leave it as an open question!

Best wishes

 

Gina Finnerty

Research Fellow, Midwifery Education

Centre for Research in Nursing and Midwifery Education, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK


________________________________

From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. on behalf of MartineStorey
Sent: Thu 18/01/2007 11:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: 'Developing the best research professionals'UKCRC consulta tion


 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jane Sandall
Sent: 17 January 2007 12:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: 'Developing the best research professionals'UKCRC consulta tion



Public consultation


'Developing the best research professionals'
Draft report of the UKCRC Sub Committee for Nurses in Clinical Research (Workforce)


8 January 2007


In September 2005 the UKCRC established a Sub Committee for Nurses in Clinical Research (Workforce) chaired by Professor Janet Finch.  The Sub Committee was commissioned to write a report examining the current role of nurses as researchers and educators, investigating the barriers that stand in the way of nurses undertaking research careers, and making recommendations for a training and support structure for nurses to work as researchers and educators at different stages in their career.

The draft report has had valuable input from international and national experts and other key stakeholders. It builds on previous studies and reports and takes account of the changing working environment for nurses, including recent recommendations for modernisation of the nursing career structure, the research strategies of the four devolved Health Departments and the continuing development of clinical research infrastructure such as the UK Clinical Research Networks.

The report's recommendations address three main areas: education and training; facilitating careers; better information on nursing researchers.  The core proposal of the report lies in the creation of 4 award schemes as part of a coordinated clinical academic training path for nurses.

Before the report is finalised there is a 12 week period of public consultation. The UKCRC welcomes this opportunity to engage with the views of a wider group of stakeholders on the draft report and its recommendations. 

The draft report focuses on the training needs of the nursing workforce in clinical research.  However, the UKCRC also wishes to consider to what extent the recommendations in the report could be considered a blueprint that could also be applied to the research workforce of the Allied Health Professions.  Members of the Allied Health Professions are therefore also invited to comment on the report by responding to question 14 of the consultation response form.

Following the public consultation period a summary report of consultation responses will be considered by the UKCRC Sub Committee before the report is finalised and published. An implementation group will then be established to take forward the recommendations in the report.

In February, the UKCRC will be holding a seminar to give organisations and individuals an opportunity to discuss the key messages from the draft report with some of the members of the Sub Committee.  If you would like to be sent more information about this event please email [log in to unmask]

To provide feedback on the draft report please complete the Consultation Response Form and return it as an email attachment to [log in to unmask] by Friday 30th March 2007.

If you have any queries please contact Philippa Yeeles at the UKCRC by email [log in to unmask] or by telephone 020 7670 5452.

http://www.ukcrc.org/publications/news/nursingreport.aspx