RDF19 Poster Details

Aim: To implement a research training programme in collaboration with a local university to support frontline clinicians who are looking to progress their own research ideas with dedicated, backfilled time.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust was awarded funds from Health Education England to develop research capacity within the Trust. Nurses and AHP’s within the community are lacking the experience and confidence to progress their own ideas and it was therefore anticipated that this programme would address this as well as focus on individual development and retention of clinical staff. Successful applicants were given 2 days a month, backfilled for a year, to work solely on their proposed project in addition to undertaking academic workshops at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Result/ Outcome:

• Successfully recruited 11 applicants, many of whom were new names to the Research team.
• Applicants have engaged in a variety of events including the Research Interest Group, academic workshops, work experience opportunities with the university and Trust, academic supervision and clinical mentorship.
• They are due to produce a poster abstract and write-up of their work at the end of the programme in March 2019. Poster abstracts will be submitted to both national and local conferences.
• The applicants are already looking at what their next step may be; some have identified the NIHR ICAP programme and Darzi fellowships as potential avenues.
• They have involved other staff members in their work, fostering a growing research culture within the Trust.

Conclusion:

Due to the success of the pilot, HEE have awarded further funding for a 2019/20 programme which will commence in August 2019 with recommendations and input from the current cohort. It is hoped they will be able to mentor the new trainees throughout the programme.

• BALDOCK, Beth (Research Facilitator: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust)