West London Research Network (WeLReN)
The West London Research Network (WeLReN) is a primary care research network funded by the NHS.
The Department of Primary Care & Social Medicine is academic home to WeLReN, the multidisciplinary network of primary care professionals and practices in Northwest London that are interested in research. Its overall aim is the building of a research activity and capacity in the eight PCTs covered by the local Strategic Health Authority - Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.
WeLReN funds and assists research projects, provides training, library and internet resources, sets up communications, and provides research governance and management from its offices in Brent PCT and at Imperial College. The Network currently supports twenty projects, some of which are led by novice researchers as well as more experienced investigators. It has also collaborated as a partner in other externally-funded projects, of which the ASCOT trial is probably the best known. WeLReN is now six years old and at the end of its second triennium . The first three years, led by Paul Thomas, saw very rapid development of a large network, starting from a notably low base of research activity in primary care in North-West London. In this second period, our chief aims are to link nodes in the network to tackle larger projects with wide applicability and to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial links with experienced investigators in the academic sector. Our aspiration is that WeLReN's third triennium will see members of the network leading major, externally-funded projects of national or even international significance.
Research funding
WeLReN offers funding for research projects in primary care. It has a strong focus on each of:
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Developmental work on services in primary care
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Projects originating in North-West London and led from within that Sector
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Recruitment and fostering of novice investigators from a wide variety of backgrounds in primary care
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Completion of the research cycle through to peer-reviewed publication and dissemination of research findings to relevant target groups in primary care, the hospital sector and the community at large.
The Network supports a wide range of research including studies based on controlled trials, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, action research and systematic reviews. In line with NHS policy, WeLReN also supports the involvement of consumers in research.
Research cycle
WeLReN’s cycle of research starts with its annual conference in June, where current research and ideas for new projects are presented and discussed. These ideas for projects are coordinated by Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and then developed in consultation with the group. After the conference, researchers interested in becoming involved in one of the new projects meet with the research group to develop the research question. Novice researchers can attend a course on Methods for Research and Evaluation during the autumn term, that forms part of the BSc and MSc programmes in the Dept of Primary Care and Social Medicine at Imperial College. This course has been carefully designed to assist individual investigators and research teams to develop their project and prepare a formal proposal . All applications for funding are submitted to WeLReN in October and assessed by external peer review for funding. The process allows novice researchers to work alongside developing and experienced researchers in the research group. The results of the peer review reports are discussed at the Research Reference Group (RRG). The RRG then makes recommendations to the meeting of the Steering Group in December as to which projects should be funded. Funds are made available to successful applicants in the January.
Peer review
Peer review of all projects is an important part of the research governance process. It ensures that projects have a high academic standard. In addition to assessment of the initial applications, the investigators associated with each study are asked to give a work-in-progress seminar to the Department of Primary Care and Social Medicine at least once during the course of their project. All members of WeLReN are welcome to attend these seminars.
Training
Part of WeLReN’s mandate is to build research capacity in primary care in Northwest London. The module on Methods for Research and Evaluation mentioned above is supplemented by a series of skills workshops. Topics include: writing for publication, designing posters and abstracts, skills for presentations, and how to facilitate a workshop.
WeLReN Publications
Malone M, Harris R, Hooker R, Tucker T, Tanna N, Honnor S: Health and the internet - changing boundaries in primary care. Family Practice 2004;21189-191
Hartley K, Phelan M: The needs of children of depressed mothers in primary care. Family Practice 2003;20:390-392
Bryant P, Hartley S, Coppola W, Berlin A, Modell M, Murray E: Clinical exposure during clinical method attachments in general practice. Medical Education 2003;37:790-793
WeLReN Staff
Ricky Banarsee - Director
Sylvia Westrup - Research and Governance Manager
Shilpi Mehra - Clinical Research Officer
Valentine Dunn- Toroosian - Clinical Research Officer
Ela Augustyniak - Administrator
Leo-Marcus Wan - Research and Governance Assistant
LOCAL ADVISORS:
- Dr Prakash Chatlani
- Dr Shamini Gnani
- Christine Bushell
- Dr Sarvesh Saini
- Dr Colin Lyons
- Dr Ajit Shah
- Dr Paul Thomas
- Dr Ellis Friedman
- Dr Steven Shapiro
