The SDO Network is a network of NHS organisations supporting research, evaluation and innovation. The Network enables managers to improve and develop the services they manage. It does this by facilitating their access and use of the latest health services research, leading to the delivery of world class health services.
'Exposure to research strengthens managers' ability to innovate'
Ron Kerr, chief executive of Guys and St Thomas Foundation Trust
'Managers need to have a far greater awareness of research if they are truly to have an effective dialogue with clinicians'
Mike Cooke, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
The SDO Network aims to provide a range of services that any NHS organisation can access, enabling mangers to access research and implement the findings from research more effectively. Trusts can pick the most appropriate services to their focus and geographic location. The services the SDO Network provides are customised to meet the needs of senior, middle and new NHS managers and support their organisations to develop leading edge services.
The SDO Network provides a safe space for managers to work and reflect with their peers, academics and leaders from the private sector on the best ways of using research knowledge to improve the services they manage.
Thematic events chaired by a leading NHS trust chief executive, including:
Leading academics presenting the latest research on key issues (such as moving hospital services into the community), providing information on the big wins in terms of clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost savings as well as looking at the key hazards to avoid.
Workshops led by NHS managers who have implemented these changes successfully.
Small group work where participant managers discuss how they will use the research they have accessed to practically improve health services in their own localities.
For middle mangers on how to use research to improve and develop the health services they manage.
For NHS management trainees who have completed the scheme and worked in the NHS for over a year, focused on using research to improve and develop the health services they manage.
Support for and development of the SDO chief executives forum. This is an evening meeting held over dinner where leading researchers present relevant research findings to chief executives. It provides chief executives with an opportunity to network with their peers.
Selected private sector organisations that have used management research to develop and improve their organisations will be linked with appropriate SDO Network members to share learning.
A 'matchmaking' service between NHS organisations and relevant academic institutions to find the appropriate academics to conduct the research that trusts require. The SDO Network will facilitate and support the development of these partnerships.
The development of a list of approved providers who have a track record of delivering research and evaluation projects within tight timescales.
SDO Network members will elect members onto the SDO Network board. Board members will represent members at key research meetings such as the Health Services Research Board (HSRN).
The SDO Network is compiling a list of NHS trusts engaged in worthwhile research activities which it will submit annually to the Healthcare Commission, Monitor and Department of Health. This list will be used to raise the profile of SDO Network members and start a discussion on the inclusion research activities in the annual health check.
The SDO Network will support members to access, effectively use and comment on the development of existing online research and service development networks and tools, including Chain III; Knowledge Exchange; and Quest for Quality and Improved Performance (QUIPP).
The SDO Network will facilitate NHS organisations' access to fellowships that enable academics to be placed within the NHS to work on projects that will benefit from their expertise.
This Network is funded by the Service Delivery and Organisation Programme which is part of the National Institute for Health Research and is managed by the NHS Confederation. This will allow the network to forge strong ties between management and research and put its members in the driving seat. The Confederation also runs a complementary Health Services Research Network for health service researchers to help them connect with NHS management.
If your organisation wants to use research evidence to guide the development of innovative services, this network is for you. Membership of the SDO Network is free but the Chief Executive or Chair of the NHS Trust concerned needs to sign off the attached form signalling their commitment from the top of the organisation to engage in the use of research to improve health services and to get involved in the work of the SDO Network.
For further information please contact:
Ganesh Sathyamoorthy, SDO Network Manager
Email: Ganesh.Sathyamoorthy@nhsconfed.org
Telephone: 020 70743438
Last reviewed 18 Jan 2008