This page provides information about the HSRN's key achievements to date, its future work programme and how you can get more involved in the Network's activities.

So far at a glance

HSRN has:

• published two briefings on implementing Best Research for Best Health and the new national research ethics service arrangements
• responded to the Cooksey review involving members in preparing our submission
• held three annual research meetings, our most recent in 2008 held jointly for the first time with the NIHR SDO Programme. We commissioned a supplement of the JHSRP from these meetings
• contributed to a plenary session at the 2007 NHS Confederation annual conference and had a presence at the 2008 Conference
• HSRN Board members have met Ministers, senior policymakers, UKCRC and MRC as the 'voice of HSR' in meetings where traditionally only the views of basic and clinical researchers have tended to get heard
• supported a special interest group, Health Policy and Management forum, and look forward to hearing from members proposing other group/s
• kept members informed of HSRN activities through our regular Update Reports
• offered members online access to the Kings Fund current awareness service
• increased our membership to over 100 organisations.

Future plans

HSRN meetings

The HSRN organises at least three meetings per year: a spring and autumn one day event and the Annual Research Meeting (including the AGM). Details of dates, themes, venues and speakers are available on the events section of the HSRN webpage.

Member communications

We have worked hard to ensure that members are regularly updated on HSRN activities and relevant NHS Confederation activities and have opportunities to get involved. Our regular Update Reports go to all members.

Our Briefings are circulated to HSRN members and NHS Confederation members, serving to promote the message about the value of HSR.

At the end of 2007 we did a member perception audit to get feedback on how HSRN is performing and take a steer about how we can further improve.

Objectives for 2008/09

Looking forward, we have identified a number of priority work programmes that are relevant to members including ongoing influence for HSR in the implementation of the NIHR, OSCHR and COREC guidance.

In addition the HSRN Board is working on:

• The fourth Annual Research Meeting to be held in Birmingham on 3 and 4 June 2008 in partnership with the NIHR SDO programme.
• HSRN one day meetings
  • the autumn 2008 one day meeting hosted with University of Liverpool
  • The spring 2009 meeting details to be confirmed
  • HSRN members are invited to volunteer to host one day meetings
• A series of seminars with the Nuffield Trust focussed on the policy questions HSR can help answer
• Joint projects with our sister network, SDO Network, aimed at engaging managers with research
• Affiliate members
  • A number of membership organisations have affiliated with the HSRN and we look forward to developing these relationships in the coming year
  • HSRN members are invited to propose SIGs. The Network is able to support SIGs through publicity, email dissemination to members and some financial contribution.
• Knowledge Exchange
  • we are working with Knowledge Exchange, an online forum for NHS managers, to raise the profile of HSR and build relationship between researchers and managers
• Value of health services research
  • We are currently preparing publications that illustrate the value research has to improve health services.
• Continue to work on the bureaucracy busting agenda.

If you have comments or suggestions for our work programme, please write to stephan.groombridge@nhsconfed.org