The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Support Services re-procurement

Tender description

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) was established in 2006 to transform research in the NHS. As the most integrated clinical research system in the world, the NIHR drives research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy. The NIHR: - funds high quality research to improve health - trains and supports health researchers - provides world-class research facilities - works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all - involves patients and the public at every step The NIHR has a number of contracts for the provision of support services to assist with the management and coordination of the health research system. Two such contracts come to an end in March 2020:- - The NIHR Centre for Dissemination (NCD); and - NIHR Coordinating Centre for Patient and Public Involvement, Participation and Engagement (PPIPE) in Research The aim of this tendering exercise will be to identify suitable contractor(s) for the mentioned centres. NIHR Centre for Dissemination The NIHR Centre for Dissemination (NCD) was established in April 2015, with a remit to improve awareness and uptake of research evidence, particularly from the NIHR, by people working in health and social care. The NCD produces regular, accessible summaries of recent single studies (NIHR and non-NIHR) through Signals; broader Themed Reviews of key topic areas three times a year; and a range of shorter topic-based summaries, collections and blog campaigns (Highlights, six per year). In addition The NCD undertakes a range of engagement and communications work, including events, partnership working and social media campaigns. The NCD has built a significant and engaged audience over this period, and has embarked on a number of potentially high-impact partnerships with organisations such as Royal Colleges and the BMJ. It is therefore important that the next phase of NCD activity effectively capitalises on this progress, enhancing the successful elements of work and generating new approaches based on learning to date. NIHR Coordinating Centre for PPIPE in Research The NIHR's partnership with the public has become one of its hallmarks and the NIHR remains firmly committed to Patient and Public Involvement, Participation and Engagement (PPIPE) in research. The NIHR works to ensure that the patients, carers and the public are involved in all the processes by which research is identified, prioritised, designed, conducted, evaluated and disseminated. Central to the leadership, coordination and delivery of this agenda is the role of the INVOLVE Coordinating Centre, a national Centre which has, to date, focused its efforts on Patient and Public Involvement in NIHR research. There remains a need for a national Coordinating Centre going forward. The Department of Health and Social Care ('The Department') plans to release a tender for the delivery of this requirement(s). The the purpose of this notice is to inform and engage with interested service providers.