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		Department of Health

Calls and Competitions: Policy Research Programme

To apply, if you have not already registered, click 'Registration' in the left hand menu and follow the instructions. Once registered, to apply for a PRP research tender and access application forms, please click on the 'login to extranet' link in the left hand menu and then click PRP in the left hand menu.

NHS Health Checks

Putting Prevention First – vascular checks: risk assessment and management, published in 2008, sets out proposals for implementation of a uniform and universal vascular risk assessment and management programme for people in England between 40 and 74. As part of a programme of monitoring and evaluation, full proposals are now invited for the following two studies.

a) Evaluation of the NHS Health Checks programme - Exploring implementation.
Research is required to explore the implementation of the NHS Health Check programme at PCT level and understand the context behind different models of provision.

For further information on NHS Health Checks programme - Exploring implementation, please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP NHS Health Checks’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

(b) Evaluation of the NHS Health Checks programme - Analysing trends.
Using existing data sets, analyses of trend data on key outcome and intermediate indicators are required. This will provide a backdrop to other evaluation activity. Analyses should have a specific focus on inequalities in health.

For further information on NHS Health Checks programme - Analysing trends, please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP NHS Health Checks’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm on Friday 15th February 2010.

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY: DATA COLLECTION FOR A REVIEW OF THE RNF ALLOCATION FORMULAE FOR ADULT SOCIAL CARE

The Department of Health (DH) invites submission of tenders for a feasibility study of ways to collect the data required for a review of the Relative Need Formulae (RNF). The RNF are used to allocate resources for adult social care between Councils in England. We anticipate that the study will begin in Spring 2010.

The aims of the feasibility study will be to investigate and advise the DH on the following areas:

• the availability of information on the numbers and characteristics of service users, and costs by client group for small areas within local authorities, for local authority supported residents and self-funders;
• the feasibility of producing data on client numbers and costs for care home residents by their small area of residence prior to admission to a care home;
• the best means of collecting and validating the collected data, in consultation with stakeholders;
• the structure of the data to be collected and the best way to fill data gaps, in consultation with the NHS Information Centre;
• what constitutes an adequate and a representative sample and how to take account of deprivation and other socio economic factors in the sampling process;
• the likely cost of subsequent data collection and expert statistical analysis.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief.  Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP RNF Allocation Formulae’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm on Friday 22nd January 2010.

PRE-PREGNANCY HEALTH AND CARE IN ENGLAND: EXPLORING IMPLEMENTATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT

Evidence has accumulated about the importance of good maternal and paternal health prior to, at the time of conception and throughout pregnancy. Women at higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes will have different needs and different models of care will be offered including the provision of information, advice and support.

We are inviting applications to generate high quality evidence about the organisational and implementation context of pre-pregnancy health and care before and between pregnancies and the public health impact in England.

This study should be grounded within a conceptual framework that sees childbearing as a complex series of individual, family and societal factors, which impacts across the life course. No one study design will address all the issues and consideration should be given to employing a translational research approach, which incorporates the different components that might contribute to different perspectives taking into account the entire lifespan as well as multiple determinants.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP PPHC ’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm Wednesday 13th January 2010. 

HEALTHY START – UNDERSTANDING THE USE OF VOUCHERS

Full applications are invited for this project which aims to give a real life view of the operation of the scheme within disadvantaged communities.  The information will:

• Inform the improved operation of the scheme.
• Assist in the interpretation of established data sets.
• Test feasibility of collecting data to underpin an economic analysis of household expenditure.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief.  Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP Healthy Start’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 9 November 2009.

RESEARCH TO REVIEW THE QUALITY OF INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE SERVICES

From 1 April 2009 under provisions introduced by the Mental Health Act 2007, qualifying patients have access to help from an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA), an important new safeguard to help and support patients to understand and exercise their legal rights. The Department of Health wishes to commission research to examine the quality of statutory independent mental health advocacy services in England. Up to £250,000 inclusive is available for this study. Ideally the successful application will be able to undertake the study over a maximum of 18 months, commencing early 2010.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP IMHA Services ’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 9 November 2009. 

IMPACT OF CALORIE PRICING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ON PURCHASING AND CONSUMPTION – BUILDING A CONCEPTUAL MODEL AND MAPPING THE LITERATURE.

Full applications are invited for this project which will map out the conceptual links and supporting literature.  The outputs of the research will be used to guide policy development in one of the priority Healthy Weight Healthy Lives themes. Outputs will inform ongoing internal discussions across government and with external stakeholders.

For further information please click on the following link to access research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP Calorie Pricing’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 2 November 2009.

RESEARCH TO EXAMINE THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT (MHA) AND THE MENTAL CAPACITY ACT DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY SAFEGUARDS (MCA DOLS)

The Policy Research Programme of the Department of Health wishes to commission research to examine the operation of the interface between the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLS) in respect of people needing treatment in hospital for mental disorder. Up to £250,000 inclusive is available for this study. Ideally the successful application will be able to undertake the study over a maximum of 24 months, commencing early 2010.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘Interface MHA & MCA DOLS’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 9 November 2009.

RESEARCH PROGRAMME: DEVELOPING THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION FORMULA

The Weighted Capitation Formula is used to determine target shares of available resources between PCTs based on the relative needs of each area and also, where appropriate, to inform indicative GP practice budgets under Practice Based Commissioning. The Department of Health, through its Policy Research Programme (PRP), is now inviting proposals for three distinct research projects to support the development of components of the formula for PCT allocations from 2011-12.

1. Staff market forces factor (MFF)

The focus of this project will be on providing new staff MFFs for PCTs and hospital trusts based on the latest data available from ONS and using the General Labour Market (GLM) approach.

2. Prescribing

The focus of this project will be on providing new prescribing formulas relating to the different population bases of ONS small area populations and GP registered lists.

3. Mental health

The focus of this project will be on developing models that explain variation in utilisation observed in a new minimum mental health data set provided by the Information Centre.

For further information please click on any of the following links to access the Staff Market Forces Factor, Mental Health Services or Prescribing research briefs. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP Resource Allocation Research ’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications for any of the 3 projects is 5.00pm on Monday 19th October 2009. 

BUILDING THE EVIDENCE BASE ON SECURE FORENSIC INPATIENT SERVICES IN ENGLAND (INCLUDING HIGH, MEDIUM AND LOW SECURE FORENSIC SERVICES)

In December 2007, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice invited Lord Keith Bradley to lead an independent review to examine the extent to which offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could be, in appropriate cases, diverted from prison to other services and the barriers to such diversion schemes.

The inquiry considered diversion from prevention and early intervention, through all the stages of the criminal justice system and the links between criminal justice settings, forensic inpatient services and general mental health services.

We are inviting applications to systematically assess the context and mechanisms through which high, medium and low secure forensic inpatient services produce outcomes. It is envisaged this review will improve current evidence about why services work, what might work (and how) in specific circumstances, the impact on resources, deliverability and health equity.

This review will need to take an inclusive approach to defining relevant studies in order to include and describe as much relevant research as possible with a view to synthesizing complex evidence across a range of disciplines and methodological approaches.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP Review of Forensic Services ’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm on Thursday 29th October 2009. 

EVALUATION OF THE ALCOHOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

The Alcohol Improvement Programme (AIP) was launched in 2008 to provide a wide range of resources to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and other local stakeholders to support them in reducing the rate of alcohol related admissions to hospital. The Department of Health Policy Research Programme wishes to commission research to evaluate the extent to which the AIP as a whole, as well as its constituent parts, is a cost-effective and appropriate model for driving through positive change and support to the NHS in reducing the harm caused by alcohol. Up to £300,000 inclusive is available for this study. Ideally, the successful application will be able to undertake the study over a maximum of 18 months, commencing early 2010.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP AIP’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm Monday 26 October 2009. 

MENTAL CAPACITY ACT BEST INTERESTS DECISIONS - SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES: RESEARCH TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MENTAL CAPACITY ACT

Best Interests Decisions are a key feature of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and are an indicator of the successful implementation of the MCA. The Department of Health wishes to commission research to examine how they are being carried out in a wide variety of settings in relation to people with a wide variety of conditions and who lack capacity. Up to £250,000 inclusive is available for this study. Ideally the successful application will be able to undertake the study over a maximum of 18 months, commencing early 2010.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP MCA Best Interest’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm Monday 19 October 2009. 

NATIONAL EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY DEMONSTRATOR SITES

The Department of Health (DH) invites proposals for a national evaluation of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) Demonstrator Sites which will be operational from the Autumn 2009.  This study requires both a formative and summative evaluation to provide an assessment of the implementation of two new service models - dementia advisers and peer support networks - and the extent to which they contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the NDS. Up to £650,000 is available for the work over a period of two and a half years.

To see a copy of the research specification, please follow this link. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP National Dementia Strategy Demonstrator Sites' link to access the application form and guidance notes.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 12 October  2009.

HIGH QUALITY CARE FOR ALL – EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCE CENTRES 

Academic Health Science Centres (AHSCs) are partnerships that bring together a small number of health and academic partners to focus on the integration of world-class research, teaching, and patient care. The key aim is to help speed up the process of translating developments in research into benefits for patients and the local community and to promote the uptake of discoveries within the NHS and across the world. Five AHSCs were designated in March 2009 by the Secretary of State for Health, following recommendations by an international panel of experts.  

To help us understand how effectively these partnerships are working and to inform future designation policy, the Department of Health is inviting research proposals for a single evaluation project in two parts: 

• an evaluation of the progress of each of the AHSCs as they work to deliver on the vision they set out to the international designation panel;
• a comparative study of the AHSCs, including an evaluation of the designation policy itself.

This is part of an overall programme of High Quality Care for All evaluation projects to be undertaken within the period April 2009 - March 2012.

The deadline for receipt of full applications is 5.00pm on Monday 21 September 2009.

To see a copy of the research specification, please follow this link. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP HQCFA - Academic Health Science Centres' link to access the application form and guidance notes.

 RESEARCH ON ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT AND LACK OF DIGNITY IN THE INSTITUTIONAL CARE OF OLDER PEOPLE

In May 2008, the Department of Health and Comic Relief launched a major Research Initiative on Elder Abuse, Neglect and Lack of Dignity in the Institutional Care of Older People.

Following an initial commissioning process in 2008, seven research projects were funded. Two studies on topics that are central to the Research Initiative remain to be funded:

1. A prevalence study of elder abuse in residential and nursing care settings:This study is required to increase knowledge about the extent of neglect, abuse and lack of dignity in these institutional contexts. It will also examine the causes and risk factors that exist within such settings in order to inform the development of appropriate strategies for intervention and prevention.

2. A feasibility study to undertake a prevalence study of abuse, neglect and loss of dignity of older people in NHS institutional settings: An initial study is needed to develop and pilot a methodology for conducting a prevalence study in NHS hospital and intermediate care settings.

For further information please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘PRP Elder Abuse, Neglect & Lack of Dignity’ link to access the application form and guidance notes.

Research teams are invited to submit proposals for one or both studies. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5.00pm Friday 12 June 2009.

POLICY RESEARCH UNITS

The Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme wishes to commission Policy Research Units in a number of high priority areas. The purpose is to meet the longer-term policy research needs of the Department, as well as to secure the capacity for work to be undertaken at short notice and for rapid synthesis of evidence. 

The Department therefore invites applications to deliver a 5-year programme of high quality research in the following priority areas, each of which will constitute a Policy Research Unit:

1. Commissioning and the healthcare system
2. Quality and outcomes of person-centred care
3. Policy innovation research
4. Economics of health and social care systems
5. Economic evaluation of health and care interventions
6. Modelling in health protection, social care and clinical practice
7. Cancer awareness, screening and early diagnosis
8. Behaviour and health
9. Children, young people and families
10. Maternal health and care

For more detailed information on these priority research areas please click on the following link to access the research brief. Once registered, please login to the NIHR CCF extranet, click on the ‘PRP’ link in the left hand menu and then the ‘Policy Research Units’ link to access the Stage 1 application form and guidance notes.

This is a two-stage tender process and applicants will need to submit a stage 1 application, which outlines their capacity to meet the essential features of a Policy Research Unit, by Monday 8th June 2009. 

The Department of Health Policy Research Programme invites applications to undertake an evaluation of a pilot for routine collection of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in management of long-term conditions.

In his report, High Quality Care for All. NHS Next Stage Review Final Report, Professor Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, identified the importance of measuring the effectiveness of care from the patient’s own perspective. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) capture self-assessed health states and the Next Stage Review proposes to make these measures a key mechanism in the strategy for securing improvement in the quality of care in the NHS.

PROMs will be collected routinely for a number of elective surgical procedures from April 2009 as part of the NHS standard acute services contract. This development has built on evidence from previous DH commissioned research. We now propose to extend the programme to assess the potential for the use of routinely collected PROMs in the management of long-term conditions (LTCs) through a pilot scheme with partner PCTs.

We are inviting research proposals for an evaluation of the LTC PROMs pilot to inform decisions on possible wider roll-out of such a system. The evaluation will provide lessons regarding the acceptability of the pilot system; factors associated with response and equality issues; design of a system to deliver participant numbers needed for valid results at different aggregations of data; analytical strategies for robust interpretation of PROMs scores over time; effective communication of results to stakeholders; and cost estimates for scaling-up the pilot system.

This is a single-stage tender process and applicants will need to submit their final proposal by 5.00pm on Monday 11 May 2009.