Glasgow Clinical Research Facility

The Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (GCRF) Education and Quality Team support all specialties in GCRF and provide training and advice for researchers across the research community.

The Education Programme provides a range of courses and workshops tailored to meet the needs of the clinical research community. The aim of the education programme is to increase and promote research capacity and capability through a multi-professional programme.

By working closely with our partners in the NHS, academic institutions, other CRF’s, and the NIHR, the Education Team ensures a cohesive standardised programme that meets the requirements of local and national research communities.

The GCRF Education Team lead on the national NRS GCP Training programme to develop and support a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course approved by Transcelerate® inc., meeting pharmaceutical and biotech industry requirements.

All courses, including GCP can be booked here: – https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-in-scotland/facilities/clinical-research-facilities/glasgow-research-facility/training-and-courses/

All clinical research activities performed within Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (GCRF) are conducted to the highest quality, ensuring rights, safety and dignity of our research participants.  The GCRF Quality Assurance (QA) Team work with the clinical and administrative teams to ensure all research studies work to the regulatory requirements of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), approved research protocols and local our procedures. 

The QA Team promote a positive quality culture within the facility, frequently performing internal audits, supporting the research teams, supporting development of training programmes and continuously improving the efficiency of GCRF processes.     

For further details please contact: glasgowcrfeducation@nhs.scot

We support high-quality research studies relating to the care of critically ill patients. The research relates primarily to intensive care, high dependency care and acute medical care.

Key topics of Critical Care research include:

• Interventions to improve outcomes from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis
• Understanding the long-term implications of critical illness and how to improve recovery
• The mechanisms and management of brain injury
• Developing risk models to guide intensive care treatments for common conditions or complications
• Minimising risk and morbidity associated with major surgery.

For further details please contact: griteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

                                                      southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine, and Critical Care | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Glasgow Clinical Research Facility supports a wide range of studies across many areas. These include psychological and biological studies and involve people representing a number of conditions, including schizophrenia, psychosis, depression and eating disorders. 

For further details please contact: mentalhealthteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Mental Health | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Glasgow Clinical Research Facility aims to provide people with kidney disease the opportunity participate in relevant clinical research studies. We currently support both commercial and non-commercial research studies:

• Involving medicines to treat kidney disease
• In acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation
• In disorders of the bladder and urinary problems
• In vasculitis, diabetic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis
• In inherited kidney disease such as polycystic kidney disease and other rarer kidney disorders
• To reduce the complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
• To improve the symptom control and quality of life of patients with kidney failure
• Developing imaging technology such as MRI, ultrasound and CT scanning
• To improve outcomes for patients needing dialysis or kidney transplants.

For further details please contact: renalteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National information – Renal | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Glasgow Clinical Research Facility currently support both commercial and non-commercial surgical research studies.  We have a diverse portfolio of surgical studies covering specialities including ENT, upper GI, general surgery and oncology.  Conditions covered in our portfolio include:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Oesophageal cancer
• Barret’s oesophagus
• Short bowel syndrome
• Sinusitis
• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

For further details please contact: griteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Ear, Nose and Throat | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research ScotlandCancer | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Glasgow Clinical Research Facility currently hosts both commercial and non-commercial cardiovascular research, the team supports phase I to III drug, device and observational trials in collaboration with specialised clinical staff. The cardiovascular portfolio encompasses multiple theme areas including, Hypertension, Hyperlipidaemia, Ischaemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias, Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure.

Our team has a range of specific specialty research skills including vascular studies involving Pulse Wave Analysis and Velocity, plethysmography and gluteal biopsy. In collaboration with our clinical partners we also support Cardiac Echo, Exercise tolerance testing, cardio-pulmonary exercise testing and cardiac imaging; CT Coronary Angiography and Cardiac MRI through our dedicated research imaging department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

For further details please contact: cardiovascularteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Cardiovascular Patient & Public Involvement:   Cardiovascular | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Stroke studies are offered at several sites across NHS GGC, at the QEUH we focus on clinical trials of treatments for acute stroke, prevention of recurrent stroke and device trials in rehabilitation. Currently we are researching comparative efficacy of different thrombolytic agents for ischaemic stroke, factor XII antagonists for prevention of recurrent ischaemic stroke, use of a hand orthosis for early post stroke rehabilitation and different methods of monitoring for atrial fibrillation after stroke.

For further details please contact:  Karen.McBurnie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or  southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Stroke | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Reproductive Health and Childbirth Team consist of research midwives, research nurses, a project assistant and our health care support workers.

Our highly skilled research midwives and nurses have a range of clinical specialty-specific skills including, psychological and developmental assessments, ECG’S, Pulse wave velocity and bladder ultrasound.  In addition we have clinical research skills such as obtaining informed consent, interview skills, protocol specific assessments, safety reporting, sample handling and processing.

Our role includes supporting investigators and training clinical staff to facilitate the clinical research trials.

The Reproductive Health and Childbirth team support research in the following areas but other research areas could be supported.

• Obstetric – pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, including miscarriage and fertility
• Neonatal – preterm birth, nutrition and respiratory support.
• Gynaecology – menopause, pelvic pain and menstrual disorders
• Uro-Gynaecology − incontinence, recurrent UTI and over active bladder syndrome
• Child Health – childhood obesity and infant mental health

We strive to deliver an efficient and quality service but ultimately provide our patients with a positive research experience and safeguard their wellbeing

For further details please contact: gcrf.obstetric@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Reproductive Health and Childbirth | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Glasgow Clinical Research Facility Emergency Medicine research team support investigators to deliver their research in a modern and busy major trauma centre. Our current portfolio ranges from clinical validation studies for novel devices, to controlled trials of interventions and medicines. We also support clinical research which focusses on disease surveillance, providing up-to-date information which facilitate rapid strategic and policy changes by decision-makers.

The Emergency Medicine team support research in the following areas but other research areas could be supported.

• Acute unexplained Syncope
• Assay finding for New Diagnostic Devices
• Intracerebral Haemorrhage
• Sepsis
• Concussion
• Toxicology
• Acute coronary syndrome

For further details please contact: emergencymedicineteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National information – Trauma and Emergencies | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Diabetes Team support a large and diverse range of studies from Phase 1 to Phase 4 including a balance of commercial and academic studies. We support an increasing number of PI s and their studies including long term cardiovascular outcomes; obesity including nutritional counselling; Diabetes Education programmes; pregnancy; prevention of diabetes; new combination therapies; observational and medical devices. We work closely with Clinical Fellows and Diabetes Nurse Specialists.

We work mainly across the two GCRF sites  at QEUH and GRI, but also support studies at other sites including Gartnavel; Inverclyde; New Stobhill; New Victoria and Vale of Leven.

The Diabetes Research Network Nurse for GG&C is embedded in GCRF,  enabling strong links with the DRN and the other main network sites including Aberdeen; Edinburgh and Dundee. Some of our work is allocated directly from the network and there are networking opportunities to get involved in studies and to share experiences of study management.

For further details please contact: diabetesteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Diabetes | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Ophthalmology Research Team support a wide range of studies from phase I to phase IV with a mix of both commercial and academic sponsors. These studies cover a vast range of conditions including retinal detachment, glaucoma, endophthalmitis and genetic diseases. The types of studies vary from observational standard of care studies to more complex medical devices and procedures.

Based at GGH we work in a large multidisciplinary team made up of multiple PI’s, clinical scientists, optometrists, photographers and more. As many of the studies involve surgical procedures we also work closely with the ophthalmology ward allowing us to follow up patients easily after interventions. We are skilled in managing a patient’s journey through the ophthalmology departments many specialties ensuring they have a positive experience. 

For further details please contact: southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Ophthalmology | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Respiratory Team consist of principle investigators, research nurses, clinical research fellows, a project assistant and is also supported by our health care support workers.

Our highly skilled research nurses have a range of clinical specialty-specific skills including, spirometry, ECG’S.  In addition to clinical skills the team also have clinical research skills such as obtaining informed consent, interview skills, protocol specific assessments, safety reporting, sample handling and processing.

The team support a wide and diverse portfolio of studies, phase I to IV in both commercial and non-commercial settings including:

• Asthma and COPD
• Cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis
• Lung infections
• Interstitial lung diseases
• Lung cancer
• Pleural disease
• Disorders affecting the chest wall and respiratory muscles.

Whilst we do have a dedicated respiratory unit within the Gartnavel site, respiratory research is supported by the team across all of NHS GGC

For further details please contact: respiratoryteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National information – Respiratory | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Musculoskeletal Studies are currently mainly supported by the team within Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The team support a wide and diverse portfolio of studies, phase I to IV in both commercial and non-commercial settings.  As well as their core skill set the nursing team are trained in performing specialist assessments including joint counts, the leeds enthesitis index, dactylitiyis assessments, psoriasis skin assessments and the schermer’s test.

• osteoarthritis and joint replacement surgery
• osteoporosis and fracture prevention
• orthopaedic surgery
• rheumatoid arthritis
• psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathies
• paget’s disease of bone
• lupus, vasculitis and connective tissue disease
• diseases of skeletal muscle
• rare and inherited diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system
• fibromyalgia

For further details please contact: griteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National information – Musculoskeletal Health | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Dermatology research team is multidisciplinary including research nurses, medics, pharmacists and a project Assistant. Our portfolio at present is small, but expanding.

We are skilled in all aspects of clinical research eg. the informed consent process, carrying out assessments, safety reporting, processing samples in our laboratory and safe drug administration through a variety of routes..

Our portfolio includes both adult and paediatric/young adult studies, and covers a wide range of disease areas including atopic dermatitis, alopecia, and genetic disorders such as Netherton syndrome.

For further details please contact: southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National information – Dermatology | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Gastrointestinal and Hepatology Research Team consists of research nurses and a project assistant. The GI Team supports investigators to facilitate academic and commercial clinical research within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Below is an overview of current research topics within the GI Team to demonstrate the areas of research that can be supported:

• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Crohn’s perianal fistula
• primary biliary cholangitis
• primary schlerosing cholangitis
• hepatitis B
• alcoholic hepatitis
• oesophageal varices
• liver cirrhosis

For further details please contact: griteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

                                               southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National information – Gastroenterology | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

The Neurology Team consists of research nurses, research doctors, research psychiatrists, project assistants, research physiotherapists, research pharmacists & healthcare support workers, all with a wide range of skills.

In addition to our core skills our research nurses & doctors have a range of specific clinical skills including: completing neurological assessments, physical health assessments & mental health assessments.

Many different types of research are completed within our team, including:

• Clinical drug trials – to assess how new drugs can improve symptoms of a disease area or improve quality of life, administering both oral, injectable and intravenous drug therapies
• Observational trials – to understand patient views and experiences of care
• Surgical procedures – to help professionals gain knowledge of the best surgical treatments

The Neurology Research team support studies in specific disease areas including:

• Motor Neuron Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Neuropathy (Multifocal Motor Neuropathy & Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy)
• Neurological Critical Care
• Critical Care
• Head & Neck Cancers

For further details please contact: southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk National Information: Neuroprogressive and Dementia | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

At Glasgow Dental Hospital Clinical Research Facility (GDH CRF) our aim is to improve oral and general health by advancing new and better ways of preventing and treating disease. The facility includes a small multi-disciplinary team working together to support investigators from start up to close. We work with a full range of dental and oral health research – recent examples include in periodontal disease, head and neck cancer, and oral HPV infection. We operate from a dedicated two chair dental research facility embedded within the Glasgow Dental Hospital and adjacent to University Research Laboratories. We work closely with the University of Glasgow Dental School, NHS GG&C Oral Health Directorate, the CRF at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, and with general dental practices involved in research across the West of Scotland.

For further details please contact: shauna.culshaw@glasgow.ac.uk or southteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

The Paediatric Team works closely with the Royal Hospital for Children to support access to cutting-edge research for children and families receiving care at the hospital.  Our diverse team is made up of medical staff, experienced children’s nurses, a healthcare support worker, a project manager and a project assistant. 

We support approximately 50 studies taking place across the children’s hospital, including Phase I-IV drug trials and large scale observational studies.  Our skilled research nurses work closely with clinical teams to ensure high quality, safe care for children and young people who choose to participate in research.

The Paediatric Team support research in many clinical areas such as:

• Dermatology – eczema and dermatitis
• Gastroenterology – including Inflammatory Bowel Disease and liver disease
• Renal medicine
• Neurology – including epilepsy, migraine and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• Respiratory – conditions such as asthma and CF
• Rheumatology
• Infectious diseases and allergy
• Mental health
• Surgery
• Critical care and anaesthetics
• Metabolic and endocrine medicine – including diabetes and a range of congenital conditions
• Cardiology
• Emergency medicine

For further details please contact: paediatricteam.gcrf@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

National Information: Paediatrics | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland