CAT Pathway

Clinical Academic Training Pathway for Nurses, Midwives and Allied

Health ProfessionsDr Janice Bailie

Programme Manager for Allied Health Professions

&

Dr Nicola Armstrong

Programme Manager for Nursing

25 February 2009

CAT Pathway

Context• Political developments within NI

• Organisational reform across the HSC

• Professional initiatives eg Modernising Nursing Careers, Modernising AHP Careers

• National developments eg Cooksey review, UKCRC

• International developments including new EU directives

CAT Pathway

Clinical Academic Careers

• Report of UKCRC sub-committee chaired by Janet Finch

• 11 recommendations themed around:– education and training – facilitating careers – better information on researchers– implementation

• Consultation period – 8 January 07 – 30 March 07

• Consultation extended to include AHPs – broadly welcomed by all ~190 respondents

CAT Pathway

Clinical Academic Careers

• Amendments made following consideration of the consultation responses

• UKCRC Board endorsement received

• Final Report published along with a timetable for adoption and implementation

• Recommended a new way forward for professionals to develop clinical academic careers

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway

Clinical Academic Training (CAT) Pathway for Nurses, Midwives and AHPs

• Implementing recommendations from Finch report – Developing the Best Research Professionals

• NIHR Implementation Group in England currently meeting on a monthly basis, Northern Ireland HSC R&D Office Programme Managers for Nursing and Allied Health Professions sit on committee

• Proposed multi-level, flexible entry career pathway for professionals wishing to integrate research into their clinical career pathway

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway for England – Award Scheme 1

• Tender issued December 2008 inviting proposals for Masters courses in Clinical Research

• Enable graduates to manage and deliver research in a clinical setting

• Up to 70 places per annum in England funded by NIHR

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway in England – Award Scheme 2

• Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (C-DRF) aimed at NM&AHPs who:– have at least 1 year’s experience of clinical

practice since graduating– have had sufficient research experience or

research training to prepare them to undertake a PhD

– wish to obtain a PhD whilst still developing their clinical skills.

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway in England –Award Scheme 3

• NIHR Clinical Lectureship scheme• Nominated by both a healthcare organisation and a

higher education institution. • One nomination must be from applicant’s current or

intended employer.• Proposed that breakdown of clinical and academic

commitments for the duration of the award will normally be 50:50.

• Funding for 50% salary from employer; remainder from NIHR

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway in England – Award Scheme 4

• NIHR Senior Clinical Lectureship programme still under development

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway in Northern Ireland

• Implementation in Northern Ireland will be taken forward by HSC R&D Office,

• Project board with representation from nursing and AHPs to be convened

• Work will commence in early 2009 with a view to advertising new nursing and AHP funding schemes in 2010

CAT Pathway

CAT Pathway in Northern Ireland

• Joint Chairmanship: Professors Bernie Hannigan and Martin Bradley

• Fundamental challenge is to have employment contracts that recognise research workload

• Attitudinal change and supportive culture within the HSC to allow staff to undertake research

• Beyond the Doctoral training phase into Post-doctoral research activity

CAT Pathway

Contact Details

Address: R&D Office12-22 Linenhall StreetBelfast BT2 8BS

Tel: (028) 9055 3617Fax: (028) 9055 3674e-mail: enquiry@rdo.n-i.nhs.uk

www.rdo.centralservicesagency.n-i.nhs.uk/display/rdo