About NCRN

The National Cancer Research Network (NCRN) was created in response to the need to improve the infrastructure within the NHS for clinical research in cancer and to ensure that research is better integrated with cancer care as outlined in the 2000 Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Cancer Research.

What is the NCRN?

The NCRN was established by the Department of Health in April 2001 to provide the NHS with an infrastructure to support prospective trials of cancer treatments and other well-designed studies and to integrate and support research undertaken by cancer charities. Its aim is to improve the speed, quality and integration of research, ultimately resulting in improved patient care.

Cancer Research Networks

The NCRN will increase involvement and recruitment into trials through the creation of cancer research networks across England, closely aligned to cancer service networks. NCRN funding is allocated to networks to appoint research staff, such as research nurses, data managers and medical staff sessions and to access pharmacy, pathology, radiology and other areas of support, such as information systems and training, all of which are integral to high quality research.

33 cancer research networks have been established. Each network is required to appoint a clinical and administrative lead (Clinical Lead for Research and Research Network Manager) with responsibility for the overall leadership and management of the local networks.