Policy Update

To access Research Delivery Network (RDN) support in England, and be included on the RDN Portfolio, research studies must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

• DHSC has recently updated these criteria to stipulate that studies must comply with national policy and central guidance, ensuring unnecessary duplication of processes is avoided to reduce time taken to set up studies and release capacity to support other research-related activity. National policies and guidance will be listed on the UKCRD website and may be updated from time to time.

• Full utilisation of Health Research Authority (HRA) national pharmacy, radiation, and information governance (IG) reviews, as well as central model agreements and guidance.
• Adherence to the National Contract Value Review (NCVR) principles and process for all commercial contract research.
• Alignment to new guidance for interpretation of the current Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) in NHS research involving ionising radiation.

Once accepted onto the RDN Portfolio, all studies must follow good portfolio practice throughout the delivery of the study. This is outlined in the RDN Portfolio terms and conditions and includes a requirement for live or near live uploading of data for sites/sponsors. From 5 January 2026 these terms and conditions set out that DHSC may instruct the RDN to withdraw support and remove commercial interventional studies from the portfolio if studies are not set up within timeframes and reasonable circumstances as set out by DHSC via the UK Clinical Research Delivery Programme.