BMFMS does not have a formal research group but rather provides input into a number of clinical study groups (CSGs). This decision has been made because of major developments in the UK aimed at facilitating the conduct of high quality clinical trials and other well designed studies. Our committee has a strong representation within the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) and has been a leading driver in conjunction with the RCOG in the development of the National Reproductive Health Research Network (NRHRN) and a number of ‘pregnancy related’ CSGs
Professor Steve Thornton a member of the BMFMS Organising Committee (2004-2010) was instrumental in setting up the first CSG, the Preterm Birth CSG which the BMFMS provided initial funding for. The CSGs aim to set the national research agenda and to critically appraise and support research projects within the study group theme. The different CSGs within pregnancy care are:
If you are in the UK and are in the process of developing a clinical trial or other clinical study, you can contact the relevant CSG for support and guidance in helping you to develop your idea. If you are outside the UK and want to approach centres to participate in your research, the relevant CSG will provide guidance on request.
All clinical research which is funded by a UKCRC partner (and this includes most UK national funding organisations who fund research through open national competition, including most research charities) are eligible for their study to be adopted on to the NIHR CRN Portfolio database. This is a database of all on-going studies giving information about the study and contact details of the investigators, as well as up-to-date recruitment information.
General guidance about this national initiative can be found on the NIHR Clinical Research Network Co-ordinating Centre website.