19 A NIHR funded clinical research nurse shared between four UK hospices has improved collaboration and recruitment to palliative care research

Background Clinical research is essential to improve care and better target limited health resources. Clinically active research centres have better patient outcomes. Palliative care research is significantly underfunded and lacks capacity compared to other areas of health care. Additional challenges include isolation due to undertaking research in hospices outside of NHS structures, lack of experience and skills of many staff regarding research and a potentially vulnerable patient group. A clinical research nurse is an essential part of the research team, but hospices often do not have sufficient funding to employ a permanent research nurse. Method(s) A multi-centred cluster randomised controlled trial is ongoing across hospices and other palliative care centres in the UK. Four hospices in the North-West of England applied to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network for research nurse time to assist with this trial. A research nurse with a background in palliative care was asked to support the centres. Results The trial is ongoing, but the centres have recruited: Trinity Hospice, Blackpool (11 out of 20 patients) St Catherine's Hospice, Preston (9/20) St John's Hospice, Wirral (9/20) and Willowbrook Hospice, St Helens (4/20) (enrolled later). We are on track for completing well within the recruitment window. Advantages included shared learning across sites, especially about study set up, logistics, and best recruitment practices. The research nurse reported patients were keen to take part and give something back. The clinical teams have gained confidence in research, and it has promoted a positive research culture in the hospices. Challenges included the research nurse's limited availability and wider issues regarding workload and clinical capacity. Conclusion(s) We would recommend other hospices employ a similar approach to provide essential support for clinical research but also improve collaboration across sites and help build a positive research culture.