Five more Research Officers join growing list of Clinical Research Practitioners across Wales

Over the last few months, five new Research Officers have joined the growing list of accredited Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs) across Wales, with several of them becoming the first accredited CRPs in their health board.

Many allied healthcare professionals work in research delivery roles and are a vital part of research teams across Wales. However, until the CRP scheme came into place, there was no formal education and training pathway.

The scheme, supported by Health and Care Research Wales, was introduced in 2021 by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to improve the professional identity of research delivery staff and develop a clear career pathway. It aims to transform treatment and care in the NHS through research, as well as make research more visible to the public, and is part of a UK-wide aim to grow the number of CRPs to 2000 over the next few years. 

The five newly accredited CRPs are:

• Claire Watkins, Research Officer based at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
• Ronda Loosley and Charlotte Jones, Research Officers based at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
• Jenna Davies and Ellen Turrell, Research Officers based at Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Claire Watkins, who is based at the Clinical Research Centre in Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, has become the first accredited CRP in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. She said:

I have worked in research delivery for 14 years and to me, accreditation is the icing on the cake, a way of affirming what you do for patients.

CRPs can now demonstrate to patients, colleagues and employers that they are competent, trustworthy and committed to achieving high standards of personal behaviour and technically skilled practice. The title practitioner makes it easier for patients to understand what we do within a clinical setting.”

Jenna Davies and Ellen Turrell are the first CRPs in Swansea Bay University Health Board. Jenna, who works in the Southwest Wales Cancer Research Centre in Singleton Hospital felt 

It’s important for research officers like us to have the same recognition as other healthcare professionals, within research teams and in the healthcare service more widely.  

Having this accreditation has helped formalise our role and makes clear how involved we are in the clinical side of research, seeing patients and being hands-on, rather than just behind the scenes.” 

Ellen Turrell said the application process brought together research officers and aspiring CRPs across Wales to support each other.

She said:

Part of the scheme involves reflecting on our work and gathering observations and feedback from our colleagues and managers. It was really helpful to go through the process together whilst getting advice and encouragement from other research officers who were applying through online support groups.” 

Ronda Loosley, who is based at the Clinical Research Centre in Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, said that becoming an accredited CRP has given her extra validation:

I wanted to work towards this registration to validate my role. Myself and the team in the department are experts in research delivery and to have an accreditation gives us a professional recognition amongst our peers in helping facilitate some of the most amazing research happening in Wales.” 

When asked, all five CRPs said they would recommend the scheme to other Research Officers across Wales. Charlotte Jones, based at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, added that the CRP accreditation scheme is a "great way to develop professionally, feel supported and be part of an accredited group of health care professionals. It sets goals and allows achievements to be registered and contribute toward your development.”

Jayne Goodwin, National Head of Research Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales, said,

Clinical Research Practitioners are vital members of our research workforce, supporting the delivery of high-quality and impactful clinical research. The accreditation scheme helps raise the professional status of CRPs, recognises their contributions and ensures they have access to relevant and appropriate professional development opportunities. I am delighted to congratulate those who have received accreditation and look forward to seeing more CRPs across Wales.” 

Learn more by reading about the first CRP to be accredited in Wales and read about read Lucy Hill’s experience in working towards her CRP accreditation as a Senior Research Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board.

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