Department of Health

The Patient Safety Research Programme calls for applications to study health care from a safety perspective in one or both of the following: the accident and emergency department; the operating theatre.

Researchers may tender for one or both of the above, but, in the latter case, the projects should be costed separately. The programme wishes to commission an in-depth empirical investigation of factors which are likely to promote or threaten patient safety in one or both of the above areas of clinical activity. The study should take an ethnographic approach, based on detailed (direct and/or vicarious) observations of practice, examination of equipment and interviews with clinicians. Furthermore, a multi-disciplinary approach, grounded in 'engineering' both human and physical processes for greater safety should be used.

The research should last between one and two years and the DOH is looking to commission projects in the range £150k - £250k for each of the above.

Full details here
Address: Pauline Marshall
Research and Development Division Department of Health
Room 401A
Skipton House
80 London Road
London SE1 6LH
Email: Pauline.Marshall@doh.gsi.gov.uk