The Research Design Service was established by the National Institute for Health Research to provide assistance to people preparing research proposals for submission to peer reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research.  There are several RDS's in the country, staffed by people from within the NHS and academic organisations.  Your local RDS is the South West Region, with bases in Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth/Poole, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Salisbury, Taunton and Truro.

The service is free of charge to NHS researchers and those working in partnership with the NHS who are developing a grant application to a suitable funding body, particularly the Research for Patient Benefit scheme.  The RDS can advise on:

• Research questions

• The research team

• Study design

• Methodology for qualitative and quantitative research

• Funding sources

• Regulations

• Involvement of patients and carers

To contact the Research Design Service in this area, you can use the same contact details as the Dorset RDSU: 01202 961939, email rdsu@poole.nhs.uk.  The co-ordinating centre is available on 01823 342792 email rds-sw@tst.nhs.uk.  For more information on the Research Design Service, visit the website at www.rds-sw.nihr.ac.uk