For those of you who are not aware of the network, this is an all-organ initiative between clinical, patient, lay and scientific representatives, to support research in organ donation and transplantation, to encourage and develop strong collaborations, for patient benefit. We have an Executive team and Board, with representation nationally and across organs, and a network representative in each transplanting centre. We have undertaken a survey to examine barriers to research in the UK, both for researchers and for patients. The next phase of work will be to begin to address some of the barriers.
We now seek funding to undertake work that will build network infrastructure, and research platforms, including the development of a recipient bioresource to partner with the successful donor biobank, QUOD. We are working with NHS Blood and Transplant to establish linkage of data from cancer registry and other national databases to complement the transplant registry data and provide more detailed information about patient outcomes.
Central to our work is partnership with patients, donor families and lay representatives, and my Co-Director, Karen Rockell, is working very hard to establish a patient group that is inclusive and representative. A strength of the network is its collaboration with the British Transplantation Society, NHS Blood and Transplant and charities, such as Kidney Research UK, who have been strong in their support. Over the coming months, we wish to build links with other organ charities.
The network has the potential to make a real difference to how we deliver research in organ donation and transplantation within the UK. The early months are key, as we seek funding to deliver a research platform that will be accessible to all. Once we have developed infrastructure, we will be able to discuss and define research priorities nationally. We hope that all interested colleagues and patients will join us both in these discussions and in transforming them into reality.
We look forward to working with you all. We would also like to thank the British Transplantation Society for their generous support to fund the creation of this website.