FAST-R service
FAST-R – a new, free, confidential service for researchers in England
FAST-R (Feasibility and Support to Timely recruitment for Research) offers fast and easy access to people with experience of mental health problems who have been specially trained and can offer expert advice about patient information sheets, consent forms and recruitment strategies. The FAST-R team can advise on any potential recruitment barriers to your project and make sure information for potential participants (such as patient information sheets and consent forms) is clear and easily understood.
FAST-R may help speed the regulatory approval process. Our service may flag up potential stumbling blocks to ethics or R&D approval or Mental Health Research Network adoption, giving you enough time to make any necessary changes before the proposal is considered.
By using FAST-R, research teams will be able to demonstrate they have met some of the patient and public involvement criteria demanded by funding organisations and ethics committees.
The FAST-R service is provided by people with experience of mental health problems and carers supported by the MHRN South London and South East hub. All the service users and carers who will be commenting on your documents have signed MHRN confidentiality agreements.
The FAST-R service aims to provide feedback to researchers within seven working days of an application being made and any relevant study documents being received.
Any researcher with a mental health research project (although not service evaluation or audit projects) can apply to use the service.
When should I apply to use the service?
You can apply to use the FAST-R service as soon as you have some kind of draft study protocol. The FAST-R service is most effective when you have developed a patient information sheet so that we may offer advice on it. It is also useful if you send us a copy of your IRAS application form, if you are about to take your application to a research ethics committee.
How to apply to use FAST-R
Applying to use the FAST-R service is simple. Just fill out the short online submission form and upload your documents. The more documentation you provide, the more comprehensive our response.
What we ask from you
FAST-R is completely free of charge. All that we require in return is that you give us feedback to help us ensure the service is effective.
What happens once a submission is made to use the FAST-R service?
When you send the submission form and study documents, we will email you to confirm that your application has been accepted. We will then send your information to two service users or carers who will review your documents.
The service users/carers will fill in a structured feedback form and their comments will be collated and sent back to you by email. We will normally send feedback to you within seven working days.
Contact FAST-R
If you have any questions about the FAST-R service, contact the MHRN South London and South East hub by email, FAST-R@kcl.ac.uk, or by phone, 0207 848 5015.
page last updated 2 May 2011