SMHRN Annual Scientific Meeting:
'Doing the 'right thing': Tension between the popular, political and scientific'

Date:	23rd November 2010
Time:	10am - 5pm
Venue:	Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Cost:	Free

We are delighted to announce that we are holding our Annual Scientific Meeting on 23rd November. We would like to invite anybody intersted or involved in mental health research in Scotland to attend the day. The theme for the day is 'Doing the 'right thing': Tension between the popular, political and scientific' we will soon have our draft programme available to view online. Places are limited so please complete and return our application form ASAP.

SMHRN Newsletter: First quarterly issue

We would like to welcome you to the launch of the SMHRN Newsletter. The newsletter will be available to download on our website and will be sent out electronically every quarter to our mailing list. If you have not already done so, please join our mailing list.

Inside this issue you can find out more about our Adoption Service and our portfolio of adopted studies; our four new Protocol Development Groups for 2010. The Scottish Mental Health Association is in our regular Focus on Community and Support Organisations section. We would welcome any feedback, comments or suggestions on this issue please send us an email.

Public Brain Imaging Survery

Edinburgh Neuroscience Centre have been running a debate in Glasgow about the current and future uses of brain imaging technology and where this technology might be taking us. We are looking for people who are not brian imaging experts to give us their opinions.

Please complete this short Lay (general public, no imaging) survey which should take no more than 5 minutes.

Edinburgh Neuroscience now has a survey available for people who are involved with brain imaging. Expert Survey

New GMC guidelines for doctors involved with research

The General Medical Council (GMC) has published new guidance for doctors, Good practice in research and Consent to research. This replaces the guidance booklet, Research: The role and responsibilities of doctors (2002) and comes into effect on 4 May 2010.

Research is essential to maintaining and improving healthcare but it can be a difficult area for doctors to navigate. The pieces of guidance provide a framework to guide doctors’ decisions throughout all stages of a research project. They include specific advice on:

• The law and governance arrangements that apply to research in the UK
• Good research design and practice, including the importance of promoting equality and preventing discrimination at all stages of research
• Avoiding conflicts of interest and protecting participants from harm
• The process of seeking participant consent
• Involving adults who lack capacity in research
• The considerations about involving children or young people in research