About the Preterm Clinical Network Cohort Research Programme (PCN-CRP)

The Preterm Clinical Network Cohort Research Programme (PCN-CRP) is a series of studies aiming to reduce preterm birth and the problems it can cause. These studies will investigate tests to predict preterm birth, treatments to prevent it, and how to improve outcomes for babies and women’s experience of care. The programme will be carried out in partnership with Tommy’s National Centre for Preterm Birth Research and the UK Preterm Clinical Network (UKPCN). This is a network of doctors, midwives and scientists who are working together to prevent the problems associated with preterm birth.

Women at risk of preterm birth will be asked to take part in one or more of the programme’s individual studies (sub-studies). Although more sub-studies will be added in the future, the first four will investigate:

• how urine infection affects the chances of preterm birth,

• whether different characteristics (e.g. position and measurements) of previous caesarean section scars, seen by ultrasound, can help to predict the chances of preterm birth and which treatments would work best,

• how many women at risk of preterm birth suffer from poor mental health, what additional support they are offered and whether they accept it, and

• new factors to include in QUiPP, a preterm birth prediction and decision support tool.

Future sub-studies will be reviewed and approved by the PCN-CRP’s Steering Committee and NHS Research Ethnics Committee. These may include follow-up studies (involving participants and/or their children), using routinely collected health data, biological sample collection (e.g. blood, urine, vaginal swabs), online questionnaires and interviews. Participants will be kept informed, by regular newsletter and study website, about ongoing studies and results from past studies. Findings will be shared through medical literature, as well as the wider media and PPI social networks, and ultimately will inform further research and national clinical guidelines.

 

About the PCN database

The UK Preterm Clinical Network (UKPCN) is a network of doctors, midwives and researchers who are working to prevent the problems that occur when babies are born too soon.  We use the Preterm Clinical Network (PCN) Database for storing information about the care of women at risk of preterm birth.  This includes information about why they may be at risk of preterm birth, any treatments they have had, and whether they had their babies early.  The information (data) is already collected in maternity notes, but this database makes it much easier for us to review our records and helps us to understand which treatments are the most effective. 

  

What do I do if I have further questions?

For further information please contact:

 

Overall Project Lead

Professor Andrew Shennan

email: andrew.shennan@kcl.ac.uk

tel: 020 7188 3639

 

Project Manager

Dr Jenny Carter

email: jenny.carter@kcl.ac.uk

tel: 020 7188 3634

 

Department of Women and Children's Health
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

10th Floor, North Wing

St Thomas’ Hospital

London SE1 7EH

 

 

• PCN-CRP main information sheet
• PCN-CRP main consent form
• PCN-CRP substudy 1 info and consent (infection screening)
• PCN-CRP substudy 2 info and consent (CS scar characteristics)
• PCN-CRP substudy 3 info and consent (mental wellbeing)
• PCN-CRP substudy 4 info and consent (preterm labour tests)
• PCN Database Participant Information Sheet - GSTT
• PCN Database Consent Form - GSTT