27 February 2012 - New charging model 1 April 2012

The new MIDAS computer system has brought significant change to how MRIS work is processed. As a consequence we are able to change how we charge for our services. By looking at your requirements and how you use the service there may be opportunities for a real saving to your study. From 1 April 2012 the new charging model will reflect these changes in the following ways:

• Charges will be per input file processed and per Cohort Event Notification (CEN) report or cause of death report produced rather than per case matched.
• A new service set up fee will be charged at the end of the application and approval process. This brings the service in line with our organisational wide policies which will be familiar to those of you who have used our Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) service.
• Any significant changes requested to a study requiring further approval will incur an ‘amendment to service set up' charge.
• An annual service fee to cover administrative and system maintenance costs will be charged to all users of the Flagging for Long-Term Follow Up service.

We also plan to offer a wider range of options in reporting frequencies, these are; monthly, quarterly, six monthly or on an adhoc basis, subject to a minimum of one report per year.

What does this mean to you, the customer?

You need to consider exactly what you require from the MRIS in relation to processing input files and reporting frequencies as these may affect the overall costs for a project. Ask yourself;

• How often do I need to schedule an input file?
• Can this be done when recruitment is complete in one submission?
• How often do I need a Cohort Event Notification (CEN) report and cause of death report?
• Why do I need a CEN or cause of death report?
• Do I need a report to meet a publishing timetable, could this be scheduled more effectively?

Scheduling file submissions and reporting frequencies effectively could result in a real saving.

These changes chiefly affect our standard services; Current Status, Flagging and List Cleaning. If your project requirements fall outside our standard services we will work with you to provide a bespoke service and will estimate charges on a cost recovery basis.

Please see our price list and cost description document for further information.

Contact Us

If you require any help understanding the new fees or would like assistance in estimating the cost of using our services, please contact your usual Study Supervisor or email mris@ic.nhs.uk or telephone 0300 365 3669.

24 November 2011 - New computer system is launched

As you may be aware, the NHS IC has been developing a new computer system, known as MIDAS, to ensure the future of the Medical Research Information Service. MIDAS, officially launched in October, will deliver a greater flexibility around the automatic tracing of records and improve service efficiency.

Clare Sanderson, director of Information Governance at the NHS IC, said: " Not only will MIDAS revolutionise the way the MRIS team does its current business but it also creates the potential for offering completely new services to existing and new customers. We should not underestimate the opportunities that MIDAS will provide for supporting research"

This month the team has started work transitioning the service from the existing computer system to MIDAS. The first stage in this process has been making existing customers aware of the changes to file formats. The new file formats for List Cleaning are already in use. Changes in file formats for the Current Status and Long-Term Follow-up services will come into effect from 1 December 2011.

Further information covering the next steps in the MIDAS rollout, including new service options, changes to the application form and the new charging model for 2012 will follow shortly.

Contact Us

If you would like assistance using our services please email mris@ic.nhs.uk or call 0300 365 3669.

28 January 2011 - New Charges as from 1 April 2011

Over the past 3 years, MRIS has implemented a number of process improvements to improve efficiency such as electronic processing and reporting of Cohort Event Notifications. In 2011, MRIS will launch its new system, MIDAS, which will deliver further efficiencies by automating processes that previously could only be done manually operated and by improving automatic match rates.

Because of these improvements, our existing charging model is no longer appropriate and a new model has been devised that will recoup costs in a more fair and equitable way. The key differences that will impact service users are:

• Costs for ongoing Cohort Event Notification will be reduced
• Costs for Flagging new cohort members will be more proportionate to the quality of the data supplied with customers who achieve the highest automatic match rates being rewarded with lower charges per patient matched
• Reversely, the cost of manual Flagging where an automatic match could not be achieved, will increase to reflect the labour intensive nature of the work

Implementing an instant switch from current price to the new model will have a noticeable impact on the charges to existing service users. In order to ease the transition, we plan to implement this change over a 3-year period. Therefore, it is important to note that the cost of Automatic matches will decrease each year while the cost of Operator matches will increase each year in each of the next 3 years.

Contact Us

If you require any help in understanding the new fees or would like assistance in estimating the cost of using our services, please do not hesitate to contact us by email to mris@ic.nhs.uk or by telephone to 0300 365 3669.

14 October 2010 - Change in Approval Process

As of October 2010 the Database Monitoring sub-Group (DMsG) will be disbanded in its current form. Responsibility for reviewing applications for HES and MRIS has moved to The NHS Information Centre (NHS IC), the first meeting of this group under the auspices of The NHS IC will be in late November and will continue with the operating procedures that DMsG has used up until this point.

The functions provided by DMsG will continue during the ensuing months, during this period of time a review will take place of how the DMsG functions are delivered and consideration will be given to the independent nature of the DMsG and how this can be satisfied from within The NHS IC. You should now contact The NHS IC directly for advice relating to the application process.

For all new applications to access HES data and new applications for MRIS please contact 0845 300 6016 or enquiries@ic.nhs.uk.

For existing applications for flagging and tracing please contact mris@ic.nhs.uk or 0300 365 3669.

More information about these services is available on the links below:

• Medical Research Information Services
• Hospital Episode Statistics