SurfON COVID-19 Temporary Recruitment Pause Notification to Sites

Published on Tuesday, 08 February 2022

We would like to inform you that recruitment to SurfON will be temporarily paused with effect from Friday 11th February 2022 at 23:00. The trial is pausing due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. In order to help sites manage workload at this difficult time, we have decided, in agreement with the funder that it is best to allow the current wave to pass and more normal conditions to resume. We realise that this is short notice of the pause but, given the current stretch on staffing, we think this should be implemented as soon as possible.

We anticipate this pause will be short and we will be reviewing site readiness to recommence recruitment monthly. During the recruitment pause, the trial team will continue to work with sites on data collection for current recruits, identifying training needs and the regulatory and governance documentation. We will continue to be in communication about the pause and restart of SurfON.

Please note that all trial payments will be suspended during the pause period and will only recommence when you have written notification from the SurfON team regarding trial restart to recruitment (anticipated July 2022). However, you will still be able to raise invoices for claims incurred prior to the pause.

Please also note that sites will not be able to randomise babies to SurfON after Friday 11th February 2022 at 23:00. Please ensure that any consent discussions with parents take place ahead of this deadline.

We are grateful for your continued support and participation in SurfON.

Please contact the SurfON team at surfon@npeu.ox.ac.uk if you have any further queries.