£64 million funding to back UK-wide plan to strengthen clinical research delivery
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Better health outcomes through more effective and efficient
research as seen throughout the pandemic Promoting a
patient-centred, innovative and data-enabled clinical research
environment Embedding research in the NHS to increase UK’s capacity
and capability to deliver cutting-edge clinical research Patients
across the UK will benefit from a super-charged clinical research
system, backed by over £64 million of dedicated investment, which
will save lives across...Request free
trial
Patients across the UK will benefit from a super-charged clinical research system, backed by over £64 million of dedicated investment, which will save lives across the country. Following the bold vision ‘Saving and improving lives: the future of UK clinical research delivery’ published in March, the UK government and devolved administrations today set out the first phase of activity to ensure research will have better health outcomes and allow more patients to be involved in, and benefit from, research of relevance to them. The activity for the coming months will include:
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “Clinical research has been vital in our fight against COVID-19 and has saved thousands of lives. Working with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments, our ambitious UK-wide vision for the future of clinical research delivery is essential if we are to build on this exciting and life saving momentum. “We are making this vision a reality by continuing to work closely with our partners across the UK, the NHS, regulators, industry and medical research sector. We will create a more innovative, resilient and patient-centred clinical research system.” The link between research and benefit to patients through better treatments and care has never been clearer. Over the last year the UK’s research efforts fighting COVID-19 have reinforced the vital role clinical research plays in the health of the population. Continued development of new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines will ensure a front-footed approach in tackling the virus. The activity in the coming months will include:
Lord Bethell, Minister for Innovation, said: “Working with colleagues in the devolved administrations and across the sector on this ambitious plan will ensure that we develop a clinical research environment that benefits everyone in all parts of the UK. “This is the first step in a big ambitious vision. We will continue to build upon these strong foundations to deliver a research ecosystem that positions the UK as a global leader in cutting-edge clinical research. With research embedded across the NHS, UK will be a global leader in trials for new treatments and technologies.” Publication of the plan follows on from the historic G7 Health Ministers’ agreement to create a new Therapeutics and Vaccines Clinical Trials Charter setting out shared principles to accelerate the speed with which clinical trials generate robust evidence and how their findings can be implemented in this and future pandemics. Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Care, Welsh Government, said: “Wales has great opportunities for clinical research and we are fully committed to playing our part in making the UK clinical research system one of the best, if not the best, in the world. The plan launched today is a key stepping stone to achieve our collective ambitions. I am delighted to see the strong alignment to our ‘A Healthier Wales’ strategy, in which individuals are at the heart of transformation and modernisation of health and care services, and where research is embedded in high quality care. “Health and Care Research Wales will continue to work collaboratively with all partners, across the UK and across Wales, as we seek innovative solutions and implement this ambitious plan for the benefit of the public, patients and the workforce.” Humza Yousaf, Health Secretary, Scottish Government said: “Scotland has a long history of pioneering health research and through NHS Research Scotland and the Chief Scientist Office of Scottish Government we are committed to working with our partners across the UK to create a more innovative and resilient research environment that will ultimately improve patients’ lives. “The plan we have launched today recognises the importance of collaboration and cross border working, ensuring the UK is a cohesive and streamlined location to attract, and undertake, research in a global economy.” Robin Swann, Health Minister, Northern Ireland, said: “Northern Ireland recognises the value of a UK-wide approach to clinical research and we are committed to participation in the delivery of this vision. We are already fully involved in many of the UK-wide work streams, working in partnership towards collective and compatible solutions to create a clinical research ecosystem which benefits all patients across the UK.” Close collaborative and partnership working between organisations right across the UK through the Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth programme - which includes representatives from all UK health departments, the NHS, regulators, the NIHR, medical research charities and industry - will help make the UK one of the best places in the world to conduct cutting-edge clinical research. [ENDS]Supportive quotes:Dr William van’t Hoff, Chief Executive of the NIHR Clinical Research Network, said: “The pandemic has clearly demonstrated the vital link between clinical research and better healthcare. Working in partnership with the NHS throughout the country, we were able to support research that improved evidence, saved lives and enabled rapid vaccine development. Now we can build on that collaboration with partners from across the sector, to deliver the UK’s ambitious vision for clinical research delivery. Innovation, efficiency and streamlined research processes underpin the implementation plans to make clinical research faster and easier. This will enable more healthcare professionals to be involved in research, ultimately benefiting patients across the country.” Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said: “Today’s plan is a step towards creating a more competitive clinical research ecosystem across the UK, with the potential to help transform patients’ lives. “We have a significant opportunity to take what we have learnt from the COVID-19 response and put that into improving NHS care and building a stronger UK life science industry.” Hilary Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Medical Research Charities, said: “Delivering on the future vision for clinical research requires a true UK-wide, cross sector collaborative approach. The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), is pleased to be a partner in this plan to achieve a more patient-centred clinical research environment, which empowers and encourages everyone to take part.” Iain Stewart, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: "Never at any point in our lifetime has clinical research been more important and, through this new UK-wide plan, we want to create the most productive possible setting for that research to flourish. "The UK Government will work hand in hand with all our partners to ensure we build on Scotland's reputation as a centre of excellence for the benefit of patients in all parts of the UK and internationally." Notes to editors:Key commitments in the plan include:
In addition to an immediate focus on the managed recovery of the research, the implementation plan is built around seven key areas of action:
The implementation plan sets out the first year of activities towards delivering the vision for the future of UK clinical research delivery, which was published in March 2021 andwas focused around five main themes – embedding research in the NHS; making research more patient-centred to increase access and participation; enabling streamlined, efficient and innovative research; using data and digital tools to advance the UK research ecosystem; and creating a sustainable and supported research workforce. The implementation plan has been developed and is being overseen and delivered by the UK Recovery, Resilience and Growth programme. This UK-wide cross-sector group is made up of the key organisations involved in the delivery of clinical research in the UK, including:
Delivery of clinical research across the UK:
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