New support strategy for health research

The strategy, “Best Research for Best Health”, is designed to make it easier and quicker to start research and improve its quality and relevance to patients. According to the Department of Health, the strategy will ensure the NHS supports the Government’s commitment to make the UK a world-class environment for health research, development and innovation. It sets out how the Department of Health will spend over £650 million a year on research and development with NHS funding directed at relevant high quality, patient-based research.

As part of the new strategy every patient in England will have access to clinical trials and have the opportunity to participate in studies involving cutting-edge medical therapies.

Bureaucracy busting measures will also be introduced to tackle the increasing red-tape that is stifling research. Programmes of research will be expanded, with the NHS research networks to be funded on a population basis. In addition, the Department of Health is establishing world-leading research centres to drive progress on innovation and translational research in the areas of biomedicine and NHS service quality and safety.