White Paper confirms Government commitment to research
The Government has set out its vision for the NHS in the White Paper, "Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS", published on 12 July.
The White Paper makes extensive reference to the importance of the conduct of research, and the use of research evidence, as key elements of the NHS.
In particular the White Paper emphasises:
The core role of research in the NHS: "The Government is committed to the promotion and conduct of research as a core NHS role". (para 3.16)
The role of the new NHS Commissioning Board in promoting research: "The Board...will promote involvement in research and the use of research evidence". (para 4.11)
The importance of research for Commissioners and Providers: "Commissioners and providers will focus on implementing best practice to achieve improvements in outcomes, supported by...continued research. (page 45 box)
The importance of clinical research and the NIHR: "The NHS has an increasingly strong focus on evidence-based medicine, supported by internationally respected clinical researchers with funding from the National Institute for Health Research". (para 1.6)
The importance of research to underpin policy-making: "The Department is committed to evidence-based policy-making and a culture of evaluation and learning". (para 1.23)
The success of NIHR Clinical Research Networks: "Our patient participation levels in cancer research are the highest in the world". (para 1.6)
The role of research in supporting the new Public Health Service: "The forthcoming Health Bill will support the creation of a new Public Health Service...including an increased emphasis on research, analysis and evaluation". (para 4.15).
The importance of patient involvement in research: "This [shared decision-making] is equally true of the partnership between patients and clinicians in research, where those institutions with strong participation in clinical trials tend to have better outcomes". (para 2.3)
The importance of research in increasing patient choice and control: "The Government will: Give patients more information on research studies that are relevant to them, and more scope to join in if they wish". (page 17 box)
The importance of patient-related information, with appropriate safeguards, in enabling research:
"Making aggregated, anonymised data available to the university and research sectors also has the potential to suggest new areas of research through medical and scientific analysis". (para 2.13)
The role of research, and researchers, in improving healthcare outcomes: "Research is vital in providing the new knowledge needed to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities". (para 3.16)
"The Government believes that outcomes will improve most rapidly when clinicians are engaged, and creativity, research participation and professionalism are allowed to flourish". (para 3.4)
The increased importance of research in times of constrained resources: "Research is even more important when resources are under pressure - it identifies new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating disease. It is essential if we are to increase the quality and productivity of the NHS, and to support growth in the economy." (para 3.16)
The importance of research in developing quality standards: "To support the development of quality standards, NICE will advise the National Institute for Health Research on research priorities". (para 3.12)
The importance of research in implementing quality standards: "The standards....will include information for clinicians and patients on relevant and ongoing research studies that are key to improving evidence for better outcomes". (para 3.13)
The Government's commitment to partnership between the NHS and Universities: "The Department will continue to promote the role of Biomedical Research Centres and Units, Academic Health Science Centres and Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, to develop research and to unlock synergies between research, education and patient care." (para 3.16)
The importance of industry in the context of research: "A thriving life sciences industry is critical to the ability of the NHS to deliver world-class health outcomes". (para 3.16)
A commitment to cut research bureaucracy: "The Government will cut the bureaucracy involved in medical research. We have asked the Academy of Medical Sciences to conduct an independent review of the regulation and governance of medical research. In the light of this review we will consider the legislation affecting medical research, and the bureaucracy that flows from it, and bring forward plans for radical simplification". (para 5.8)
12 July 2010