Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosts summit to honour 60 years of health research in the NHS
 Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Sally C Davies, Director General of Research and Development, Department of Health.
At the summit, the Prime Minister confirmed that health research is a core function of the NHS.
The summit had the theme "The Power of Partnership" to emphasise the key role played by all partners - NHS, Government, Universities, charities, patients and industry - in working together to improve health and drive international competitiveness through research. The summit aimed to highlight the central role played by the NHS in research, and to consider what steps are needed now, by all partners working together, to consolidate and build on this strong position as the NHS celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Speaking at the summit, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, confirmed that the Government’s Best Research for Best Health strategy is being delivered by the National Institute for Health Research. He said that a lot has been achieved over the last two years, and that remarkable progress had been made in transforming the NHS contribution to health research, which was beginning to realise its potential.
The Summit was hosted by the Prime Minister together with Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, and John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Public Health and Professor, Lord Darzi of Denham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lords) and Professor Dame Sally C. Davies, Director General of Research and Development, Department of Health were also in attendance.
Delegates included Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, Chris Brinsmead, President of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry, Harpur Kumar, Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director Department of Health as well as NHS Trust Chief Executives.
Speaking at the summit, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, stated that every patient in the NHS should have the right to take part in approved medical research that is appropriate for them, and set out the measures that will be introduced to deliver this commitment. The Government's commitment to research is in the proposed NHS Constitution, which was published for consultation on 30 June. Read more.
A new report, 60 years of research in the NHS benefiting patients, was published on the same day. It summarises some of the great research discoveries that have been made in the NHS since its birth in 1948. Mr Johnson said:
"The UK is a world leader in health research. We owe a great debt to the many thousands of people who have contributed over the years to the future health and well-being of us all. These advances could not have happened without the imagination and commitment of the scientists and clinicians we celebrate today. The people who took part in their research deserve to be part of that celebration."
The Prime Minister also announced the redevelopment of the internationally renowned Cambridge Laboratory of Molecular Biology, a flagship MRC Institute.
Following the summit, the Prime Minister officially opened the Royal Brompton Hospital's new £2.2 million magnetic navigation catheter laboratory, the most advanced of its kind in Europe.
DH press release
Information about the PM's official opening of Royal Brompton Hospital's new magnetic navigation catheter laboratory
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