The critical importance of research and innovation in driving medical advances has been recognised in the NHS Long-Term Plan, with a commitment to enhancing the benefits these bring both to patients and the UK economy. Under the 10-year plan, announced in January this year, research investment is set to double for the period 2015 to 2020, with £300 million of government support. Patients benefit enormously from research and innovation, with breakthroughs enabling prevention of ill-health, earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, better outcomes, and faster recovery. Research and innovation are also important for the UK economy, bringing jobs and services. Along with measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, the aim is to increase the number of people registering to participate in health research to one million by 2023/24. People will be able to view opportunities to participate and register interest on the NHS App by 2020.
To read this article in full please check out the Spring 19 edition of our Research Matters Newsletter.
The NIHR has announced a £135 million investment in 15 new NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs), to support applied health and care research that responds to, and meets, the needs of local populations and local health and care systems.
A simple finger-prick blood test could help prevent unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics for people with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to NIHR-funded research.