Will consultations make the research process easier?
NHS England has announced plans to ‘simplify and standardise’ research in its hospitals.
A standard set of terms and conditions will be introduced to all hospitals carrying out research which will replace hospitals agreeing their own terms individually with researchers.
NHS England will also look at better ways of dealing with excess treatment costs, which can arise from research within the NHS. While treatment costs for commercial research are covered by industry the NHS is responsible for costs when research is funded by charities and the government.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said the NHS has an outstanding track record in cancer research and has also developed and trialled the latest drug worldwide for men with advanced prostate cancer.
He said the NHS is one of the best places in the world to carry out research and the UK is also one of seven countries trialling new radiotherapy technology.
The consultation aims to remove ‘long standing frustrations’, and make it easier to get research projects up and running.
Further information
NHS England: NHS England announces plans to break down barriers for research