Table 1.

Summary of recommendations

For trusts, health boards and integrated care systems (ICSs)
  • Develop strong links between medical directors, R&D directors and chief executives

  • Encourage support for research to be recognised as part of direct clinical activity and reward involvement of such through local and national awards

  • Ring-fence time for research in job plans of those who want to have a substantive research leadership role

  • Ensure that multidisciplinary workforce planning encompasses those who support research

  • Take opportunities to implement proportionate training requirements for those involved in research (including taking account of MHRA and HRA's joint statement on the application of Good Clinical Practice)1

For HEE, NHSE and equivalent bodies in the other UK nations
  • Work with stakeholders to promote opportunities for postgraduate doctors, medical students and other health professionals to engage with research

  • Recognise and reward trusts that engage with research and industry to improve patient care

For regulators
  • For the CQC: strengthen assessment of clinical research activity as a marker of care within assessment processes for trusts and ICSs

  • For the GMC: build on the publication of its key principles2 – which set out system changes needed to encourage engagement with research – by continuing to work with partners to encourage greater participation

For funders
  • For the NIHR: continue to build capacity and capability for research across the whole of the NHS and care, working closely with other funders, academies and cross-funder initiatives

  • Ensure that grant awards and research processes recognise and support research that addresses health inequalities and other NHS priority areas

  • Ensure that research projects that are funded are accessible and inclusive

  • Provide support to grant-holders to reduce the environmental impact of clinical research activity