FPM Supports AoMRC’s Academic Leads Committee Position Statement on Clinical Research

This statement is issued on behalf of our President, Dr Sheuli Porkess

FPM supports the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) Academic Leads Committee position statement on the importance of research in the NHS. The statement highlights challenges that threaten the NHS’s position as a world leader in health research, including the decline in clinical academics and NHS doctors carrying out research.

As the medical specialty focused on developing and delivering new medicines and health technologies, our members across industry, academia and the NHS design and conduct the clinical trials that bring new treatments to patients. Clinical research is vital for innovation, and a strong NHS research environment is essential to sustaining it.

We therefore endorse the call for ring-fenced research time, expanded out-of-programme opportunities – including time in industry – and the reporting of standardised research metrics at Board level.