CMO recommends directors for research in NHS trusts

Speaking at the NHS Confederation conference this afternoon Dame Sally Davies, who is also the chief scientific adviser to the Department of Health, said: “The more patients you put into studies locally, the more money will come to you to support that endeavour. We have across England comprehensive research networks, following health economies… they’re there to support your joining in research.

“Why don’t you at board level appoint a director with a responsibility for promoting and supporting research.” Dame Sally recommended that the director examine the trust’s metrics on study initiation and delivery, and develop an improvement plan.

She also recommended that NHS bodies ensure that their research and development departments become “first class”, and said she knew of one example of a teaching hospital which had put its “third rate staff” into research and development, “to get them out of the way”.

Dame Sally also said trusts should publish a capability statement about research online to show their ambitions, to highlight research activities in their quality accounts.

She argued that supporting the life sciences industry though undertaking clinical trials would help the UK economy, and that there was a high level of patient support for NHS organisations taking part in clinical trials. Dame Sally added: “We can help you join in and get it right - then you’ll see the money flowing in to your trust to support that activity.”

She also made a plea for public health not to split from the NHS. “To me one of the important things going forward is to make sure that public health does not separate from the NHS and that the NHS does not walk away from public health.

“We are in this together to improve the health of our public… it’s science and research that will prove to you that you will have a return on your investment and that it’s worth doing.”