Academy supports Russell Group briefing, calling to reverse the 'alarming decline' in clinical academic posts and warning that action is needed to improve career pathways and protect research time for clinical academics, to deliver the NHS 10 Year Health Plan successfully.
Professor Rosalind Smyth CBE FMedSci, Vice President (Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:
"The Russell Group’s briefing rightly recognises the importance of clinical academics in delivering healthcare, driving innovation and supporting economic growth. Collaboration between universities, the NHS and industry is essential to reversing the decline in numbers. Colleagues from Russell Group institutions have already demonstrated this commitment by signing our co-developed statement of ambition and intent for creating new UK clinical academic posts.
We’ve also been working with funders to create a more common and visible national clinical research career pathway. The Academy is committed to working with others across the health research ecosystem to help reverse the declining numbers of this key part of the workforce. Without coordinated action, we risk losing the research capacity needed to develop new treatments and improve patient care.”
