Supporting National Ambitions for Life Sciences Research and the 150-day target on set-up of clinical trials

Date: 21 November 2025

Please see latest joint DHSC/NHSE letter signed by Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Health and Social Care NIHR Chief Executive Officer and Professor Meghana Pandit National Medical Director, NHS England that we understand is also being cascaded directly to NHS organisations.

The 150-day target is a key priority for organisations in the health and care system and this letter builds on previous letters shared. This is a headline action in the 10 Year Health Plan for England, reinforced in the Life Sciences Sector Plan. It is now a requirement in the new ‘Medium Term Planning Framework – delivering change together 2026/27 to 2028/29’ (page 24). The letter provides clarification on the NHS England headcount stipulations which continue to provide staffing challenges in NHS organisations.

We welcome the joint DHSC/NHSE letter and continuing clarification on these ambitions. The RDF will continue to feedback our communities’ views and continue to influence and inform NHS England and DHSC. By working together, and through our monthly peer support sessions, such as our new HIVE MIND: Knowledge Sharing Session – Research Study Set-up. We can support our community to achieve improved trial set-up and deliver targets.

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