UK R&D finance Managers Group was established to support the NHS wider community to address concerns relating to the potential NHS research departments financial deficit due to COVID-19. The task and finish group undertook a rapid survey within the R&D leadership and finance communities. Responses were received from around 50 NHS organisations of which 90% reported concerns of major financial risks associated with the research response to COVID-19.
From this survey and further conversations within the R&D community, the group have identified that whilst there is some concern around NIHR funding, the main concerns for NHS R&D departments and their respective organisations relate to:
- Decreased commercial income
- Unfunded research costs for UPH studies
- Decreased charity income and future unfunded grant extensions
- COVID19 Vaccine Trials
The paper aims to set out the reasons for concern, assess the impact and proposes recommendations for consideration by DHSC. It concludes that a significant proportion, possibly as much as 40%, of the UKs clinical research infrastructure is funded by non-NIHR core funding streams and urgent action is required. Failure to address the issues will result in significant and rapid loss of highly skilled workforce and infrastructure.
The task and finish group comprised of representatives from the following organisations: University Hospital Southampton, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust. Thanks to all participants for their valuable contribution.
