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- Talk
- 11/03/2021
- UK
Getting Successful and Keeping Up to Date with the NIHR Funding Streams
Description
In a comprehensive presentation led by Sallie Lamb, the discussion centers on the opportunities for enhancing clinical practice in foot and ankle surgery through high-quality clinical trials funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Lamb outlines the NIHR's role as the research arm of the NHS, detailing its significance as a flagship for UK science and its influence on commissioning service treatments based on high-quality evidence.
The talk elaborates on the current research ecosystem, emphasizing that the NIHR has created a centralized professional management system for the NHS's research efforts, boasting an annual funding envelope surpassing one billion pounds. Lamb stresses that this funding aims to improve health outcomes through research advancements and also bolster the UK's international scientific competitiveness.
Lamb highlights the importance of designing clinical trials that address significant clinical questions, showcasing the success of groups like the Intensive Care Society in launching impactful clinical trials. The NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) program is presented as the primary avenue for funding late-phase trials focusing on clinical and cost-effectiveness.
Challenges regarding the reduced competitiveness of funding due to budget cuts from COVID interventions are acknowledged, alongside addressing a perceived bias against surgical interventions in NIHR-funded studies. Lamb firmly emphasizes the independence of NIHR in managing its research priorities and stresses the importance of robust application writing skills for potential researchers.
The presentation concludes with an invitation for collaboration and support within the clinical community to ensure that high-quality research continues in surgical fields, coupled with a call to action for those interested in developing future studies.