The Great Western Clinical Research Alliance is a newly funded consortium with the other GW4 universities of Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter, as well as Swansea University and local NHS Trusts and Boards.
This follows new MRC investment of £9.7 million to establish 10 Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR), bringing together more than 50 research organisations and over 60 NHS organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
RACR is a pilot initiative supporting clinicians at critical stages in their research careers to stay involved in research alongside clinical practice. The initiative will strengthen the UK’s clinical research workforce, which underpins innovation, improved care and better health outcomes for NHS patients.
Dr Prasad Nishtala, Department of Life Sciences, and Professor Sarah Halligan, Department of Psychology, are University of Bath Co-Leads on the Great Western Clinical Research Alliance consortium.
Dr Nishtala says:
As Bath co-lead on this important MRC investment in strengthening clinical academic research careers. This programme will help develop the next generation of researchers, accelerate scientific discovery, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions. Ultimately, these investments will translate into better evidence, innovation, and improved patient outcomes across healthcare systems.
Professor Halligan says:
I'm thrilled that Bath is part of this award, which will provide much needed additional support to increase the number of clinicians who are active in research. This focus on clinical researchers is fundamental to delivering real-world changes to healthcare.
Clinical researchers bridge the gap between scientific discovery and better patient care. Their research prevents illness and develops new treatments connecting academia, the NHS and industry. Supporting clinicians to undertake research alongside their clinical roles is essential to maintaining an innovative, evidence led NHS and driving the development of new treatments.
To help address the barriers that many clinicians face to starting and sustaining research career, the MRC has established 10 Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers spanning the UK and more than 50 universities and over 60 NHS organisations. Each regional consortium will receive £250,000 to £350,000 a year for up to four years. Working with local universities, the NHS and organisations that support research, the RACR will deliver flexible, tailored support to more than 190 clinicians across the UK.
Investing in locally led solutions Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council, says:
Clinicians play a vital role in turning discovery research into better treatments for patients, but too many face barriers to sustaining research alongside demanding clinical roles. These challenges vary across the UK, which is why a regional approach is so important to building strong partnerships between universities and NHS trusts. Through Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers, we are investing in locally led solutions that support clinicians at critical points in their careers, strengthen research environments, and help improve patient outcomes while accelerating life sciences innovation to support economic growth and a stronger NHS.
By enabling place based solutions, RACR aims to strengthen clinical research capacity in ways that are relevant, inclusive and sustainable, helping ensure the NHS benefits from research expertise across the whole UK.
Insights from the programme will inform future approaches to strengthening the UK’s clinical research workforce and ensuring that research continues to benefit patients and the NHS nationwide.