We've launched a new three-year strategy today (Wednesday 9 July), which sets out how we will support the UK government's health and growth missions by making it easier to do research that people can trust.
The government has set out its plan to kickstart economic growth and to build an NHS fit for the future. Today we are setting out our new strategy and objectives for the next three years, which will support these missions:
- supporting UK growth in life sciences by making the UK the easiest place in the world to do health and social care research
- helping reduce health inequalities by ensuring that health and social care research is done with and for everyone
- increasing the impact of money invested in research by streamlining the process of doing health and social care research so that it is efficient and encourages and supports success
To achieve these objectives, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure we continue to be a trusted and effective organisation that makes it simple and fast to do research well.
We have set measurable outcomes that we will achieve over the next three years by working in this way.
There are four areas where you will see the biggest change to support the government objectives. We will:
- build its digital foundations as part of the vision for modern, digital government, making it faster and easier to use its digital services to plan, approve, set up, manage and complete research in the UK
- embed productivity into everything it does, guiding decision-making so every penny spent on research has the biggest impact possible
- work in partnership UK-wide to provide a world-class regulatory system that reduces the burden, time, and cost to do research with and for everyone
- build the profile that it needs for its assurances to be understood, valued and trusted, reducing duplication in the set up of research and supporting public confidence to take part in research
The launch of our new strategy follows the publication of the government's 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out investment in medical research, ambitions to turbocharge clinical research and plans to ensure that millions can take part in research. The HRA’s new strategy is focused on supporting these ambitions.
Matt Westmore, Chief Executive at the HRA“We are very excited to launch our new strategy which sets out how we will work with our partners across the sector to make the UK one of the best places in the world for medical research. In doing so, we will help the government to realise it’s missions for economic growth and an NHS fit for the future.
“The reforms outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan signals a pivotal moment in the health and social care research sector, and shows how the UK is uniquely placed to lead the next era of research, and we are ready to play our part.
“Trust is at the heart of our new strategy. Building and earning trust with the public and the health and social care system will be fundamental to getting this right. Without trust people won’t want to take part in research and won’t be able to benefit from its findings.”
Neelam Patel, Chair at the HRA"Right now, health and social care research in the UK is at a turning point. The Prime Minister’s call to accelerate clinical trials and invest in digital infrastructure signals a new era, not only for our NHS but for the health and wellbeing of everyone in our country.
“This is more than a strategy. It’s a call to action for researchers, the public, and partners across the country. With the HRA at the centre - driving speed, fairness, and quality in research - we can build a healthier, more innovative nation, together. The future of UK health and social care research is bright, and the HRA is proud to lead the way.”
Launch event
The new strategy was developed with members of the HRA community, members of the public, researchers and leading organisations from across the health and social care research sector.
It was launched at a special online event, hosted our Chief Executive, Matt Westmore, and our Chair, Neelam Patel, and attended by more than 350 people. During the event our staff, volunteers and partners discussed our four key outcomes ‘trusted', 'effective, 'simple', and 'fast' and what they mean for their work. If you were not able to attend the event you can watch a recording.
Matt Westmore, Chief Executives at the HRA“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in developing our new strategy, especially our staff, community, public contributors and partners. They’ve all played an important role in ensuring that research is done in a way that people can trust. I look forward to working in partnership with them to make our strategy a reality.”
Reactions from the health and social care research sector
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)“We warmly welcome and support the HRA’s new strategy and its aim to make it easier to do research that people can trust.
“The MHRA looks forward to working even more closely with the HRA in deep partnership to deliver for patients, the health system and life sciences sector. This strategy lays the groundwork for a vibrant research environment that contributes to a healthcare infrastructure and economy that is fit for the future.
“We are committed to the vision in the 10 Year Health Plan to seize the huge opportunities that lie in front of us in science, technology and innovation.”
Dr Janet Valentine, Executive Director Innovation and Research Policy, at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industr“Accelerating clinical trial start-up times is a high priority for the pharmaceutical industry. The HRA’s new strategy sets out an intention to expedite this process through greater digitisation and a faster, more efficient approvals processes. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the HRA as they implement these improvements, to ensure our shared ambitions of streamlining and growing medical research in the UK, can be achieved."
Nicola Perrin MBE, Chief Executive at the Association of Medical Research Charities"The HRA plays a vital role in the research ecosystem, helping to make research as easy as possible for researchers and as accessible as possible for patients. We’re delighted this strategy focuses on the importance of building trust. This is crucial for increasing participation of diverse and under-served groups in research. We’re also pleased to see HRA commit to continue to support the considerable contributions of charities, academia, and industry to research that improves lives and helps the NHS and our economy."
Prof Mike Lewis, Scientific Director for Innovation at the National Institute for Health and Care Research"Health research benefits everyone. As the plan for the NHS sets out, if we seize the opportunities provided by new technology, medicines, and research and innovation, we can deliver better care for all.
"The HRA plays a vital role by making it easy to do research that people can trust. This strategy offers a clear vision for how that trust can be maintained, and strengthened, as the UK continues to be a world-leader for life sciences"
Professor Andrew Morris CBE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences“The HRA's new strategy will help strengthen UK health research and supports ambitions outlined in the government's 10 Year Health Plan to put patients at the centre of both their care and the research that helps understand it. The Academy of Medical Sciences is proud to have helped spark the creation of the HRA over a decade ago, and we fully support this bold vision for the future. It will not only drive innovation and improve patient focussed outcomes, but also contribute to the UK’s economic growth through a stronger, more resilient research ecosystem.”
Read the new HRA strategy
If you'd like more information you can read and download the new HRA strategy on our website.