Wellcome Trust welcomes Government’s Life Sciences Strategy and NHS innovation review
The Director of the Wellcome Trust, Sir Mark Walport, has responded to the Government’s Life Sciences Strategy, announced today by Prime Minister David Cameron, and to the review of innovation in the NHS from NHS Chief Executive Sir David Nicholson.
"The Prime Minister has announced a comprehensive package of actions that together have the potential to transform healthcare innovation in the UK," said Sir Mark. "We welcome the Government's commitment to ensure that patients can benefit from the recent dramatic advances in scientific understanding, and academics, industry and the NHS must now work together to realise this vision.
"I am particularly delighted that the Government has listened to research charities and recognised the importance of allowing researchers to access patient information, with appropriate safeguards. A patient once said to me: 'Giving my anonymous data is the most painless thing I can do to help others get better.' These proposals will allow many more willing patients to do exactly that, delivering a step-change in patient care and real improvements in the health of the population. The NHS Innovation Review is spot on when it says 'the greater the number of patients involved in research, the wider the public benefit.'"
About the Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust’s breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests.