From research to reality: A vision for a research and innovation-powered NHS
This report sets out a vision for science to be embedded at the heart of the UK National Health Service (NHS). It examines the current context of the research ecosystem and outlines recommendations to achieve the vision.
Report at a glance
This report has been commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, authored by Wellcome, BIT and Nesta, with contributions from RAND Europe.
- Published:
- 4 February 2025
- Strategic programme:
- What's inside:
- An overview of the current health research system; a vision for a research and innovation-powered NHS; recommendations to unlock progress.
- Who this is for:
- Government bodies and policymakers
- Creative commons:
Summary
The transformative power of health research is undeniable. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we witnessed first-hand the impact of advancements in vaccines, treatments and diagnostics to save lives. In the UK, innovations like antibiotics, medical imaging and keyhole surgery have revolutionised care and contributed to a ten-year increase in life expectancy.
However, weaknesses in the research ecosystem are holding back innovation, such as inflexible systems, fragmented processes and short-term funding.
The government’s NHS ten-year plan provides a valuable opportunity to embed innovation and research in the health service. By achieving the vision outlined in this report, we can build an NHS which elevates economic prosperity, health outcomes and meaningfully improves people’s lives.
The vision
Three fundamental shifts are central to the government’s ambitious mission for health in 2035: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.
Yet these transformations will only succeed through a fourth shift: from research to reality. This will embed research and innovation to create an NHS fit for the future.
The following changes will be essential to unlock progress toward this vision:
Moving from patchy patient engagement to citizens being proactively involved in their healthcare and in health research
Citizens should be able to monitor and manage their own health easily and be involved in shaping health research from the earliest stages of design.
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Wellcome commissioned the Nesta Group to explore where research could take healthcare in the next ten years, with the goal to create a high-level vision rather than focusing on specific policy recommendations.
We conducted a rapid review of academic and grey literature to explore the current policy and industry context of health science research. Based on these findings, we created a draft vision for a research and innovation-powered NHS. Representatives from Wellcome, BIT and Nesta and RAND Europe discussed and refined the initial vision at a workshop.
External expert stakeholders reviewed and refined the updated vision further via an in-person workshop and an online survey consultation. Workshop attendees comprised representatives from government, research funders, industry, healthcare professionals and patient experts. The online survey consultation sought feedback on the vision from additional subject and patient experts. The final ‘Vision for a research- and innovation-powered NHS’ incorporates comments and suggestions provided during these activities. Full literature review is available in downloads.
Conclusion
This report sets out a vision for research to be at the heart of the NHS, shaped by subject and patient experts, alongside contributions from Wellcome, BIT and Nesta and RAND Europe colleagues. We hope this is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with health decision-makers and diverse stakeholders to shape the future of a research and innovation-powered NHS in the UK.
Downloads
Contact us
Tom Harrison, Senior Policy Officer:
Alastair Russell, Government Relations Lead:
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