Millions given to NHS for "cutting-edge" research equipment
Close to £2 million is going to organisations across Staffordshire and Cheshire
More than £96 million that has been awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to 93 NHS organisations across England.
Nearly £2 million will be allocated in Staffordshire and Cheshire
It's hoped the funding will drive research and innovation to enable scientific discoveries and new technologies to improve the prevention, management and treatment of disease.
It will pay for a range of equipment, including imaging devices, mobile research vehicles, ultrasound equipment, and specialist fridges and freezers that are essential for storing samples used in research.
It comes as the latest NIHR data shows that almost one million people in England took part in NIHR research in 2022/23 - up 220,000 on pre-pandemic levels. This is equivalent to more than 100 people every hour, and is enough to fill Wembley Stadium over 10 and a half times.
Almost 5,000 (4,971) studies were delivered and supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network in England alone.
"... bolster vital health and care research"
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: "From Devon to Liverpool, we're giving NHS organisations over £96 million to bolster vital health and care research.
"Scientists and medical experts will be able to purchase cutting-edge equipment, like mobile CT scanners, imaging devices and ultrasound equipment to help their ground breaking work in the prevention, treatment and management of disease.
"The NHS and its staff have now served us for nearly 75 years and as we celebrate that achievement we want to make sure the health service is leading the way. This investment will also help the NHS continue to cut waiting lists – one of the government’s top five priorities."
This funding call will be the first of a series of NIHR calls for capital investment, with an emphasis on extending the reach of research into communities to improve access to cutting-edge clinical trials.
The 93 organisations awarded funding are all part of the NIHR’s wider infrastructure, which includes Biomedical Research Centres and Clinical Research Facilities, as well as NIHR’s Clinical Research Network.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR said: "The best health and care research requires a number of important elements to come together: world-class researchers, cutting-edge facilities and the generous participation of the public.
"As we celebrate 75 years of our amazing NHS, today’s announcement reminds us that all three elements are firmly in place in this country, and that the UK as a whole remains one of the best places in the world to undertake clinical trials.
"We are so grateful for the continuing support of the many people who take part in research to help shape our future health and care. Thank you to everyone who has done so this year, and I hope even more people will be part of research in the future."