Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to increase NHS staff’s access to protected time for research.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has written to the Secretary of State with the findings of its inquiry into clinical academics in the National Health Service. The Government will respond to the Committee’s recommendations in due course, including plans for how NHS Trusts and hospitals will meet the statutory commitment to allow consultants to spend an average of 25% of their time on supporting professional activities. Work is ongoing to deliver the Vision for the Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery which is aiming to create a research positive culture across the NHS and a plan to develop a sustainable and supported research workforce for all healthcare and research staff from all professional backgrounds.