Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing NHS staff to take research breaks and then to return to clinical work.

No specific assessment has been made. However, there is evidence that combining research with clinical practice increases job satisfaction, enhances recruitment and retention and can be used as a mechanism to avoid burnout. It also increases research awareness and provides dedicated time across the workforce to drive best practice and evidence-based care.