One of the UKCRC’s long-term aims is to
increase the research capacity of the NHS by developing an expert
workforce to support all aspects of clinical research.
In order to do this it is important to develop
clear, flexible and integrated training and career structures to
encourage more doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals
to pursue a career in clinical research.
This work is being carried out in a step-wise
manner. The first phase was to develop a new career pathway for
doctors and dentists, and a similar
process for nurses is now
underway.
The new Clinical Research Networks
that have been established are also increasing research capacity by
training and employing more staff in the NHS dedicated to
research.