The MRC is investing £9.7 million to fund 10 regional partnerships called Regional Accounts for Clinical Research (RACR), bringing together more than 50 research organisations and over 60 NHS organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as part of a four-year pilot. 

The MRC South-West London Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (RACR) consortium is a partnership of universities, research institutions and local NHS trusts. Alongside the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS), the South-West London RACR includes: 

• Brunel University
• City St George’s University of London
• University of Surrey
• Institute of Cancer Research
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• Imperial College London
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
• Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
• Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
• St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group
• Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
• Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
• West London NHS Trust

Why clinical researchers matter 

Clinical researchers bridge the gap between scientific discovery and better patient care, connecting academia, the NHS and industry. 

Hospitals involved in research deliver better patient outcomes, adopt innovation more quickly and create environments that attract and retain skilled staff. 

Supporting clinicians to undertake research alongside their clinical roles is essential to maintaining an innovative, evidence‑led NHS and driving the development of new treatments. 

Challenges facing clinical researchers 

Many clinicians face barriers to starting and sustaining research careers. 

The Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research report Clinical researchers in the United Kingdom: Reversing the decline to improve population health and promote economic growth highlighted a long‑term decline in the clinical research workforce and identified several challenges, including pressures on time and funding, and access to mentorship and training. 

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council, said: “Clinicians play a vital role in turning discovery research into better treatments for patients, but too many face barriers to sustaining research alongside demanding clinical roles.These challenges vary across the UK, which is why a regional approach is so important to building strong partnerships between universities and NHS trusts. Through Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers, we are investing in locally led solutions that support clinicians at critical points in their careers, strengthen research environments, and help improve patient outcomes while accelerating life sciences innovation to support economic growth and a stronger NHS.” 

Supporting more clinicians into research at the LMS 

Here at the LMS, we value the important role clinician scientists play in advancing medical research.  

The LMS Chain Florey programme was set up in 2009 to offer world-class training to medical graduates, allowing them to develop essential research skills at key stages of their career. The programme has supported many clinicians to combine their medical knowledge with a new-found expertise in scientific research.  

The MRC South-West London RACR will build on our work to strengthen clinical research capacity by providing more support such as protected research time, mentoring and skills development. 

Insights from the programme will inform future approaches to strengthening the UK’s clinical research workforce and ensuring that research continues to benefit patients and the NHS nationwide.