Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University and Chair of the Russell Group, is part of a coordinated effort, following a landmark summit convened by the Academy of Medical Sciences, to address what experts describe as a threat to both patient care and the UK’s economic future.

Clinical academics are NHS doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who split their time between treating patients and conducting research to find better ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases. Unlike researchers who work solely in labs, or clinicians who focus only on patient care, clinical academics bridge both worlds – using their direct experience of patient needs to guide research priorities, and bringing the latest scientific discoveries straight to the bedside.

They are a vital link that ensures medical breakthroughs reach patients, turning lab discoveries into treatments that save lives. Beyond patient benefits, medical research generates a 25p annual return on every £1 invested, whilst clinical academics attract inward investment and lead to spinout companies.

The coordinated effort, backed by a statement signed by leaders from UK universities, research funders, industry partners, the NHS and UK Government, addresses what experts describe as a threat to both patient care and the UK’s economic future.

This initiative builds on recommendations from major reports commissioned by the Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research (OSCHR), chaired by Professor Patrick Chinnery FMedSci, CEO of the Medical Research Council (MRC), which identified the urgent need for action to address the decline in permanent clinical academic posts. The statement directly supports ambitions set out in the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan published in the summer.

It comes as data reveals a 6% decline in medically-qualified researchers since 2012, with senior lecturer positions falling by 24%, whilst NHS consultant numbers have risen by over 50%. The situation is set to worsen, with a growing proportion of senior academics nearing retirement whilst early-career entrants continue to decline. The widening gap threatens the UK’s capacity to develop new treatments and maintain its position as a global leader in health research.

Increase permanent clinical academic posts

The statement of ambition and intent seeks to address the OSCHR reports’ recommendation to increase the number of permanent clinical academic posts, year-on-year. It declares that “despite the financial challenges facing research organisations, we can evidence many recent examples where partnerships have been successful, creative and maximised the potential for investment”.

Signatories from organisations including the MRC, Wellcome, Cancer Research UK, the Government’s Department of Health and Social Care as well as Russell Group universities warn that the decline will threaten both the discovery of new treatments and the quality of patient care.

The statement recognises this as “a shared, UK-wide endeavour” requiring the co-design of schemes and funding partnerships across academia, industry, the NHS and funders.

The signatories have committed to five actions:

1. Demonstrating the value of the clinical academic workforce and advocating for new posts, working with patients and the public to raise awareness of opportunities and benefits.
2. Prioritising funding for new clinical academic posts of strategic importance to local partnerships and the wider research community, with universities and NHS trusts using local strategies to prioritise bids.
3. Adopting a bold, mission-mindset within organisations, with senior leaders championing clinical research as central to care delivery rather than an optional addition.
4. Developing and promoting local investment and partnership opportunities across academia, industry, funders and the NHS.
5. Addressing specific challenges faced by underrepresented groups, including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, ethnic minorities and women.

Threat to the future of patient care

Professor Rosalind Smyth CBE, Vice President (Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: "The decline in clinical academic numbers represents a genuine threat to both patient care and the UK's research leadership. However, there has been a strong and coordinated response to this threat from across the health and research sectors, at national and local level, across the UK. The OSCHR reports provided a clear roadmap, and this statement shows that if we act with urgency and a shared commitment, we can reverse this trend. We want to improve the health of the nation and ensure that the NHS can meet future healthcare challenges through research and innovation."

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University said: "The decline in clinical academic numbers is not just a challenge for our universities - it is a national concern that threatens the future of patient care and the UK’s standing in global health research. The united response from leaders across academia, government, industry, and the NHS reflects the seriousness of this issue and our shared determination to address it. We must act decisively to support clinical researchers at every stage of their careers, ensuring that the UK remains a world leader in medical innovation and that our healthcare system is equipped to meet the demands of tomorrow."

Rachel McKendry, Executive Director of Discovery at Wellcome, said: “Clinical researchers are uniquely important, providing a link between innovative discovery science and patient care. At Wellcome, we’re proud to support healthcare professionals seeking to pursue clinical research, and by providing long-term funding for people earlier in their careers. 

“We’re keen to continue working with partners to proactively address the concerning decline in clinical academics. By acting now, we can advance discoveries that will meaningfully improve people’s lives.”