APPENDIX 14
Memorandum submitted by the British Association
for Cancer Research
— There has been a generally positive
response from researchers to the research elements of the NHS
Cancer Plan, although it is too soon to comment on the funding
and delivery of these components of the plan. It has also been
stressed that health is a devolved power and the Scottish Executive's
Cancer Plan lags behind that of the NHS in planning, execution
and resource allocation, with research in particular appearing
to be a lower and less defined priority in Scotland than in England
and Wales.
— Progress in developing the National
Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) has been pleasing. The Administrative
Director, Dr Liam O'Toole, has been diligent and has made a very
good start in consulting researchers around the UK. The fact that
NCRI has set up a database, is establishing progress review groups
and is intending to examine the problems of clinical academic
careers is welcomed. Concern has, however, been expressed by our
University-based members that their potential contribution may
be under-valued. Because of the breadth of basic research that
can be provided in Universities they need to be brought into partnership
with the cancer research institutes and the hospitals. This should
be recognised in NCRI's plans.
— There is concern that UK research
and its international standing will be impaired by the effect
of data protection legislation on cancer registration. The same
applies to the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of
human tissues in research but it is hoped that these constraints
will only have a temporary negative impact on research.
— The Cancer Research Networks and
the funding allocated to them is welcomed but, again, it is pointed
out that, although NCRI operates throughout the UK, the National
Cancer Research Network (NCRN) and National Translational Cancer
Research Network (NTRAC) only apply to England. The Scottish Cancer
Therapy Network is at present a pale shadow of NCRN and there
is no Scottish equivalent of NTRAC, causing concern to researchers
based in Scotland, who fear that more attractive research opportunities
south of the Border will erode traditional research strengths
with knock-on adverse impacts on training and service delivery.
They are further concerned by the fact that your inquiry will
be speaking to Mike Richards but not to his Scottish counterpart.
As one respondent put it: "the fact that there does not seem
to be a coherent UK-wide cancer research strategy with vision,
but a number of fragmented bodies, continues to make the UK cancer
research community over-reliant on the cancer charities".
To raise one other point, paragraphs 144 and
154 of "Cancer Research—A Fresh Look" recommend
establishing 12 large centres of cancer research excellence. This
recommendation does not seem to be on the agenda of current initiatives.
Professor John A Wyke
Chairman, British Association for Cancer Research
4 December 2001
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