Clinical Academic Careers

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“Clinical researchers are essential for delivering high quality research and developing the evidence base to drive innovation and improvements in patient care..” (Prof Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser, DHSC)

The decline in the number of clinically qualified staff (Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists) engaging in clinical academic careers is a cause for concern across the NHS, university sector and beyond.

Research-active clinicians are the lifeblood of the Imperial AHSC and are central to delivering its mission. They are therefore a major focus of the AHSC’s strategic priorities. Through the Clinical Academic Training Office (CATO) and a range of externally funded schemes, the AHSC already supports the research training of doctors and NMAHPPs (Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists) from predoctoral through to postdoctoral stages.

Our ambition is to ensure that the AHSC continues to:

  • Support those pursuing clinical academic careers, and
  • Increase the number of NHS clinicians who wish to engage in and support research.

By doing so, we aim to realise the full benefits of research-active care: better outcomes and experiences for patients, and stronger recruitment and retention for our NHS partner organisations where research is embedded in everyday practice.

Looking ahead, the AHSC is developing a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem in North West London for the recruitment, training and retention of clinical academics and academic clinicians, building on the existing CATO offer. Our goal is to: increase the number of opportunities to take part in clinical academic research and grow demand for these opportunities.

This will be achieved through a programme of activities outlined on our projects and programmes page.

Professional development support

Attracting and developing staff across all partners of the AHSC is one of its strategic objectives. The AHSC aims to help scientists, healthcare professionals and other staff from a wide variety of disciplines, professions and backgrounds come together to excel in research and clinical care.

The AHSC provides a range of professional development opportunities for NHS staff.

It has compiled, through the Courses for NHS staff web resource, Imperial College London courses for NHS staff in areas such as digital health, quality improvement, research methods, statistics and healthcare leadership and development. These courses are rooted in the university’s research expertise and will equip NHS staff with the latest skills and techniques to bring further benefits to patients and populations. Either online, blended learning or short courses, these programmes are open to all NHS staff, from doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to managers, technical and support staff. The resource also provides links to more comprehensive listings of Imperial’s courses. 

The Royal Marsden School offers specialist short courses and post graduate opportunities championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education, and leading-edge practice. Courses are firmly embedded within clinical practice and draw upon clinical experts and researchers from across The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.