Research and Development

In 2008 the Charity's Trustees approved a new research strategy as part of its five year Strategic Direction. This recognises the significant achievements of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in gaining Biomedical Research Centre (BRCs) status, in collaboration with King’s College London. They also recognise the need to build local research capacity through the provision of infrastructure funding.

Since 2006 the Charity, in line with its research strategy, has supported the development of the two local BRCs by:

Investing in the development Clinical Research Facilities at both Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals.
Investing £1.7m in translational research and development projects and fellowships in 2007/2008.
Allocating up to £2.5m per year between 2008/2011 in translational research and development projects and fellowships.
Co-investing, with the Medical Research Council in a local Research Translator, employed by King’s College London.

The research strategy also recognises the importance of supporting local research and infrastructure. To this end the Charity:

Invested £8.3m in increasing local research capacity between 2005/2008 through the creation of a Local Strategic R&D Infrastructure Fund.
Has allocated £8m between 2008/2011 in a further Local Strategic R&D Infrastructure Fund programme.