A report published by Health and Care Research Wales reveals the impact of research for patients living with conditions such as Huntington’s, post traumatic stress disorder and breast cancer as a result of major collaborations in Wales.

The report, Making a difference: The impact of health and social care research in Wales, also highlight the progress made for cardiac patients in critical care, as well as the role Welsh researchers continue to play in the search for treatments and a vaccine for Covid-19.

These include the Oxford University led vaccine trial, a study using the antibodies of recovered patients, and a genomic study to help scientists understand whether a person’s genetics may influence their susceptibility to coronavirus.

The UK wide RECOVERY trial, which is taking place in hospitals across Wales, has also released preliminary results showing that the low cost drug dexamethasone reduces death by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of Covid-19.

A second report shows the economic impact and value generated through health research during 2018/19.

The independent KPMG study (technical appendix only), which was commissioned by Health and Care Research Wales in 2019, indicates that the economic contribution of health research activity supported by NHS organisations in Wales was an estimated £93m in GVA, with approximately one thousand six hundred jobs created by NHS organisations.

The report also notes particular attributes of the Welsh research environment which differentiate it from the other countries of the UK and make Wales an attractive location to undertake research.

MediWales reports both reports were published on October 7th, the day of Health and Care Research Wales’ first digital annual conference. The conference included delegates from the international research community as well as those leading the way in tackling cancer, heart disease and dementia in Wales.

Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of Health and Care Research Wales, said “Both the reports being published today really demonstrate why research matters and now more than ever, the world depends on the endeavours of researchers to find better treatments and vaccines to save lives.

“Often the research done here in Wales bears dividends for the whole of the UK, and internationally. We can be very proud of that – while at the same time recognising that our health and care system in Wales needs to be making good use not just of research done here in Wales but of the UK and international research effort.

“Fundamentally, I think people who have spent their careers in health research do it because they want to make a difference. They want their ideas, their research, and their endeavour to end up improving the lives of patients, their families and the communities and populations we serve. And these reports show how health and care research can really make a difference.”