| Dear Voornaam, Cancer Research UK is closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus pandemic and guidance from government bodies. Our panels and committees involve people who work internationally and with vulnerable communities, and safeguarding their health is our priority.
Recent rapid developments have made it increasingly difficult for people to attend meetings. In addition, many of our clinical members are rightly cautious about limiting risk for themselves and their patients, especially as their priorities shift towards responding to developments in the healthcare system.
This is also a major financial crisis and it is sensible for us to consider and understand what the short to mid-term implications will be for CRUK, which are likely to be material.
For these reasons, CRUK has made the difficult decision to defer all our panels and committees. All applications submitted for the current funding round will be considered in the autumn. Where an application has been made for the renewal of an existing grant, bridge-funding will be provided. Please visit our website for further information.
Where there are additional considerations that we need to discuss with you, a member of the CRUK research team will be in touch in due course.
We plan to open for applications to the autumn funding round as normal, but this is a rapidly developing situation and we will communicate any changes as soon as we can.
As the situation progresses we are aware that clinical academics may be seconded back to the NHS from their academic work to support front line service delivery. CRUK will fully support this request; the urgent patient care comes first and trainees can return to clinical practice if required. The exceptions would be in those situations where there would be a duty of care for cancer patients on certain clinical trials. Such decisions must be made locally.
Thank you for your understanding as we get through this global crisis.
Iain Foulkes
Executive Director, Research & Innovation
Cancer Research UK |
