Chris Green MP co-sponsored a debate in Westminster Hall on the importance of recognising and preserving the unique value of charity-funded medical research to perform life-saving medical research.
Having worked in the pharmaceutical sector as a mass spectrometry engineer before entering politics, the Bolton West and Atherton MP is all too aware of the important work that medical research charities perform in helping to develop the next generation of life-saving medicines.
The impact that lockdown has had directly on health and education is beginning to become clear. Already, there have been five million fewer hospital appointments, tens of millions fewer GP appointments, millions of fewer cancer screening appointments and a dramatic impact on mental health, but the impact on medical research charities has barely been discussed.
The closure of our highstreets and charity shops that are often located on them, along with events such as the Bolton Marathon being cancelled, has led to a significant reduction in the income that research charities depend upon. The huge disruption to our schools and universities means that many children and students will not get the experience, qualifications or understanding that they need to enable them to work in the medical research sector and if things continue as they do, many of the jobs in this sector will no longer be there.
This will have profound consequences for future clinical trials, the discovery of new treatments and drugs for conditions such as cancer and will mean that a lot of research will be delayed by years or even permanently.
During the debate Mr Green said: ‘The consequences of lockdown on this sector will be profound and may take many years, even several years before they are realised. This will not just be limited to the medical advances and treatments that are achieved, but also for those who work in this sector.’
‘That is why I am calling on the Government to take action to support this vital, but often forgotten sector, ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.’
