DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 7 October 2008
The Government
Office for Science review published today commends the Department
of Health on good practice in the way it commissions, manages and
uses science. The report highlighted examples of good practice
including the 'Best Research for Best Health' strategy
in setting direction for NHS research and development, the role of
the Policy Liaison Officers in the Policy Research Programme to
support evidence based policy, and the role of the Scientific
Advisory Committees in providing advice.
However, the GO-Science Review also found that given the
importance of science to the Department of Health policies there
could be more consistency in the effective management of science,
joint working (both across disciplines and with stakeholder
groups), developing mechanisms to share and manage knowledge
effectively, and the use of external scientific advice and expertise.
A key element in achieving this will be the Department's
ability to ensure that it monitors and retains sufficient levels
of experienced scientists, clinicians and analysts who are able to
communicate and commission the science required and to understand
and interpret science policy issues.
The review also recommended the establishment of an independent
scientific advisory council, similar to that already in existence
in departments such as the Home Office, Defra and the Ministry of
Defence. A Scientific Advisory Council would provide independent
challenge function and advice to support the Chief Scientific
Adviser, with oversight on the strategic direction of science
sponsored by the Department.
The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John
Beddington, said: "The Department is taking action and making
progress to ensure that all relevant science and evidence is
considered in informing strategic departmental decisions. The
planned update of the Department's science strategy will be
key to further improving the use of science across the Department
and the agencies it sponsors."
To achieve this, the report recommended attention should focus on
continuing to map out the role of science and evidence in
achieving the corporate goals; horizon scan to prepare the
challenges and opportunities in the future; understand the root
causes of problems; commission short and long term research to
fill the gaps; and use the full evidence base effectively in
determining strategy. Decisions on the appropriate balance of
science effort among clinical care, public health and social care
sectors - taking account of consequential impact on other
Departmental priorities - will be critical, the report found.
Professor Beddington added:
"An independent science advisory council would be a
valuable addition to the Department of Health. As a Department it
has an extremely broad remit and therefore requires a range of
advice across many scientific disciplines. Any new advisory
council should have diverse membership and make the most of
individual members' expertise."
The Government Office for Science carries out Science Reviews to
assure the quality, management and use of science by individual
Government Departments. They inform and support the Government
Chief Scientific Adviser in his role of advising the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet on the overall health of science and
scientific research funded by Government Departments.
ENDS Notes for Editors
1. Within the wide range of
scientific work of the Department of Health, the focus of the
GO-Science Review was on the Department's management and use
of science in policy development and implementation on healthcare,
adult social care and public health. The use of science and
innovation in the healthcare or social care services was not
covered by the review.
2. This review is the sixth GO-Science Review and was carried out
between July 2007 and June 2008. The first Science Review, of the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport, was published in October
2004. Subsequently, the Review of the Department for the
Environment Food and Rural Affairs was published in December 2006;
the Review of the Health and Safety Executive was published in
February 2007; the review of Communities and Local Government was
published in March 2007; and the review of the Home Office and
Ministry of Justice was published in December 2008. A review of
the Food Standards Agency is underway and due to report in the autumn.
3. A copy of the full report is available at: http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/dh_sciencereview.pdf
For media enquiries, contact DIUS press office on 0203 300
8099
ENDS