Partners in health

UK research for the National Health Service will be concentrated in a new form of univer-sity-hospital partnership, in which teaching, research and clinical care are fully integrated, under plans announced by Health Minister Sir Ara Darzi.

Professor Sir Ara that believes academic health sciences centres (AHSCs) are essential if Britain is to remain a leader in applied medical research.

Six criteria will decide if a partnership counts as an AHSC: integrated governance, internationally recognised excellence in research, clear integrated funding streams for research, integrated career paths, joint programmes that combine research and clinical work, and commercial expertise to market research developments.