Time for action: a research taskforce to accelerate research delivery and participation in UK gastroenterology and hepatology

Objective There are significant and complex challenges impacting the successful delivery of gastroenterology/hepatology research in the UK. These limit participation, impede progress and reduce opportunities to develop the next generation of research leaders. To mitigate these challenges, research needs to be designed, funded and championed with greater recognition of the realities of the healthcare system it will be delivered in. Achieving this aim of realistic research requires coordinated collective effort of the gastroenterology/hepatology community. Design/method The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Research Committee, the British Association for Study of the Liver Research Development Group-BSG Liver Clinical Research Group and the Gastroenterology and Hepatology National Specialty Group for the National Institute of Health and Care Research Delivery Network have convened a multidisciplinary research delivery taskforce, which will focus on identifying practical barriers and implementing solutions to accelerate UK research delivery and participation. Results Five pillars have been identified to frame taskforce activities, comprising: workforce development for gastroenterology/hepatology, realistic research, realistic funding, valuing research and improved infrastructure. Six immediate actions have been identified to be taken now to address the key barriers to research delivery and increase capacity and capability. These include both system-level changes to improve feasibility and capacity and supportive measures to strengthen engagement and enable participation across the multidisciplinary workforce. A set of metrics will evaluate progress. Conclusion Realistic research is critical to securing a strong academic future for our specialty. The Research Delivery Taskforce has been created to drive forward this vision.