The government has announced an £800 million investment in health research over the next five years today, including £18 million for dementia research.
The research will be carried out through NHS and university partnerships, managed by the National Institute for Health Research, including collaboration with industry and charities.
The thirty one awards include funding for four new Biomedical Research Units which specialise in dementia research.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:
“We want to ensure we can give NHS patients the very best possible treatments and health outcomes. To do this we need to give British scientists the means and tools to develop ground breaking world class health research.
That’s why, as part of our £4 billion investment in Research and Development, we have committed £800 million for translational research – developing exciting new science into tangible, effective treatments that can be used across the NHS. This will help deliver real improvements in patients’ chances of surviving and living a more independent, healthier and better quality of life.
Dementia research also features strongly in the programme of funding announced today. Dementia is one of the most important issues that we face as our population ages. We know it can have a devastating effect on peoples’ lives so it is essential that we develop new treatments to help NHS patients and their families.”