Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides to NHS bodies regarding engagement with external academic publications that discuss practices which are illegal under UK law.

In the United Kingdom, regulated healthcare professionals are required by law to maintain standards in competence, ethics, patient safety, and accountability. Failure to meet these standards can result in investigation, restrictions, suspension, or permanent removal from the register. Responsible employment practices are an important element in ensuring all those working in the research and innovation system can thrive and deliver high quality research.

Researchers funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and other publicly funded sources are expected to comply with the highest standards of research ethics and integrity, including responsible publication practices. Both UKRI and NIHR are signatories to the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

The NIHR's support for the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment aligns with its dedication to research integrity, transparency, and fostering a culture where research excellence is measured in a more holistic and meaningful way.