How has the Welsh Government assisted in enabling Cancer Research Wales to effectively cooperate with other research bodies in the UK?
Cancer Research Wales is an independent charity and funder of research. It is a member of the Welsh Cancer Alliance and thus works collaboratively with other cancer charities in Wales. In recent years, its support for and membership of the National Cancer Research Institute has, as with ourselves, provided a strong forum for engagement with cancer research funders from across the UK, including the four government health departments, the research councils and a broad range of charitable research funders. I recognise that the winding down of the NCRI creates potential challenges for ongoing collaboration, but hope that Cancer Research Wales will benefit from the relationships it has established as a member of NCRI.
The development of the Cancer Research Strategy (CReSt) around priority themes and areas of Welsh research strength provides a platform and direction for cancer research in Wales around which all elements of the cancer research community can rally and to which all research funders can subscribe. The delivery of CReSt requires partnership and I encourage all funders of cancer research in Wales to continue to play their part in supporting CReSt implementation.