MRCG Strategic Document 2015-2016 The Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG) is an umbrella group of medical research and patient support charities that seeks to generate dynamic medical research in Ireland, driving a greater understanding of how illness can be prevented, how it can be diagnosed earlier and treated more effectively with the ultimate goal of improving the nation s health. We believe that a well-functioning medical research infrastructure will ultimately help patients, the health system and the economy. A core belief of the group is that today's health research is tomorrow's healthcare. The implementation of the strategy will provide a challenging work plan for the coming years, but we look forward to meeting this challenge and working to support patients and their families, providing treatments and cures and ultimately minimising illness. Vision The MRCG will provide a sustaining and integrating influence across the medical research community, promoting scientific, clinical and paramedical research. The MRCG believes that patient organisations should lead and stimulate critical medical research needed by patients, and will provide leadership and support to charities in Ireland that are engaged in medical research. Mission The MRCG's mission is to generate a dynamic medical research environment in Ireland. This will be achieved by partnership with external organisations; advocacy to enable change; a forum to promote education and integration; and the provision of direct services to members. 1
Goals The MRCG has identified 4 goals for achieving our mission: Advocate for protection of funding for full spectrum of medical research in Ireland Improve the medical research environment and remove the barriers to medical research in Ireland Increase the profile of the value of medical research in Ireland Provide the services and supports MRCG members require This plan builds on the achievements of the previous MRCG Strategic Plan of 2013-2014. 2
1.0 Strategic Plan 2015-2016 Approach Actions Timeframe 1.1 Advocate for the protection of funding for full spectrum of medical research in Ireland. Ongoing MRCG advocacy work, including all key stakeholders, around medical research funding. Work towards protected funding for full range of medical research and where possible, campaign to increase medical research spend. 3 Provide input into consultation for Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (Version 2) Advocate for restoration of full 1million of MRCG/HRB Joint Funding Scheme. Support members in JFS application process to help maximise success rate of applicants. Identify other novel funding opportunities and/or partnerships for charity funded medical research. Identify funding for commercialisation of charity funded research. Increase membership of MRCG.
Strategic Plan 2015-2016 Approach Actions Timeframe 2.0 Improve the medical research environment and remove the barriers to medical research in Ireland. Ensure medical research remains a priority in the health service and in the relevant policies in Ireland. Improving the Research Environment Working to help shape and influence the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (Version 2) Using The Health Research Landscape in Ireland: What Researchers Say report to continue to advocate for an improved research environment in Ireland. Irish Health Research Forum The IHRF will hold two Forum meetings every year, focusing on matters of relevance to the research community and guided by the outcomes from the MRCG research report. Short documents will be produced on the themes of each Forum and made available on the Forum website. 4
Improving the Legislative Environment and Support Infrastructure for Medical Research Ongoing stakeholder engagement and development of the Forum. Health Information Bill Human Tissue Bill Health Identifiers Act Strategy on Patient Data & Patient Registries Research Ethics Committees Biobanks NCMG Advocate for proper governance and resourcing The need for the implementation the National Plan on Rare Diseases Importance of Clinical Trials. Campaign on the importance of a National Office for Rare Disease. Use Rare Disease Day 2015 as part of the advocacy and communications plan around this. 5
Strategic Plan 2015-2016 Approach Actions Timeframe 3.0 Increase the profile of the value of medical research in Ireland Continued development of relationships with key stakeholders. Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders. Widening our stakeholder base in terms of where research is taking place (hospitals, universities.) MRCG Profiling Activities Strengthening relationships with other appropriate organisations. National PR campaign on importance of research. MRCG Conference for 2015. Improving social media profile of MRCG. Highlighting the economic and social benefits of health research Development of quarterly newsletters. Investigate and publish impacts and outputs of research undertaken by members. 6
Responding to emerging issues. Development of policy papers on a range of relevant issues of pertinence to MRCG. Circulation of relevant news stories. Statements on issues of importance to medical research. 7
Strategic Plan 2015-2016 Approach Actions Timeframe 4.0 Provide the services and supports MRCG members require Continue to provide appropriate and meaningful services to members of the MRCG. Through the working groups, continue to identify member needs and provide appropriate support. Provide workshops on topics of relevance and importance. Continue to promote the benefits and efficacy of a unified voice. Provide relevant tools and templates to members. 8