“Big things are ahead”: Celebrating achievements in research delivery at Support and Delivery Day 2025

Research staff from across Wales came together to celebrate their achievements, share best practices and hear about national priorities at the Health and Care Research Wales Support and Delivery Day 2025.

More than 250 delegates from across Wales gathered at Cardiff City Stadium on July 8 for the event themed ‘Driving change for research excellence’.

This marked the sixth Support and Delivery Day and the varied programme included keynote sessions, TED-style talks and workshops from embedding research in the Welsh Ambulance Service, improving healthcare in rural areas to adolescent wellbeing and mental health.

Dr Nicola Williams, National Director of Support and Delivery, Health and Care Research Wales, welcomed delegates to the conference and said: “From hospital wards to GP surgeries, from university hubs to home office hubs – you are the reason research reaches people in Wales. 

“You are the reason we can test new treatments, improve care, and give people real hope for better futures.”

Dr Williams also reflected on Wales’ reputation in research adding: “Over recent years, we’ve not only delivered at pace and under pressure – we’ve also led the way.

“In the UK, Wales is being recognised for the way we’ve innovated in delivery,” citing the ongoing development of One Wales, integrating research infrastructures and coordinating delivery across boundaries. 

Dr Christopher Scrase, Clinical Lead for the Research and Innovation Workstream NHS Wales Executive, gave the keynote speech on ‘Research in healthcare: why it matters’.

It highlighted how he had been personally inspired to undertake research - changing his career trajectory in the process. 

Dr Scrase cited the developments in radiotherapy over the last 130 years as a prime example of how research can change and improve people’s lives and said: “It’s a bit of a no-brainer that organisations have got to be involved in research at every level.”

Throughout the day, there were also presentations from research support and delivery colleagues on research excellence, innovation in research delivery, making time for research and commercial research - along with workshops and posters. 

Jayne Goodwin, National Head of Research Delivery NMAHPs at Health and Care Research, spoke about the publication of the strategic action plan to boost research by nurses, midwives and allied health professions in Wales, commissioned by the Welsh Government and launched in June.    

Alex Newberry, Head of Research Involvement, Governance & Informatics Welsh Government made a presentation on ‘Using confidential health data to invite people to participate in research: A public dialogue to inform UK policy’.

In looking to the future, Dr Williams said “big things are ahead” including investment in commercial research which has the potential to “put Wales on the map” by attracting global sponsors, enabling early access to innovative treatments and leading to benefits for patients across Wales. 

Dr Nicola Williams added: “Help us shape a delivery system that reflects the future we want. Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’re about to do.”

Catch up on presentations you missed by reading the slides on the event page.

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