Medical charities call for help to weather downturn

Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 03:21 in Mathematics & Economics

• Ministers urged to extend research support fund• Studies into less common illnesses often worst-hitMedical research charities demanded government help to survive the recession, amid warnings that new treatments for serious illnesses could fall victim to their dwindling income.A survey showed 77% of the charities fear the downturn will significantly affect their work, the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) said.Some plan to reduce their research spending by between 10% and 40% to help them cope, found the AMRC, which represents 117 health organisations.The smaller charities, including those conducting research into less common illnesses, are particularly badly hit, said Simon Denegri, the AMRC's chief executive. He urged ministers to extend the life of the charity research support fund, which helps cover the cost of the infrastructure at universities and hospitals needed to support research projects. The government puts £195m a year into it, but the scheme is due to expire...

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