Thread by @DrRichardBerks, I'm tuning into this webinar about the impact of COVD19 on the [...]

I& #39;m tuning into this webinar about the impact of COVD19 on the medical research charity sector.
Fascinating discussion so far about how the bioscience industry is getting involved in tackling COVID19. #BIAWebinar @AMRC https://twitter.com/BIA_UK/status/1250726339637846017">https://twitter.com/BIA_UK/st...

https://twitter.com/BIA_UK/status/1250726339637846017

Stephen Simpson from @VersusArthritis notices severe impact of COVID19 in three ways - the organisation, the people they serve, and their researchers.

People affected by arthritis in particular are noticing a lack of information and an interruption to their care.
#BIAwebinar

Much of the research they fund has been stood down. It& #39;ll take a long time after restrictions have lifted to get it back up and running.
#BIAwebinar

Stephen runs through how the services they provide have switched to being online - he finds it astonishing how an organisation of their size can adapt in this way.
#BIAwebinar

COVID19 is affecting charities in different ways, even giant charities like @CR_UK are being affected. Stephen believes there will be a longterm impact on research, incl charity-funded research, but it& #39;s hard to know exactly how.
#BIAwebinar

Stephen acknowledges the challenge of helping people who aren& #39;t able to access help online. Even the phone helpline is advertised through online channels. How do they reach vulnerable people? Something the charity is continuing to work on.
#BIAwebinar

Sine Littlewood coordinates a group in @NIHRresearch that works with charities. The wider NIHR has been involved in prioritising clinical trials for ways to tackle COVID19, and matching up with funding if needed.
#BIAwebinar

27 studies have been approved by this route so far, a mixture of pre-clinical, interventional, and observation studies.
The studies being submitted range from "just an idea" to a fully-formed & #39;oven-ready& #39; protocol, ready to go.
#BIAwebinar

@Aisling68242736 from @AMRC reminds people that medical research charities contributed £1.9 BILLION into research last year - a crucial part of the research ecosystem in the UK.

#BIAwebinar

Several charities are furloughing their staff (between a third and two-thirds), and some smaller charities are effectively mothballing, without knowing whether they& #39;ll be starting again in the future.

#BIAwebinar

. @Aisling68242736 believes that the £750m charity support announced by the chancellor will not benefit many medical research charities, as many of them are not providing the kind of front-line services that are prioritised with the package.
#BIAwebinar

. @AMRC is helping members by providing guidance on their & #39;live blog& #39;, advocating on behalf of its members by gathering evidence on the impact and shouting loud about how its members are helping the response to COVID19, in many different ways.

#BIAwebinar

medical charities are under signficant pressure trying to support vulnerable people with longterm health conditions, AND the efforts against the pandemic - all while fundraising is declining and staff are being furloughed. It& #39;s a perfect storm, says @Aisling68242736
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