TASC's strategy

TASC was established in 2010 to combine the established research strengths of the University of Dundee, (UoD) and NHS Tayside, (NHST) and to catalyse the design and delivery of clinical Research in a safe and effective manner. TASC is a core part of the NHS Research Scotland, (NRS) and its clinical research infrastructure.

NRS supports clinical research through partnership working between the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government Health Directorate and Scottish Health Boards. NRS works with Scottish Universities and other organisations to ensure that Scotland provides a highly supportive environment for clinical research.

A key role of TASC is to lead NRS activity in the East node and to provide the structures and governance that will facilitate clinical research for all health and social care Professionals. TASC also aims to promote a strong culture of high quality research within the wider NHS and academic communities.

...As we look to the future, we must use these lessons from COVID-19 as a springboard to build back better. Because we stand  at an inflection point for global healthcare. Driven by data and analytics, cutting-edge technologies and treatments, including  precision medicines and artificial intelligence, are transforming the way we treat patients… Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery (23 March 2021).  

We are in the process of emerging from the pandemic and adjusting to the new modes of delivery of Health and Social Care (H&SC) research. There has been a great deal of useful learning over the last 20 months which will inform our future objectives and actions. We need also to recognise that the H&SC landscape which existed prior to the pandemic remains largely unaltered and in many ways prior challenges have been amplified due to the pandemic. The twin challenges of Covid-19 and chronic disease will drive research and innovation.

Vision, values, mission

Our mission and values

TASC's role is to facilitate trusted, high quality and innovative clinical research to improve the health outcomes of the people of Tayside and beyond.  This mission is guided by 4 key values:

• Quality: we aim for excellence in all that we do
• Integrity: having a culture of transparency, trust and accountability
• Valuing People: treat everyone with dignity and respecting diversity
• Working together: working and communicating openly and as one team

Our vision

Our strategy follows the themes outlined on the 'Saving and Improving Lives' report. Our aim is to tailor these to reflect local strengths and capabilities and to ensure that it we play an integral role in the development of Scotland as a preferred location for health and social care research.

• Clinical research delivery embedded in NHS
• Patient-centered research
• Streamlined, efficient and innovative clinical research
• Research delivery enabled by data & digital tools
• A sustainable & supported research delivery workforce

This document has been produced to outline the strategic objectives and commitments for the Tayside Medical Science Centre (TASC) for the 5 year period from 2022 until 2027. The Implementation plan aims to assist in allocating resources and reviewing the impact of TASC in supporting Chief Scientist Office and Scottish Government priorities for Health and Social Care (H&SC) research. TASC’s strategy is closely aligned with the vision and themes for clinical research delivery as set out in the four nations report of 23 March 2021 ‘Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery’. We would like to thank TASC staff for input into this document. We would also like to acknowledge Mrs Jillian Strachan for documentation support.

Professor Jacob George NHS Tayside R&D Director

Mr Graeme Boyle Senior R&D Manager

December 2021