The long awaited report by Sir David Cooksey on UK healthcare research has proposed a new model of structured coordination between the NHS, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the healthcare industry to ensure more research is translated into tangible benefits for patients.

But the report, commissioned by the chancellor, Gordon Brown, has decided against merging the two main funding bodies, the MRC and the NHS's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Instead the report proposes a central coordinating body, the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research, which will oversee all health research funding, determine strategy, and monitor progress against targets.

In addition, a joint MRC-NIHR Translational Medicine Funding Board will direct money towards …