Cross posted from Nature’s The Great Beyond blog.
The UK’s bonfire of the quangos continued today, as the coalition government lined up a selection of health-related agencies for termination. Rising from the ashes may be a new super-regulator for research as the government has pledged a “radical simplification” of medical research.
Overall, the Department of Health is to reduce the number of its so-called arm’s length bodies from the current 18 down to around nine as part of the government’s aim is to shave over 45% from the administrative cost of the National Health Service.
Among the casualties is the Health Protection Agency, which provides scientific advice to government, doctors and the public about infectious diseases. Its work will be transferred to the Secretary of State for Health.