The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is continuing to do its life-saving cancer research in line with Government guidance on coronavirus while making extensive preparations for disruption ahead.
The health and safety of our staff and students is our top priority and we are following the latest advice for the UK from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England.
We are advising that staff where possible join meetings virtually rather than in person, and making special allowances for those with pre-existing conditions.
We have stopped all work travel to the most affected countries, and otherwise are limiting ourselves only to travel that is crucial for the delivery of our research strategy in order to benefit cancer patients.
The Government's website has a page that provides links to all of the latest information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Minimising the impact on our research
The ICR’s business continuity ‘Gold’ team is meeting on a daily basis to agree guidance for staff and students, and to take decisions around ICR work.
We are not yet advising routine home working for our staff, in line with Government advice, but are preparing for this by ensuring appropriate IT systems are in place.
The ICR also has plans in place to minimise any impact on our research – including protecting our research activities and samples from any shortages in supplies, and ensuring the welfare of all the animals used in our research.
We are working closely with our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden, and other external research partners, to ensure that we are joined up in our approach and are able to take the most effective decisions to protect our people and our research.
'Staff and students are our top priority'
Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of the ICR said: “We know this is a concerning time for all. We are encouraging all of our staff and students at the ICR to support friends and colleagues in following advice, appreciating that many will have their own concerns about friends, family and colleagues.
“Our staff and students are our top priority and we are updating information and guidance daily in line with the latest Government advice. We are also working hard to ensure research continuity – following and building on our existing Pandemic Preparedness Plan to ensure we can protect and deliver our world-class research.
“Our aim is to ensure the safety of our staff and students while continuing to carry out our research to understand and defeat cancer and to translate our discoveries to benefit patients.”
Any further updates will be shared in due course.
Staff and students who need more detailed advice can find it on the ICR’s intranet at nexus.icr.ac.uk, available via your normal work login.