Cochrane UK sadly will be closing at the end of March 2024.
An announcement on their website states that this is due to the end of NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) funding.
About Cochrane UK
The group based in Oxford UK is a part of the larger Cochrane organisation so the rest of the worldwide operations will continue. There are now over 130 groups internationally.
Thankfully the Living Review of E-cigarettes for Smoking Cessation programme will continue as this is funded by Cancer Research UK. This is regularly updated as new information and studies appear.
Also this means the “Let’s Talk E-cigarettes” podcast will be able to continue which is created by a team of Oxford University researchers.
The international Cochrane organisation works to support the production, dissemination and use of evidence to guide decision making in health care.
We have written many times about their influential research particularly on vaping and smoking and how they concentrate on the facts – whilst avoiding politics and opinion.
Cochrane UK were the first Cochrane centre and offered training and events (including 4 Colloquia in Oxford, Edinburgh, Dublin and London).
The Colloquium in London will still be taking place at the QEII centre from 4th-6th September 2023 and there will be satellite events held on the 3rd. For more details click here.
In a statement from Cochrane, Catherine Spencer the Chief Executive said…
Cochrane UK has been at the forefront of Cochrane throughout its 30 year history and was our first geographic group. Cochrane UK has made an extraordinary contribution to evidence-based health and care, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible team in Oxford – past and present – for all they have done.
“As we look to the future, there is an exciting opportunity for a new institution to host Cochrane UK and help more people to benefit from health and care evidence. We will be reviewing what is needed in the UK before we begin a selection process. But I would encourage anyone interested in hosting Cochrane UK at their institution to get in touch with me in the meantime.”
The team at Cochrane UK will continue with their current projects until the end of the contract. This will not affect the rest of the organisation – just the UK base.
Fingers crossed a new source of funding will be found to allow more of this science led research to continue!
I would like to thank them all for their hard work and for not being prejudiced against vaping!