Academics at the University of Winchester learned about the huge breadth of research opportunities in the field of healthcare at special event run with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Amanda Pattie, Study Support Manager for Wider Settings, NIHR Research Delivery Network South Central, spoke about the variety of areas open to research – many of which are outside hospitals, in community, residential and primary care settings.
She explained that the NIHR has forged strong links with pharmacies, dentists, local authorities, academics, voluntary organisations, charities, care homes, GPs, hospices and prisons.
Some of these sectors had been under-represented in research and the government wants to widen the field of healthcare research as part of its 10-year health plan, added Amanda.
“There are lots of benefits of undertaking research in wider settings,” said Amanda. “You will improve the quality of life for those concerned and you capture valuable insights and hear the voices of people who may not be heard elsewhere.”
Amanda said that the NIHR not only funded research but could also help academics plan and design projects alongside other NIHR organisations such as the Research Support Service to maximise their eligibility for funding opportunities.
The Research Delivery Network can support applications for the NIHR portfolio adoption and also enable the researcher to request the Agile Research Delivery Team's help with screening, taking consent from participants, recruitment to studies, data management and follow-up.
She urged academics to come early to the NIHR with their proposals. “We are happy to have a conversation even if a research project is only at the idea stage. This is the key stage where we can help shape the study to make sure it works on the ground.”
Recent research topics included:
The NIHR’s networks of contacts in the healthcare sector and beyond is a valuable resource which has been boosted recently by its ‘Be Part of Research’ campaign which has seen more than 500,000 people register their willingness to be part of a research study.
The event was organised by Dr Rachel Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, who has a dual role with the NIHR as an Impact Advisory Board Member (Social Care) and Residential Settings and Speciality Lead for Social Care.
Rachel said: “This new collaboration with the NIHR Research Delivery Network is a significant step forward for the University of Winchester. It will allow us to drive innovative health and care research that directly addresses the needs of our local communities."
Pictured top (left to right): Dr Rachel Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care; Jennifer Crowdy, Technology Enhanced Learning Trainer and Developer; Amanda Pattie, NIHR Study Support Manager for Wider Settings; Elizabeth Ward-Davies, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing; and Hazel Brown, Associate Dean.
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