Funding for Health Innovation Wessex to help turn research to reality

Health Innovation Wessex will be playing a key role alongside Wessex Applied Research Collaborative (ARC), getting the best clinical studies to the right people at the right time to maximise their impact.

ARC Wessex is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and has secured three years of additional funding from the institute, with HIW also taking part in this Knowledge Mobilisation initiative.

The funding will support a significant effort to reduce the time it takes to roll out effective interventions, policies and models of care, and maximise the impact of research.

The programme will initially focus on two areas, mental health and community and domiciliary care. 

HIW staff will help connect and engage those who are instrumental to this work reaching the right people for improving services. 

Similar work is being carried out in other regions of England and collaboration between them to gain the best possible value from common areas of research is a critical aspect of the initiative.

HIW’s Director of Insight, Philippa Darnton, who is also Implementation Lead for ARC Wessex, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital national effort to ensure the best of the vast wealth of research in the fields of community services and mental health reaches the people who can benefit most.”

The knowledge mobilisation project complements the core work carried out by HIW, bringing together innovators, academics and health care professionals to improve health and care through the adoption of innovation in the NHS.

Professor Alison Richardson, Director of NIHR ARC Wessex, said: “We are really pleased to be able to take forward this new programme where we can put our research at the very heart of the health and care system in Wessex. This will bring to bear the strength of our applied research right where it is needed, and with the people who need it.”

The NIHR has aimed to maximise the impact of research and reduce the amount of time it takes to implement any policies, care models and interventions that are likely to improve health outcomes.

There is more information on the ARC Wessex knowledge mobilisation initiative on its website.