Greater Manchester showcases social care research ambitions to NIHR chief executive

NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester (CRN GM) was delighted to welcome the newly-appointed NIHR Chief Executive, Professor Lucy Chappell, to Manchester. 

Prof Chappell, who is also Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, visited CRN GM’s headquarters at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) on Tuesday 5 October 2021. 

She heard presentations on the Social Care research programmes and delivery models being carried out in the region and had the opportunity to meet representatives from various parts of the Greater Manchester NIHR infrastructure. 

In addition to an overview on CRN GM’s work in this field, Prof Chappell heard from MFT, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (NIHR ARC-GM), the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Trafford Council, and local representatives from the NIHR School for Social Care (NIHR SSCR). 

Themes covered included developing research participant resources for domiciliary care and the NIHR SSCR-funded SECURE study, research for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers, inclusion and increased representation of local communities, and building capacity for research in local authorities. 

Prof Chappell said her visit had provided an excellent overview of the progress being made in developing research opportunities outside of the traditional non-NHS settings and the challenges that everyone was determined to meet in the coming years. 

She added: “I would like to thank CRN Greater Manchester for showing me the vibrant and multidisciplinary group that is committed to social care research in this region. Colleagues showcased the excellence already taking place and were honest about the bumps in the road. 

“It has shown me that there is a thriving community of researchers in Greater Manchester, with Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) woven in, and that we should continue to ensure funding opportunities and support for this area; both ensuring that it is ‘special’ and integrated more fully into all of the NIHR work.”

Sarah Fallon, Chief Operating Officer at NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester, said: “We had a fantastic afternoon discussing the opportunities and challenges facing the NIHR to deliver relevant and inclusive social care research. There were brilliant examples of the work already happening and the really ambitious plans for the future. Thank you to everyone who contributed.”