Health & Care Engagement
Health & Care Engagement is a programme of work within the Medical Directorate led by a small team.
Latest News and Updates
Find out the lastest news from our key stakeholders as well as updates on the H&C Engagement Programme.
Health & Care Engagement is the means by which the National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) works with the NHS and wider care system in England towards systemic recognition that research is an essential component of best patient care and becomes a routine choice in the patient pathway. Originally initiated by the NIHR Strategy Board in 2016 and has developed with diverse and expert input. The current status of the programme (2022) has been influenced by its successful outputs.
The Health & Care Engagement Programme’s mission is to catalyse, support and lead initiatives, alongside key partners, that contributes to the integration of research and care. These activities support the NIHR in meeting its objectives as well as building on the capacity to deliver research through the Clinical Research Network.
For example:
Establishing Research Indicators in CQC Inspection and in the new 2021 CQC Strategy
Establishing online support tools and best practice case studies for CRN funded workforce
Close work with NHS England's research team in a number of areas
Developing partnerships with a wide range of external organisation leading to wider change (NHS Confederation, Royal Colleges, regulators and policy organisations)
Supporting development of engagement work with the new Integrated Care Systems
Involvement with the DHSC Research Recovery and Growth programme
Key Messages
Health & Care Engagement key messages for 2023/24:
Clinical research is finding out what works best in patient care in specific areas through a 'study'. A study aims to answer a question, in this case about patient care, using a carefully designed method.
Everyone providing care in the NHS uses research, but not everyone is aware of it. The core of all good training is that it is based on evidence which can be trusted.
A growing body of evidence shows that trusts with higher levels of clinical research activity have better patient outcomes (i.e. lower mortality rates)
Research can help you identify effective and cost efficient treatments, processes and systems.
Surveys show that patients and staff have very positive, empowering experiences of research studies.
Our Programme & Projects
Visit our H&C Engagement Programme & Projects page to learn more about;
The Research Engagement Collaborative on NIHR Learn
Embedding Research in Health and Care Services Toolkit
Best Patient Care, Clinical Research and You Staff Guide
Research and Integrated Care Systems
Meet the Health & Care Engagement Team
Jo Mearhart | Head of Health & Care Engagement
60 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6NP
Tania Murray | Stakeholder Engagement Officer
60 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6NP
Email: tania.murray@nihr.ac.uk
Simi Nangla | Medical Directorate Administrative Assistant
60 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6NP
