Do you have a passion for Implementation Science, Knowledge Mobilisation and Health Research? Then we have a fantastic opportunity to join the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Peninsula (PenARC) Implementation Science Group. This is a chance to work on a range of existing and new projects and to play an active role in identifying new topic areas for development.

Understanding how to put effective health care into practice is a crucial link in the chain to improve the population’s health. Implementation Science helps to provide this link by drawing on a range of research methods.

This post will be funded from the NIHR ARC...

A 'how-to' guide to help accelerate the spread of ‘game-changing’ mechanical thrombectomy (MT) emergency treatment for acute stroke has been launched by national stroke experts.

The NHS Long Term Plan identifies stroke as a clinical priority; stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fourth largest cause of death in the UK. The plan sets out an aim to deliver a ten-fold increase in thrombectomy so that 1,600 more people are independent following stroke.

There is overwhelming evidence that mechanical blood clot removal (known as mechanical thrombectomy or MT) for the treatment of ischaemic stroke due to large artery occlusion (blockage of one...

The University of Exeter is fast becoming recognised for world-class dementia research. As a global top 100 university with over 100 researchers working in dementia, we have the expertise to make a real impact in this escalating world health challenge.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Allied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for the South West Peninsula at the University of Exeter’s College of Medicine and Health is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship: Non-pharmacological interventions for dementia behaviours: developing and evaluating a ‘living’ evidence and gap map, Institute of Health Research - PhD (Funded) Ref: 3600

For eligible students the studentship will...

PenCLAHRC are delighted to be able to announce success in their bid to become a funded and designated NIHR Applied Research Collaboration.

In 2018 The NIHR launched a new competition to designate and fund NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs), a new approach to the NIHR CLAHRCs of previous years. PenCLAHRC submitted their application to the NIHR to secure designation and funding for five years as an NIHR ARC in autumn 2018, and are now able to confirm the success of their application.

The new funding is part of a £135 million government investment in health research aimed at tackling the biggest challenges the health and care...

The Community and Primary Care Research Group within the Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences at the University of Plymouth is looking to appoint a Senior Research Fellow or Associate Professor with expertise in qualitative methods and health services research to join the NIHR-funded dementia care programme, D-PACT (Dementia Person Aligned Care Team).

Research in this group is conducted through the involvement of practitioners, and the public, who are instrumental in helping to develop focused research questions and in designing projects.  Our research is often directed towards those individuals who are the most excluded or disempowered, have mental health problems and have...

Tamsin Ford, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Exeter Medical School has been awarded a CBE for services to psychiatry in the 2019 Queen’s birthday honours list. Professor Ford has played an instrumental role in helping to improve health services and schools across the UK and advised Ofsted about mental health in relation to their new education inspection framework. Her work has been cited in recent health and education policy documents and is regularly cited in government.

Since 2010 Professor Ford has led a PenCLAHRC supported project, Supporting Teachers and Children in Schools (STARS), now in its...

Ian Sherriff, Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at the University of Plymouth and founder member of the Plymouth University Dementia Group has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday honours list. A leading figure in dementia care and research and ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, Ian’s award has been made in recognition of his services to people affected by dementia.

Ian, whose role within Alzheimer’s Society sees him travel the country to work with people to become Dementia Friends, said: “I’m completely blown away by the honour, and it’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved...

Children and young people suffering with long term physical conditions can find anxiety and depression impacting on their lives and on those around them. Now a systematic review, led by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula’s (PenCLAHRC) Evidence Synthesis Team has found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) might help.

Among a range of findings the team identified evidence of the benefits of CBT for children and young people with inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain and epilepsy. The research, published in the NIHR Journals Library and funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health...

Within low-income communities, use of antidepressant medication is relatively high, but current strategies tend to frame mental distress as an individual psychological problem, rather than addressing the factors that are often the root causes of suffering.

Now a PenCLAHRC supported project, DE-STRESS, sets out to research how welfare reforms and austerity affect the treatment of mental health in low income communities. The team’s research will help to inform a stated government aim to reduce health inequalities amongst vulnerable groups by examining the connections between mental health, housing, employment and the criminal justice system.

Hear Dr Felicity Thomas and Professor Richard Byng of...

The AHSN Network, NHS England and the NIHR commissioned ComRes to conduct a survey that would provide a detailed understanding of the innovation and research needs at local level across all AHSNs. The findings of this project were used to produce an initial statement of innovation and research needs in each AHSN area - one of the actions in the NHS England and NIHR joint paper on ‘12 actions to support research in the NHS’. 

These statements, alongside the regional and national report findings, will be used to facilitate further discussions at regional level, involving patients and the public and the research community, to...