New £22m London research partnership targets health inequalities and NHS pressures

A £22m government-funded London research partnership has launched to tackle health inequalities and pressures across NHS, public health and social care services.

The collaboration brings together 20 organisations across the capital to conduct applied research and help turn evidence into improvements in health and care.

Its work will focus on neighbourhood health and social care, prevention and early intervention, productivity and economic growth, and data science for healthcare.

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration London (ARC London) will be hosted by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Its leadership is based across King’s College London, University College London and Imperial College London, with professor Laura Shallcross as director, professor Ingrid Wolfe as co-director and associate professor Ana Luisa Neves as deputy director.

ARC London is one of 11 Applied Research Collaborations across the country, supported by a total National Institute for Health and Care Research investment of £170m over five years.

The collaborations will share expertise and learning. ARC London will also work with other NIHR ARCs, NIHR infrastructure across London and life sciences partners to support new medicines, technology and models of care into practice sooner.

Professor Marian Knight, scientific director for NIHR Infrastructure, said: “This new London ARC will play a vital role in turning research into real-world improvements in health and care, generating evidence across the capital that benefits communities nationwide.

“By bringing together partners from every corner of London, we have a unique opportunity to collaborate, innovate, drive economic growth, and deliver meaningful impact for patients.”

ARC London plans to address health inequalities through inclusive approaches across its research, with findings intended to be relevant to diverse populations and resulting interventions delivered to those who need them most.

Its data science work will examine how health and care needs can be identified earlier to help prevent illness and improve care.

Other themes will cover independent living, reducing emergency hospital visits, care for people with multiple needs and prevention of major conditions including cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease and mental ill health.

Professor Laura Shallcross, director of ARC London, said: “By partnering with patients, communities and people working across the health, public health and social care systems, the London ARC has a major opportunity to address some of the most important health challenges that are facing society.

“We are excited about what we might be able to achieve together and want Londoners and health and care practitioners to work with us to shape the ARC and its priorities.”

Imperial College London is a founding partner, with Neves, associate professor in digital health at its School of Public Health, serving as deputy director.

Neves said: “Our priorities and themes are focused on translating research and evidence into practical solutions that support healthier communities, a more sustainable health and care system, and strengthen our capacity as a system to harness innovation and respond to future needs.

“We have a unique opportunity to connect research, innovation and expertise across the capital and turn evidence into solutions that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”