Bournemouth University is one of the partners of a new organisation that has been launched to fund health research across the region.
ARC Wessex aims to produce research that makes a difference in terms of practice, patient outcomes and policy, dealing with some of the most pressing issues affecting our health and social care system.
15 ARCs – Applied Research Collaborations – have been established across England, with the Wessex region covering Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and South Wiltshire.
The team in Wessex is spread across four universities - including BU - as well as NHS Trusts and local authorities, with health professionals and care staff working with academics to find practical solutions for patients and health and care systems.
ARC Wessex has been awarded nine million pounds by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to establish and fund research opportunities across four areas, dealing with some of the key challenges affecting health and care in the region:
- Ageing and dementia
- Long Term Conditions
- Healthy Communities
- Health Systems and Workforce.
Director of ARC Wessex Professor Alison Richardson, said : “Our collaboration is focussed on some of the biggest health challenges facing communities across Wessex. Our research will bring together patients and the public, local health and care providers and universities to work together to produce and implement research to enable prevention of ill health, more effective treatment and care and better outcomes."
Professor Vanora Hundley, Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice in BU's Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, was part of a panel discussion at the launch of ARC Wessex, talking about BU’s approach to health research
She said: “Bournemouth University has a reputation for collaborating with our Wessex partners to conduct applied research that meets the needs of patients, the NHS and the wider community. We have achieved this by working to bridge the gap between practice and higher education, for example through our clinical academic doctorates and joint posts.
"The ARC is an exciting opportunity to build on this and strengthen our clinical research capacity while at the same time delivering meaningful research that has an impact on our community.”
Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Bournemouth University, said: “BU is delighted to be part of the ARC working with our colleagues to deliver high quality health and care research that is relevant to the Wessex community and has a high impact.
"The ARC places the focus on community and public involvement in research, matching BU’s strength for bringing together research, education and professional practice through Fusion.”
For more information, visit the ARC Wessex website
