Efforts to improve and develop research into health and wellbeing across North East London have received a boost in funding from the NHS.
North East London Integrated Care System (NEL ICS) has secured almost £100,000 of national NHS funding to support the growth of their research engagement network; the central focus aimed at driving ICS partnerships to encourage greater public participation in research studies across NEL.
One of the main goals of this research is to ensure a reflection of the diversity of local communities and gain insight into how services can be moulded to suit peoples’ needs, which in turn will help tackle health inequalities within the community.
The ICS Research Engagement Network is being led by NHS NEL Integrated Care Board who are working closely with North Thames Clinical Research Network, UCLPartners, Healthwatch and the local voluntary community and social enterprise alliance.
With NHS England’s Long Term Plan aiming to have one million registering their interest to participate in research by 2023/24, the network is set to support health and care organisations across North East London in meeting this challenge.
Those leading the various research projects within the network will be given an opportunity to share their progress and unique insights on a national scale – creating further opportunities for collaboration and improved healthcare services.
Dr Victoria Tzortziou Brown, local GP and Research and Innovation Lead for NEL ICS, said: “It’s important that any future research agenda is set by those it will impact upon, so it directly addresses the real needs of patients and service users. Establishing a research engagement network provides a unique opportunity to meet this ambition, with the aim of improving the lives of people who live and work in north east London.”
