NIHR CLAHRCs: world class research that really makes a difference

29 September 2015

The National Institute for Health Research has published a document that demonstrates the impact of Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs). The document, called NIHR CLAHRCs: world class research making a difference (PDF), introduces some of the highlights of the CLAHRC programme so far, with a number of case studies, particularly from the first wave of established CLAHRCs that have been operating since 2008. CLAHRC West was in the second wave, set up in 2014, and so we haven’t submitted a case study to this document.

All CLAHRCs conduct world-class applied health research across the NHS and then translate research findings into improved outcomes for patients. We focus on research targeted at chronic disease and public health interventions. The 13 CLAHRCs in England work together as a college ensuring that we share our learning across the country and work in a cohesive and collaborative way.

We know that our success will be judged by the impacts we have not only on patient outcomes but on practice. We are well aware that there are a number of pressures on the NHS, including:

  • people living longer, often with long-term conditions and multiple co-morbidities
  • greater financial pressures
  • health inequalities

We also understand that this is an era of enormous technological change evidenced by the information and communications technology revolution going on around us.

All of us at CLAHRCs want to focus our research to address those challenges and, wherever possible, provide solutions to the issues of our age whilst taking advantage of this era of change. We know that our success will be judged by the impacts we have not only on patient outcomes but on practice and policy changes locally and nationally.

This brochure introduces you to the highlights of our CLAHRC programme to date. It details successful examples of our work and the impact it has had and will continue to have. Combined, we are saving the NHS millions and are helping to save and improve the lives of patients across England and further afield.