£10 million funding boost for mental health research in Cambridgeshire

A cutting-edge mental health research project in Cambridgeshire received a massive boost today with the award of £10 million.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is hosting the study, supported by the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia.

Together they form the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for the region, with the aim of carrying out pioneering research focused on the needs of patients and service users.

It is hoped the cash – granted by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) – will start making a difference to people’s lives within three years, particularly in areas such as dementia and patient safety.

Prof Peter Jones, director of CLAHRC in the east of England and head of the department psychiatry at Cambridge University, said: “I am delighted that NIHR has awarded this funding to our new CLAHRC.

“The aim of the CLAHRC is to ensure the findings of academic studies can be used to make a real difference to front-line patient care as soon as possible.

“The work around dementia and how we care for older people is especially important because they are such major challenges facing healthcare and social care providers.”

David Edwards, CPFT chairman, added: “The award of this funding is very welcome. It will be used to fund vital research and will continue to build on our commitment to place patient care at the very top of our priorities.

“Pioneering research attracts the very best staff – and their work will have a major impact on improving patient care.”

Source Cambridge News