Liverpool City Council’s public health team has received £5 million in national funding to address inequalities through data-driven strategies. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), part of the Department of Health and Social Care, approved the funds for the development of the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), joining ten other regions. The project will focus on introducing interventions to improve public health through tackling issues such as neighbourhood working, leisure and housing.
The HDRCs aim to reduce pressure on the NHS, contribute to economic regeneration and stimulate growth in the country’s most deprived regions. The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moore’s University, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, Healthwatch Liverpool and the business sector will support the Council, offering valuable capacity and research expertise. The programme, which is scheduled to commence in 2024, will be a collaborative effort between all the partners.
The Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Ruth Bennett says, “The program will help us carry out work to understand the specific challenges our communities face and then use this knowledge to come up with ways to tackle the issues and improve lives.” Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, Professor Matt Ashton notes the city’s significant challenges in relation to health inequalities. Still, he is encouraged by the ability of the excellent universities and their ability to partner with the community and health sectors to make a real difference.
In related news, Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins acknowledges that everyone should have access to quality health and social care services, no matter where they live. The Department of Health and Social Care’s £55 million in Government-backed funding through the NIHR will help these initiatives to ensure that vital research funding reaches local communities, including rural and coastal regions
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More