The Vale Medical Practice is a National Institute for Health and Care Research, (NIHR), accredited Research Practice.
What NIHR is
The NIHR stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Research. It is a major UK organisation funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. NIHR is the UK’s largest funder of health and care research and plays a central role in improving healthcare through evidence, innovation, and research.
What NIHR does
Here are its main functions:
1. Funds research
- Provides funding for studies into diseases, treatments, and healthcare systems
- Supports research in hospitals, universities, GP practices, and community settings
- Covers areas like medicines, mental health, public health, and social care
2. Supports the NHS to do research
- Helps NHS organisations run clinical trials and studies
- Employs research nurses, coordinators, and infrastructure across the NHS
- Aims to make research part of everyday care
3. Improves patient care
- Uses research findings to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
- Focuses on outcomes that matter to patients and the public
4. Develops researchers
- Funds training, fellowships, and career development for clinicians and scientists
- Supports GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals to get involved in research
5. Provides evidence for decision-making
- Produces evidence to guide NICE, NHS England, and policymakers
- Helps ensure healthcare decisions are based on robust data
6. Encourages patient and public involvement
- Involves patients and the public in designing and running research
- Ensures research is relevant and ethical
In simple terms
The NIHR connects research with frontline healthcare, making sure new discoveries actually improve patient care in the NHS and beyond.
The Vale Medical Practice is proud to support the work of the NIHR and it’s goals of improving the health outcomes and lives of our patients.
