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November 2021
NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) newsletter
News from across the ARCs
Northern inequalities / Report exposes the devastating impact of the pandemic on people across the North of England
A report from the Northern Health Science Alliance, Policy@Manchester and the four northern NIHR ARCs shows northerners were more likely to die from COVID-19, spent nearly a month and-a-half more in lock-downs, suffered worse mental health and were made poorer than the rest of England during the first year of the pandemic. 
“Urgent need” for research / Experts call for international efforts to examine link between COVID-19 and new-onset diabetes 
Growing numbers of people with new-onset diabetes linked to COVID-19 means there is an “urgent need” for research into the phenomenon, a team of experts has said. A review led by NIHR ARC East Midlands explored ‘COVID-19, hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes’ and found that early identification and treatment of people could improve their long-term outcomes.
A game-changer / How implantable heart technology could save lives
Implantable heart technology is being used in Manchester to assess when a patient is at high risk of dying. The research team from NIHR ARC Greater Manchester, University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust found a three-fold increase in odds of mortality for patients who spent at least one day in high-risk status.
Improving diagnosis / New research identifies who should be offered testing for coeliac disease
Targeted testing of individuals with a range of signs and symptoms could improve diagnosis of coeliac disease, a new NIHR ARC West-funded study published in PLOS ONE has found. Signs and symptoms include family history of coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, anaemia, type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis and chronic liver disease.
"A stark picture" / Excess deaths in people with mental health conditions and disabilities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
A study based on more than 160,000 patients has revealed greater number of deaths among those with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities during the pandemic. The researchers, including experts from NIHR ARC South London, found that deaths from COVID-19 among those with learning disabilities were nine times higher than the general population during the first lockdown period.
Research findings / Younger children and adolescents are the least willing to have the COVID-19 vaccination
Research supported by NIHR ARC Oxford and Thames Valley has found that younger children and adolescents are the least willing to have the COVID-19 vaccination. The research highlights a need for more resources to help young people feel confident and encouraged to take the COVID-19 vaccine, should it be made available and offered to them.
Project evaluation / Initiative reduces re-offending rates and improves wellbeing in prison leavers 
Researchers from NIHR ARC North West Coast have collaborated with Active Lancashire to evaluate United Together, a unique initiative that helps mitigate the risk of people re-offending post-release from prison. The programme focuses on physical activity as a way to boost confidence and foster positive relationships, which can help bring about lasting behaviour change.
Addressing inequalities / Working with people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups to improve access to mental health care
The ARIADNE Project aims to address the impact of the pandemic on the access to and experience of mental health care by people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. The project team, led by researchers from NIHR ARC West Midlands, will work with service users from these groups, their family members and professionals. 
New report / Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in the East of England continue to experience barriers to accessing healthcare
NIHR ARC East of England researchers are working alongside Gypsy, Roma and Travellers in the East of England to understand the barriers these communities face in accessing healthcare and identify how these barriers might be resolved. The latest report from this project makes a series of recommendations.
Pioneering study / Greater Manchester partners with industry to test novel cholesterol-lowering treatment in the community
Patients in Greater Manchester are taking part in a pioneering study as the NHS brings a new cholesterol-lowering injection into use. Greater Manchester-based organisations, including NIHR ARC Greater Manchester are collaborating as part of a new study involving 900 patients testing the implementation in primary care of inclisiran, a new drug to reduce LDL cholesterol.
Promoting active lifestyles / Could healthcare professionals be key when it comes to supporting physical activity?
Healthcare professionals such as GPs, nurses and physiotherapists could have a big influence when it comes to promoting physical activity. A study by researchers at NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria has looked closely at the training they receive, and makes suggestions around how it could be improved.
National research programme launch / Healthy ageing, dementia and frailty
Led by NIHR ARC Wessex, a consortium of ARCs across England have started work on three research projects to improve the lives and care for older people. Find out more about the amazing research underway and watch the launch event video.
Get research ready / Kent, Surrey and Sussex launches online learning platform for early career researchers
NIHR ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex has collaborated with other local NIHR organisations to launch an online learning platform for early career researchers. The platform, Get Research Ready, is packed full of information and videos to prepare early career researchers for the world of health and social care research.
Putting research into practice / Healthy Stevenage's Basketball Roadshow
NIHR ARC East of England have shared the latest update from their partner Healthy Stevenage, who they worked with on a project to improve young peoples’ health and access to physical exercise in Stevenage. Coaches from A-Z basketball provided coaching sessions for young people for the whole of August. To celebrate the success of the programme, they held a basketball festival in Hampson park.
Bradford Covid Scientific Advisory Group wins national award

The Bradford Covid Scientific Advisory Group, a partnership led by NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber, has been awarded a national Local Government award, for bringing together research and families across social and healthcare organisations during the pandemic.

Professor Mala Rao awarded prestigious Alwyn Smith Prize 
Professor Mala Rao OBE, NIHR ARC Northwest London Ethnicity and Health Theme Lead, has been awarded a prestigious Alwyn Smith Prize from the Faculty of Public Health for her exceptional contribution to improving public health through research. Her tireless work spans public health practice, policy and research.
ARC North Thames-funded study wins RCGP Research Paper of the Year
A study demonstrating the effectiveness of IRIS, a training and support programme to help primary care teams identify and refer women affected by domestic violence and abuse, has been awarded the 2021 Royal College of General Practitioners Research Paper of the Year. 
Blogs and opinion
"It takes a village to raise a researcher" / Elaine Willmore tells her research story
Elaine Willmore is Head of Research and Development for Therapy at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In October, she started her PhD with the University of Gloucestershire and NIHR ARC West, looking at social prescribing. In this blog, Elaine journeys back along her path in research.
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The rise of eco-anxiety / How the climate crisis is affecting young people
Levels of eco-anxiety are growing, particularly among children and young people, and are likely to be significant and potentially damaging to individuals and society, warn Mala Rao and Richard A Powell of NIHR ARC Northwest London.
Read more

Blog / Health-justice partnerships: What role do legal services play in supporting patient health?
Social welfare issues, such as welfare benefits, debt and housing problems, are growing, and have significant and negative impacts on health. In this blog, ARC North Thames researcher Sarah Beardon explores how legal advice services can partner with the NHS to support patients with welfare issues and address health inequalities.

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Podcast / Finding the power in empowerment
In this series of podcasts, Sam Belfrage from the University of Winchester and her side-kick Lynn Laidlaw explore patient empowerment and examine what it means to people from different backgrounds. In December their work is being celebrated at the Engage Conference, run by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement.
Listen to the podcast
"Don't do it!" / Sandra Bartolemeu writes about the advice she received before starting a PhD
When it came to starting her path in research, it's lucky Sandra Bartolemeu didn't listen to the advice: "Don't do it!". In this blog, PhD candidate and mum Sandra talks openly about her struggles in self-belief and sheer practicality in starting her PhD. 
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Blog series / Riding is the only way to really learn to ride a bike and implementing is the only real way to learn ‘how to’ implement. So what does that mean for implementation science? 
In this three-part blog series, NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber’s implementation specialist, Kristian Hudson, shares the insights and learning he gained from talking to implementation experts around the world when he set out to answer the question of "how to implement?".
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"It sparked new excitement for my own research" / Lucy Goddard's experience from a brilliant three-day residential training camp
NIHR ARC Oxford and Thames Valley-funded DPhil student Lucy Goddard shares her experiences of the recent NIHR Residential Training Camp – just one of the many opportunities afforded by being a member of the ARC.
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PhD research perspective / What happens next?
Newly qualified Dr Viktorija Kesaite talks to NIHR ARC South West Peninsula about how PhD study has been for her and what happens next in her research career.
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Blog / Health Service and Policy Research: Getting the Research into Action
Professor Richard Lilford, NIHR ARC West Midlands Director, discusses why he believes findings from evaluations of health technology are more likely to be adopted than those from Health Services and Delivery Research.
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Everything happens for a reason / Sam Malins tells his story of stumbling into research
Sam Malins stumbled into research, but after seeing its benefits on clinical practice first-hand the Clinical Psychologist is thriving as a clinical academic. Read Sam's story in this ARC East Midlands feature.
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Blog / What did local government ever do for us?
Professor Ben Barr, leader of ARC North West Coast's Improving Population Health Theme, joins colleagues on a blog which argues levelling up health will only succeed if we invest across the whole of local government.
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Community Insight video / Czech, Slovak and Romanian Roma communities report concerns around accessing healthcare
Petr Torak MBE, CEO of Compas Charity, describes concerns reported by Czech, Slovak and Romanian Roma communities in Peterborough around access to healthcare. This community insight video is part of an ARC East of England research project: Right to Health for Gypsies, Travellers, Roma and Showmen families. 
Watch the video
Events and opportunities
Inside Research Seminar / Participatory and community-based approaches to tackle health inequalities

3 November, 6pm - 7:30pm

Location: Online
In this seminar researchers and members of the public involved in ARC South London's work will show how they are developing and using participatory and community-based approaches to ensure that the organisation's research tackles health inequalities. 
Webinar / Introduction to business process modelling in healthcare 

4 November, 6pm - 7pm

Location: Online
In this free webinar, Grazia Antonacci from the NIHR ARC Northwest London's Innovation and Evaluation Theme, will cover what Business Process Modelling is and its many potential benefits in healthcare. The webinar is run by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
Webinar / Should we abolish “statistical significance”? Replication problems in scientific research and the role of statistics

10 November, 12pm - 1pm

Location: Online
Is ‘statistical significance’ a flawed concept? Should we abolish it? In this free webinar, Dr Peter Martin will address replication problems in science and the role of p-values therein. It is aimed at health and care professionals, applied health scientists, and anyone with an interest in the replication crisis in science. This webinar is hosted by the ARC North Thames Academy Early Career Researchers Network.
Networking / Stroke early career researcher event

11 November, 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Location: Online
At this event, we invite early career researchers or those interested in stroke research from any background to come together, network, share existing research and discuss new research ideas to benefit local people. 
Learning event / How to improve quality of care: Why research is the missing link

19 November, 1pm - 3:30pm

Location: Online
Hear how a number of Trusts have supported and implemented research to improve quality of care and workforce capacity, and how your trust and patients can benefit by supporting research. This event is for commissioners, senior trust executives, clinical academics, anyone in QI, and interested clinicians and researchers who want to improve mental health care for patients.
Active Involvement in Research event / Involving people from diverse communities in co-producing research

22 November, 6pm - 8pm

Location: Online
This year, ARC South London's Active Involvement in Research Event will look at how health and social care researchers can and do work with people from under-served groups - for example, people with disabilities, Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and others facing inequalities.
Learning event / Shifting sands: understanding and supporting medicines management work at end-of-life

1 December, 1pm - 2pm

Location: Online
This event will explore the research around managing medicines for individuals living at home towards the end-of-life. The event is being chaired by Professor Alison Richardson, Director of ARC Wessex with presenters Dr Natasha Campling and Professor Sue Latter from the University of Southampton. 
Webinar / Improving the wellbeing of the health and care workforce

13 December, 12.30pm – 1.30pm 

Location: Online
This webinar will be chaired by Dr Chiara Dall’Ora, University of Southampton Lecturer and ARC Wessex Deputy Theme Lead for Workforce and Health Systems. Speakers for the event are Professor Jane Ball, University of Southampton; Professor Jill Maben, University of Surrey; and Professor Jackie Bridges, ARC Wessex Deputy Theme Lead for Ageing and Dementia.
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