Research for Better Health & Social Care

This is our third strategy for Health and Social Care R&D. The first two strategies were implemented highly successfully and the realisation of their objectives has transformed our capacity to undertake high quality research that provides knowledge for improvements in health or social care services, prevention of illhealth and support for the economy.

This new strategy builds on these successes and describes our commitment to continually improve the HSC R&D landscape in Northern Ireland. Its development has been informed through extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders who have divergent connections to research and to our health and social care services. During this engagement, there was remarkable consistency with regard to those areas of HSC R&D activity that are valued most and those that need to develop and transform. The four objectives we have set in this Strategy are intended to ensure that the research we support is focussed on providing evidence to support the delivery of the highest quality health and social care.

While fundamental, discovery research is vitally important, it is not normally within the remit of the HSC R&D Fund. But we must be ambitious so that researchers based in Northern Ireland have the resources necessary to undertake the best research, working within a system that supports the use of research findings for policy, practice and services.

We are committed to focussing on research that addresses priorities for evidence that are identified by local policy-makers, HSC staff / organisations and the population; yet we must recognise that we can access evidence generated in any part of the globe. Recognising that we are unable to support research to meet all of our evidence needs, we are committed to supporting a finite number of areas based on existing strengths and will take action to prompt the development of new research areas where a deficit is recognised.

Participating in research adds real value to academic and clinical careers. It is vital that we deliver this message to colleagues at the earliest stages of their careers, that they are able to identify and be supported by appropriate mentors, and that they have realistic opportunities to become research leaders.