Research group

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Wessex

Looking up into tree canopy

At the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex, we conduct applied health research with our partners and others in the health and care sector, alongside patients and members of the public.
Applied health research aims to address the immediate issues facing the health and social care system. We also help bring research evidence into practice and provide training for the local workforce.

Part of Health science

About

NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) support applied health and care research that responds to, and meets, the needs of local populations and local health and care systems. 

​The NIHR ARC Wessex is one of 15 ARCs across England, part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public.  

​The ARC Wessex programme of research addresses four areas related to the health and social care needs of our community.  

​NIHR ARC Wessex is acting as the national lead on research for Ageing, dementia and Frailty. 

Our mission 


“To improve outcomes for patients and public; improve quality, delivery and efficiency of health and care services; increase the sustainability of health and care systems locally and nationally.“ 

​National Institute for Health and Care Research 


Our four main research themes are: 

  • Ageing & Dementia 
  • Long Term Conditions 
  • Healthy Communities  
  • Workforce and Health Systems 

We incorporate our Mental Health Hub and Social Care Hub within each of these themes. 

Each NIHR ARC is made up of local providers of NHS services, local providers of care services, NHS commissioners, local authorities, universities, private companies and charities. These collaborations work together to conduct high quality, generalisable, applied health and care research that addresses the specific health or care issues in their region. 

​NIHR ARCs act to increase the rate at which research findings are implemented into practice. 

​The 15 ARCs work collaboratively to address national research priorities, with individual ARCs providing national leadership in their areas of expertise.  

Visit the NIHR ARC Wessex website

People, projects and publications

People

Professor Alison Richardson PhD, MSc, BN, PGDipEd, RN

Prof in Cancer Nursing/End of Life Care
Connect with Alison

Dr Naomi Klepacz

Research Fellow

Research interests

  • NHS Workforce Organisation & Systems
  • NHS Workforce Wellbeing & Mental Health
  • Occupational Health Psychology

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Naomi

Dr Samantha Meredith PhD

Research Fellow
Connect with Samantha