ARC GM | Projects

What are we trying to do?
The NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) has funded the creation of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network (GM IRN). The aim is to make sure patients of all backgrounds receive improved care through the co-development of useful, relevant research that will help reduce health inequalities.

Together, the NIHR ARC Greater Manchester and Prof Peter Bower, Lead of our Evaluation theme, are supporting the GM IRN, which is led by Dr Maria Ahmed Drake.

Why is this important?
Evidence shows that both patients and general practices benefit from getting involved in research and that this can help make health services better for all patients.

However, currently, practices working with underserved populations often do not have the right funding or staff to get involved in research. In addition, their patients often do not get the same access to research and may face difficulties due to language and other cultural barriers.

How are we doing it?
Researchers, patient groups and research-active general practices in the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester will work together to achieve an inclusive research network. This will involve:

Co-creation
Supporting researchers to design inclusive research across the whole research process, including:

developing ideas and questions
selecting participants
data collection
data analysis
evaluation of impact.

Capacity building

Developing a network of research-active practices that serve underrepresented populations.
Gather data and insights from primary care teams working in socio-economically deprived areas (also known as the ‘Deep End’) and use the information to shape NIHR policies.
Support the next generation of GP Academic Clinical Fellows to lead on research in these practices.

Collaboration
Collaborate with stakeholders to involve patients in research. Stakeholders include:

NIHR North West RRDN
NHS England Research Engagement Network (REN)
commercial partners
local patient groups
voluntary care sector organisations.

Consultancy
As AI technology and automation are being used more often to manage demand in primary care, the GM IRN will provide research consultancy to tech companies. This will help ensure emerging technologies support primary care teams to meet the needs of patients with poor health and/or IT literacy.

Who are we working with?

Funding information
This initiative is funded by the NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network and is a partnership between the Manchester Integrated Medical Practice (MIMP) and the NIHR School for Primary Care Research.

More information

Programme Manager
Gill Rizzello
Gill.rizzello@manchester.ac.uk