An Introduction
Institute for Health Services Research
The Institute for Health Services Research was established in December
1994. It has grown
rapidly, currently employing seven staff on a full-time basis, and a
further six people seconded,
half time, from other departments of the Faculty of Health Care and
Social Studies. In just over
two years, it has attracted around £350,000 of external funding from a
wide variety of national,
regional and local agencies. IHSR research focuses on primary care,
general practice, the
extended role in nursing, health needs of minority ethnic groups, and
consumerism in health care.
However, the Institute has also formed working relationships with acute
sector trusts, and is
collaborating on Culyer task-linked funding bids with several of them.
In addition to funded research, IHSR has a remit to develop research
awareness and activity. It
has a grant from the Anglia and Oxford Regional Health Authority for
primary care research
development, and has recently established RIALTO, a research advice and
information network
which provides workshops and seminars on the four hospital sites (Luton
and Dunstable, Bedford,
Stoke Mandeville and High Wycombe) as well as direct, one-to-one
assistance for health care
professionals engaged on their own research projects. Professionals from
all sectors and
disciplines are involved in this network, from hospital consultants to
practice nurses, and from
physiotherapists to dieticians.
The Institute for Health Services Research is an independent constituent
of FHCSS, its Director
being the Dean of the Faculty. In effect, it is a separate department,
and as such plays a full part
in the academic life of the Faculty. It is represented on the Faculty
Research Committee, and on
the Research Degrees Subcommittee; its Deputy Director represents the
Faculty on the University
Research Degrees Committee. Its senior staff supervise postgraduate
research degree students at MPhil and PhD levels.
Paul
Institute for Health Services Research
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|