New research partnerships announced

The Department of Health has announced the launch of two new partnerships between leading universities and NHS organisations to boost care in depression, dementia, childhood obesity and stroke.

In total, the government will grant 18 million pounds to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) collaborations in Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.

These Collaborations for Health Research and Care were selected by an independent panel and will begin at the start of October 2008.

The partnerships will be added to the seven announced in May 2008 which will also start next month.

Professor Sally C Davies, director-general of research and development at the Department of Health, said: “The NIHR Collaborations for Health Research and Care represent an exciting and innovative partnership between universities and the NHS.”

In July 2008, the government announced the publication of a new framework for action on public health and social marketing.

It was set out in four main areas; health capacity, health insight, health innovation and health partnerships.

The Department of Health noted that according to recent research, 86 per cent of people believe the government should work to prevent illness through the provision of advice and information, while 89 per cent believe individuals are ultimately responsible for their own health.