New government investment for health research announced

The government has announced a new injection of health research funding addressing a number of key healthcare priorities.

A total of 124 million pounds will be allocated to 13 pioneering research teams across the country by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which will be spent over the next five years on various projects.

Initiatives include work to reduce the risk of dementia through exercise and strategies to improve nutrition and health for existing patients, as well as new means of diagnosing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, providing aftercare for stroke patients and preventing at-risk groups from developing diabetes.

Health minister Lord Howe said: "It is vital that we invest in health research, not only to create the opportunities for health research to grow – but also to help our economy thrive so we can compete in the global race."

The NIHR was established in April 2006 and is dedicated to supporting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public.