The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has been transformational for our Unit. In 2006, we were a small team of six based at Bradford Royal Infirmary. We have since grown to a workforce of over 40, comprising clinicians (including allied health professionals and doctors), methodologists, and data scientists.
Through NIHR support, our multidisciplinary team has evolved into an internationally recognised centre of excellence in ageing and stroke research.
Twenty years ago, our small team successfully won the first ever round of Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) competition. This grant funding enabled us to sustain and grow our staff base over the longer-term. We went on to win five further PGfAR, and was also successful in many other NIHR funding streams (e.g. HTA, HSDR, RfPB). We were the host of the Yorkshire Stroke Research Network for 10 years. The NIHR Research Career Development funding programme has enabled the Unit to nurture and upskill our workforce, developing a new generation of world-class researchers.
Work undertaken in the Unit is novel, ground-breaking and award winning. We have completed two of the world’s largest ever stroke rehabilitation trials, our Longer-term Unmet Needs assessment tool for stroke has been translated and used in over 18 countries (including China, Netherlands, France, Sri Lanka and more) and our work was cited in the Stroke Guidelines worldwide. The electronic Frailty Index (eFI) has been implemented in GP practices across the UK and has been transformational in the assessment and treatment of frail older people, underpinning UK health policy.
As we celebrate twenty years of NIHR, we look forward to building on this strong partnership. By continuing to successfully secure and implement NIHR-funded programmes, the Unit is committed to advancing high-quality, translational research that delivers meaningful improvements in health outcomes.
Through strategic investment in multidisciplinary research and innovation, the Unit aims to enhance the health, independence, and quality of life of ageing populations and individuals affected by stroke. With NIHR support, we remain dedicated to driving forward evidence-based practice, reducing health inequalities, and contributing to improved care at both national and international levels.