New £3 million research centre takes step forward

A new Yorkshire centre which will improve the health and well-being of children and the elderly, as well as the safety of patients in hospitals and clinics, has taken another step forward with the submission of building plans for approval.

The Wolfson Centre for Applied Healthcare is to be established at Bradford Royal Infirmary and will bring together clinicians from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with researchers from the universities of Bradford and Leeds.

It has been made possible thanks to a £1 million award from the Wolfson Foundation, a national charity which grants support in the fields of science, medicine, the arts and humanities, education and health and disability.

Plans for the centre have now been submitted to Bradford Council’s area planning panel, seeking approval to turn the research centre idea into a reality.

By combining the expertise of health researchers with clinicians who have daily contact with patients, the centre will ensure that its findings are put rapidly into practice - resulting in better health and social care or those who need it most.

The three areas it will address have been identified as key health priorities for the county: healthy childhood, healthy ageing and high quality and care service.

John Wright, director of the Bradford Institute for Health Research at the Foundation Trust, said: “Our planning application is an important next step in this ground-breaking partnership between the universities of Bradford and Leeds and the NHS in Bradford.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners to develop the new national Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research. This project is so exciting because it will improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities by speeding up the translation of research into real benefits for patients.”

Gail Mountain, professor of applied dementia research and head of dementia studies at the University of Bradford, said: “The Centre for Applied Dementia studies is passionate about improving the improving the lives of older people including those with dementia.

“The Wolfson centre is a great opportunity for us to engage in a forward thinking research agenda with clinical and research colleagues .It will provide exciting new pathways for our early career researchers and facilitate new partnerships, locally, nationally and internationally. We are really pleased to be part of this joint initiative.”

Paul Stewart, executive dean for the faculty of medicine and health at the University of Leeds, said: “The award for funds to develop this centre is pivotal for the University of Leeds as we seek to extend our outreach and partnership with colleagues in Bradford.

“Our research will focus on at risk populations, extremes of age, and delivery of high quality and safe care will be fundamental steps in improving health outcomes for both patients in Bradford and the West Yorkshire region.”