GMMH awarded six-figure funding for first mobile research van
Research & Innovation at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) has secured over £100,000 in national funding to introduce a mobile research van that will make getting involved in mental health and dementia research easier for the community.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) held a Capital Investment Funding competition earlier this year, aiming to enhance the capacity and capability of NHS organisations to develop and deliver innovative research.
GMMH was one of the successful applications to this competition and they were awarded £105,511 for the purchase and running of a mobile research van to support increasing participation in research studies, screening and some additional research activities.
Natalie Garratt, Head of Research & Innovation at GMMH, said:
“We are delighted to receive funding from the NIHR for a new mobile research van. This will enable us to take research on the road across the areas we serve and engage with our local communities closer to home.
“We know that people with mental health conditions are often not included in research, and we are so excited to increase opportunities for people to take part in important mental health and dementia research.
“Research & Innovation are in the process of purchasing and equipping the mobile research van, and it will be on the road later this year.”
The new mobile research van will be an electric van, and include a seating area, clinical area and basic medical equipment. It will allow researchers to visit many different communities, increasing the awareness of and participation in mental health and dementia research. More information about GMMH’s mobile research van will be shared in the coming months, and it is hoped that the van will be on the road this year.
Research & Innovation at GMMH is a leading research department in mental health and dementia which delivers large, complex studies across a broad range of conditions and therapies. GMMH’s research and innovation provides a strong evidence base to make real change in the way that the NHS understands and cares for its service users.
GMMH has over 50 different research studies currently open, which include trialling new medicines, evaluating different types of therapies, using digital technology to improve treatments, or making mental health support more accessible. You can browse the different studies, and see if you might like to take part in one, by visiting our Active Studies Finder on our website.
