Learn how our work, shaped and funded by the public, saves lives and improves the quality of life of patients, service users, carers and communities.
These are the stories of the impact of our research on health, science and the UK economy.
NIHR-funded research confirmed that caring for a select group of older, frail patients in their homes - rather than admitting them to hospital - can deliver better and less expensive care. As a recipient of an NIHR Research Professorship award, Professor Louise Howard’s research influenced national policies and increased government funding for perinatal mental health services. The NIHR-funded PERSEPHONE trial found that 6 months’ treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) for women with HER2-positive early breast cancer was as effective as 12 months’ treatment. Results of NIHR-funded research into the best feeding approach for extremely preterm babies have informed national guidelines, cut NHS costs & supported a consistent approach to practice A clinical scoring test developed by NIHR-funded researchers has cut the use of antibiotics prescribed for sore throats by nearly a third and a cost-effective approach to manage patients’ symptoms. Use of new software developed with NIHR funding is identifying more patients at high risk of early heart disease and heart attacks. Earlier diagnosis and treatment are saving lives and shaping healthcare policy. In the biggest cystic fibrosis trial in the UK, NIHR-funded research has shown that a personalised web platform, CFHealthHub, could markedly increase adherence to treatment. An NIHR-funded evaluation showed referring people with pre-diabetes to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme cut their risk of progressing to diabetes by 20%. The CAP-IT trial of antibiotic use in young children with pneumonia has delivered practice-changing results, showing the length of treatment can be reduced. An NIHR Clinician Scientist award supported Professor Angus Jones and his colleagues in developing convenient tests to confirm patients’ diabetes diagnosis.Latest stories
Hospital at home scheme supports older people in the community
Identifying mental illness among new and expectant mums
New evidence for shorter early breast cancer treatment
Giving preterm babies the best start from birth
Test for sore throat cuts antibiotic use by nearly a third
Preventing early heart disease in high-risk patients
Breaking down barriers to effective cystic fibrosis treatment
NHS programme linked to 20% reduction in risk of diabetes
Children’s treatment time for pneumonia halved in antibiotic research
Diabetes diagnosis improved by quick, inexpensive C-peptide test
