Published: 14 August 2023
The NIHR is investing £25m to fund new research into multiple long-term conditions (MLTC).
Older people are more likely to live with MLTC, yet the burden of MLTC at all ages is significant. Younger people living with MLTC also have complex care needs requiring treatment, and support.
This new research, looking to advance and develop research into MLTC, is co-funded by the UK Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR, commented: “More people than ever are living with more than one long-term condition. We now need to look at how we best arrange our health and care services to meet their needs, and those of their carers, moving towards a person-centred approach.
“Supporting research into multiple long term conditions continues to be a key priority for NIHR. I am particularly delighted that NIHR is partnering with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for these proposed Innovation Hubs, so that we can bring the best of two research communities together to tackle this important challenge."
The commissioning for this large-scale programme is part of a phased approach. Now in the first phase, nine groups have been awarded a total of £1.75million. This will allow them to undertake development work to establish specialist Innovation Hubs.
Minister of State for Health, Will Quince, said: “A health system that understands and supports people with multiple long-term conditions is one that uses cutting-edge research to inform care of the highest quality.
“This funding boost will help us learn more about how multiple long-term conditions manifest, and provide essential insight for our upcoming Major Conditions Strategy, which aims to provide better treatment for millions of people.”
The NIHR is looking to develop and support research applications to drive research forward in this area.