SPCR 2021-2026
The original NIHR SPCR was formed in 2006. Most recently the school’s membership was refreshed through an open competition in 2015. Phase III of the school comprised nine leading academic centres and built on the work completed in Phases I and II.
The main purposes of NIHR SPCR are to carry out world-leading research in primary care, providing a focus for primary care research within the NIHR, and supporting the development of primary care research.
The NIHR is committed to improving the evidence base for primary care practice so that people are provided with better and more effective care. There is a continuing need to develop capacity and capability in primary care research in England. The intention is to build on the success of the school by refreshing and renewing the membership through an open competition.
The school undertakes a wide range of research projects and programmes, as well as school-wide research programmes with a focus on major primary care challenges, assessment, capacity building, evidence synthesis and research methods.
The renewed and refreshed NIHR SPCR will commence 1 April 2021. It will enable the school to build on progress made in previous funding phases. The renewed SPCR will conduct research which responds to and meets the needs of local populations and local health and care systems, and which addresses the nation’s changing demographics and corresponding impact on disease burdens and service demands.
Distinctive to this new phase of the school, is the explicit aim to strengthen the primary care research sector more broadly, with a requirement for members of the school to share their expertise with non-member institutions. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging, collaborating and partnering with institutions beyond the school membership.
Board Members
Prof John Macleod Prof Katrina Turner | |
Prof John Campbell Prof Sallie Lamb (Deputy Director) | Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), University of Exeter |
Prof Christian Mallen (Director) Prof Danielle van der Windt | School of Primary, Community and Social Care, Keele University |
Prof Darren Ashcroft Dr Tom Blakeman | Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester |
Prof Joe Kai Prof Nadeem Qureshi | Primary Care University of Nottingham |
Prof Richard McManus Associate Prof Geoff Wong Associate Prof James Sheppard (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead) | Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford |
Prof Chris Griffiths Prof Steph Taylor | Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Queen Mary's University of London |
Prof Paul Little Prof Hazel Everitt (Deputy ACDL) Prof Miriam Santer (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead) | Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton |
Prof Fiona Stevenson Prof Kate Walters | Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London |
| Dr Georgina Fletcher (Assistant Director) |
Business and Capacity Plans
Aims of SPCR 2021 - 2026
The aim of the NIHR SPCR is to increase the evidence base for effective primary care practice.
Its purpose is to:
- To conduct high-quality research to increase evidence to support primary care practice, including general practice, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry
- Through a programme of research, to produce new data and knowledge through high quality research to inform the development of primary care practice
- To engage with broader stakeholders in primary care to inform high quality, relevant research
- To provide strategic leadership for the development of primary care research and primary care research capacity across the sector
- To train future research leaders by providing multidisciplinary training and career development opportunities for all researchers who can contribute to primary care research
- To facilitate collaborations and linkages with other strategic partners both within and outside the NIHR
- To disseminate findings, support other knowledge transfer activities and increase the visibility of the school across the primary care sector.
The NIHR SPCR will work collaboratively across the sector to:
- Consult widely on research priorities
- Conduct high-quality peer-reviewed research to produce new knowledge including, where appropriate, reviewing and synthesising existing knowledge
- Inform the future development of primary care practice
- Add value to research and associated activities funded by the school in Phase I, II and III
- Comprise of leading academic centres of applied primary care research in England
- Build a closer relationship between primary care researchers and relevant stakeholders such as NHS England and NHS Improvement, local government and other health bodies in England as well as patients, service users and practitioners.
- Commit to the ongoing support and development of researchers’ career and personal development.
- Engage with primary care institutions external to SPCR to increase the primary care evidence base, build capacity and provide career development opportunities across the sector.
- Provide evidence to inform decision-making and best practice in primary care
- Complement other NIHR programmes and projects