Backing for bid where MancuniansƵ first-hand experiences can drive health policy and progress
ManchesterƵs commitment to tackle health inequalities has been further boosted by funding news for research that can connect the Council, University of Manchester researchers and local people as a way of working together to improve health outcomes.
Over the last year, Manchester has been working on a bid to be a funded Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), which is a local-government led partnership, to increase research capacity in areas where there are high levels of need or deprivation.
Manchester submitted a proposal to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) where every part of the CouncilƵs work and decision-making can plug into HDRC findings to influence decisions and change how services work Ƶ especially by listening to less-heard voices in the community.
The proposal also linked to a wide spread of other key players including voluntary and faith organisations, public and private sector partners, so that they too, can routinely use its research to inform current and future planning.
And, now, the city has just heard that it has been identified as one of a number of areas that the NIHR would like to see undertake further development from January 1, 2024, with the expectation of becoming a full HDRC a year later in January, 2025.
Manchester has a proud record of partnership work to bring together communities, voluntary organisations and policy partners. Our evaluations have demonstrated how including communities helps in all aspects of tackling inequalities and making sure that we donƵt leave anyone behind
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care at Manchester City Council, said: ƵThis is a unique bid because it means that local people are at the heart of shaping policy and connecting with academia based on their own experiences. Too often communities are presented with pre-set solutions that they donƵt relate to. The HDRC brings a new era in trust where local people can make their own health priorities the subject of research - and will then see the impact on local decisions.
ƵNot only is that right, but it is key theme of our Making Manchester Fairer Programme. ThatƵs our five-year action plan to address health inequity and preventable deaths by looking at all the social factors that mean that some people in the city die earlier than others.
ƵManchester is an incredible world-leading city and thatƵs why we want to make sure that those opportunities and expectations can be experienced by everyone who lives here.Ƶ
, Academic Lead for the HDRC, said: ƵThis is a unique opportunity to build on our inclusive research for the full HDRC in 2025.
ƵManchester has a proud record of partnership work to bring together communities, voluntary organisations and policy partners. Our evaluations have demonstrated how including communities helps in all aspects of tackling inequalities and making sure that we donƵt leave anyone behind.
ƵPutting people at the heart of this exciting new initiative is vital for inclusive research and improving health and wellbeing. We look forward to building on our research-active communities and research-responsive policies to tackle inequalities together.Ƶ