University launches new Institute of Health and Wellbeing to internal staff and stakeholders

The new Institute of Health and Wellbeing was launched internally to an invited group of staff and stakeholders on Monday 2 September.

Working with health and social care providers, commissioners and other partners, the new institute will support research, enterprise and innovation relevant to the health and wellbeing of the population.

Its overall aim is to develop new and innovative inter-disciplinary research to address health and wellbeing issues of the population. Its main objectives are:

• To engage in collaborative research locally, regionally, nationally and internationally,
• To create research partnerships with purchasers and providers of health and social care, with the professions, industry and the independent sector,
• To enhance research skills in the community through the provision of quality educational programmes,
• To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, policies and practices to improve population health and wellbeing,
• To develop a sustainable model for research activity and investment.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Petford and Professor Carol Phillips, Deputy Dean of the School of Health, both gave speeches and welcomed Katie Jones, who will be taking up the appointment of Manager of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing from 1 October.

During his speech, Nick said: “With a presence on the Health and Wellbeing Board for Northampton, the University will have a very strong voice in shaping the future strategy and agenda of health and wellbeing for the people of Northamptonshire and beyond, as the Institute will reflect what is happening nationally.

“It’s going to be an exciting project and provides a superb opportunity to develop a really integrated healthcare agenda that reaches out across large parts of the University.”

The internal staff and stakeholders were invited to share their ideas for research enterprise and development, which will form the basis of workshops over the next couple of months.

A formal external launch will take place on 6 November, with Professor Chris Drinkwater, President of NHS Alliance, as the keynote speaker.

Find out more about the Institute of Health and Wellbeing