The Institute for Excellence in Healthcare (IEH) is based on a strong partnership between University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and University of Leicester (UoL) – to deliver world-class research opportunities for healthcare colleagues in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Both institutions offer an outstanding track record of research and innovation based on a multi-institutional approach.
The IEH will collaborate with established research infrastructure, including:
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre
- NIHR Leicester Clinical Research Facility
- NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network East Midlands
- NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre: Leicester
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration – East Midlands
Evidence shows there is a need to invest in a skilled delivery workforce as well as attracting, training, and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex healthcare challenges.
The main aim of the IEH is to bring together research infrastructure across institutions which enhances patient care, increases external visibility, and creates a vibrant working environment for staff.
The IEH will support the research community through:
- Sharing and building research expertise and capacity
- Jointly developing clinical and academic staff
- Providing opportunities for the workforce to take part in research activities
- Increasing research income within both institutions
- Supporting clinical academic posts with responsibility for leading on the research agenda
- Evaluating future opportunities to broaden the scope of IEH, encompassing other partner universities and trusts
IEH committee
The IEH committee includes members of the senior leadership and management teams across UHL and UoL.
The role of the IEH committee is as follows:
- Set the strategy and vision for the IEH
- Ensure the IEH strategy is aligned with multi-organisational strategies
- Ensure the IEH makes good use of the allocated budget and seek additional sources of income
- Assist with identifying and resolving risks
- Provide advice and guidance on issues facing the delivery of the IEH
- Use influence and authority to assist the IEH in achieving its outcomes
- Review and approve final IEH deliverables
- Ensure engagement of stakeholders and partners
- Create a culture where the IEH can flourish
Committee members:
- Julie Hogg, UHL Chief Nurse
- Antonella Ghezzi, Assistant Chief Nurse Research and Innovation UHL
- Nigel Brunskill, Director of Research and Innovation UHL
- Debi Bhattacharya, Professor of Behavioural Medicine UoL
- David Wright, Head of School of Healthcare UoL
- Danielle Burnett, Director of Midwifery UHL
- Clare Pheasant, Chief Allied Health Professional UHL
- Hayley Grafton, Chief Nursing Information Officer UHL
- Joseph Manning, Professor of Nursing and Child Health UoL
- Duncan MacDonald, Associate Chief Pharmacist UHL
- Mohamed Rahman, Chief Pharmacist UHL
- Seth O’Neill, Director of Research School of Health UoL
- Sally Singh, Director of Training for the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre / Head of Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation UHL/UoL
- Linzy Houchen-Wolloff, Physiotherapy Research Lead
