Ground breaking Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre established

MERSEY Care NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Liverpool have teamed up to create the 1st ever Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC), where service users co-design the innovations they need and want, alongside health professionals, researchers, industry partners, and public advisers.

The Centre will be awarded £10.5 million of Government funding from the Office for Life Sciences and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. It is part of the national:- 'Mental Health Mission' which aims to accelerate mental health research through a UK network of leading investigators called the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration which includes M-RIC in Liverpool.

M-RIC will create a world 1st 'learning system' where treatments improve the more they are used, studied and refined. The focus will be on under-researched areas such as early intervention in psychosis, depression, and children and young people's mental health. Research will underpin Liverpool City Region's commitment to service users, providing easy access to clinical trials and increasing their involvement in better care, closer to home.

Professor Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care's Chief Executive, said:- "Investment in mental health research has huge potential to boost economic growth, reduce health inequalities, and address the associated £13bn per annum the UK economy loses in productivity to poor mental health. To improve mental health, the Centre will advance understanding of how mental, physical, and social conditions are interlinked, and trial new interventions with industry in real life settings."

Professor Iain Buchan, the University of Liverpool's Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, explained:- "Mental health is vital to us as individuals, families, and communities, yet despite advances in public health and healthcare, mental health has been declining, particularly in disadvantaged areas like Liverpool. Our Centre will have particular depth in mental health data science and engineering, driving innovations for a connected world; continuously improving as the research underpinning them is embedded in mental health services."

The data-sharing required for the project will be facilitated by Liverpool City Region's Civic Data Co-operative (CDC) which uses data to deliver better care for residents.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "The Covid19 Pandemic has exacerbated many of the health inequalities that exist in our society today; few more so than the extreme disparities in mental health support and funding. Coupled with the spiralling cost of living, it's little surprise our country is now in the midst of a mental health crisis – which is costing the UK economy nearly £118bn every year. It's 1 of the many reasons we invested in an ethical Civic Data Cooperative, to allow local experts to analyse our residents' health and wellbeing needs and to help us improve care and service delivery locally. Our area has been a global leader in health research and innovation for centuries, and it's fantastic to see this legacy continue today with the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it helps us identify and explore new, improved ways to treat the mental health and wellbeing of our 1.6 million residents."

Professor Nusrat Husain, Mersey Care's Director of Research and Innovation, and Global Centre for Research on Mental Health Inequalities, added:- "The investment for innovation in mental health provides important opportunities to build upon our existing work to address mental health inequalities. For example digital technologies are helping to improve access to mental health services and becoming an important part of our clinical practice. These innovations in the way we deliver mental healthcare will not only have an impact on Liverpool City Region, but also nationally and globally."
 

LOCAL Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, hosted Revitalise, volunteers, guests, and carers in the House of Commons for a special event to celebrate their 60th Anniversary.

Mr. Moore opened the event, welcoming everyone to Parliament as they came together to support the outstanding work of 1 of the UK's leading providers of breaks and holidays for disabled people and their carers.

Mr. Moore, who has visited Revitalise's Sandpipers numerous times and has long supported its vital mission to ensure every disabled person and carer can enjoy the break or holiday they want, stressed the charity's crucial role in promoting equality and accessibility in our communities.

Ahead of Sandpipers' planned refurbishment, Mr. Moore enjoyed spending a heartfelt evening with former guests and volunteers, past and present, hearing some of the many stories that make Sandpipers such a unique and wonderful place.

Mr. Moore is also calling on Local Authorities across the country to consider Revitalise, and in particular Sandpipers, as the premier destination for disabled people and their carers needing respite breaks and holidays, and is urging those who can to support their:- 'Give me a Break' campaign to promote such holidays, details of which can be found online at:- Revitalise.Org.UK.

Revitalise, a nationwide charity operating 2 purpose-built locations, including the much loved Sandpipers, in Southport, that provides over 2,500 breaks each year to disabled people and carers.

In the last 20 years alone, around 200,000 guests have experienced the joy of a break thanks to Revitalise's efforts, supported by their 50,000 amazing volunteers across the United Kingdom.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "I'm immensely proud to have Revitalise, and in particular their wonderful Sandpipers location, operating in our town. People come from across the country to stay in their world-class facilities, and the team at Sandpipers represent the very best of our community. Revitalise, through Sandpipers, bring to life the vision of a community where every disabled person and carer can enjoy the break or holiday they want, and it is wonderful that they can do so in our local community. I urge local authorities across the country, and of course Sefton Council, to think of Revitalise and Sandpipers when working to support the local disabled community, and of course their carers. I encourage everyone who can, to support Revitalise's work, as every contribution makes a difference in the lives of disabled people, their carers, and our community."

George Blunden, Chair of Revitalise, said:- "We are very grateful for the support of Damien Moore MP in highlighting and supporting the work of Revitalise, and of course for his hosting of our event in Parliament. Our Southport location provides crucial holidays to those who may otherwise not have a chance for a break, in particular, for those who care for disabled people, and so it is hugely beneficial to have the support of our local MP in achieving our mission, creating lifelong experiences and promoting accessibility for all. For all those wishing to help disabled people and carers to get the vital breaks they need, please support our:- 'Give me a Break' campaign, at:- Revitalise.Org.UK."