The Director of NIHR Public Health Research spends a day with Bradford’s HDRC
Prof. Brian Ferguson, the Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research paid a visit to Bradford last week to spend the day with our Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).
The day began at City Hall where Prof. Ferguson and his team were greeted by HDRC Director Dr Ellen Flint and Lead Public Health Consultant Fiona Phillips. They met with our Chief Exec Lorraine O’Donnell and Strategic Director Place, David Shepherd to discuss the vital role of innovation and cutting-edge research and development opportunities to improve health by tackling its wider determinants, including the transformation of our built environment.
From there it was on to Committee Room 3 where the HDRC team and collaborators from across the Council gave a series of presentations on flagship projects. HDRC Data lead Rob Shore was joined by Environment Manager Sally Jones to present a case study on how Bradford’s Clean Air Zone has been using data science to reduce air pollution in the district. HDRC Policy Officer Kevin Brain was joined by Adult Social Care Service Manager Julie Robinson-Joyce to talk about how HDRC delivered a rapid review of existing research to develop support for minoritised informal adult carers. University of York’s Dr Adam Formby presented a case study on the Southern Gateway and how evidence was used to show how the proposals for a new train station in Bradford could affect transport, the environment and health outcomes.
After a networking lunch, Brian and the team enjoyed a short walk in the sunshine across City Park to the Bradford 2025 offices, where he met with some of the community researchers and public contributors who have been working with the HDRC to co-produce new projects.
Finally, it was back to City Hall for in-depth discussions around the topics of Bradford Council’s Areas of Research Interest, and Training, Capacity and Culture.
The visit was an important opportunity for the HDRC to showcase the brilliant work it has been doing since it was launched in 2023 and how it is using the funding provided to it by the NIHR.
Dr Ellen Flint said; “we were delighted to welcome Brian and the NIHR team to beautiful Bradford; and so grateful to colleagues, public contributors and collaborators who gave up their time to showcase their valuable work to our funders. Investments like NIHR HDRC are so important for transforming the council’s ability to deliver services which reduce health inequalities and improve the lives of residents in our district”