The University of Reading is part of a £35.4 million award to the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, which aims to "directly translate research into potential new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical technologies for NHS patients."
The funding aims to promote research and development across 11 themes, which involves both academic and NHS sites from across the country. The funding awarded to the University of Reading covers the theme of 'Mental Health in Development' and will be conducted alongside researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Liverpool and Oxford Brookes, as well as the Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust. The theme will aim to develop targeted, effective, and accessible mental health interventions that meet the needs of diverse children and young people, over a five year period.
Professor Stella Chan, Charlie Waller Chair in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, and leading the University of Reading's involvement said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear that the Oxford Health BRC has received funding from the NIHR to continue our work. It is in this transformational, interdisciplinary space that research findings evolve into treatments and patients benefit. Mental ill health is a growing issue in the UK.
“Alongside our unique research-led Anxiety and Depression in Young People Clinic, Charlie Waller Institute, and Reading Resilience Network, we hope to further the reach and accelerate impact of the work of the Oxford Health BRC, through our expertise and networks across NHS and third sector services.”