NMAHP Research Framework

Lothian launched its NMAHP Research Framework in January 2011 for a five year period and this is currently being reviewed with a view to developing the Framework further for the coming period. The Framework exists to establish and sustain a Lothian NMAHP research community. It represents collaboration between NHS Lothian and its three principal academic partners for NMAHP research:

• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University
• School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh
• School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Supporting information documents:

Aims

The aims of the Framework are to:

• Increase the volume and quality of applied research that leads to improvements in patient/client health and well-being and service delivery, particularly in areas of strategic priority.
• Further enhance the profile and status of NMAHP research in Lothian, creating a culture of inquiry and evidence-informed decision making.
• Enhance the NMAHP research infrastructure in order to support the development of high quality research studies and offer a range of career opportunities.

Guiding principles

It is built around the following guiding principles:

• a focus on applied research
• having a comprehensive approach – focusing on research leaders, research users, research enablers as well as those who are research active
• being based on collaboration and mutual benefit
• strengthening integration to achieve alignment between research priorities
• building on areas of success as well as developing new areas of strength
• a focus on outcomes and knowledge exchange

Vision statements

The Framework has 12 vision statements and a five-year action plan that centres on:

• research and evidence based practice being explicit in all roles
• developing clinical academic careers at all levels, including through the Lothian Clinical Academic Research (CARC) Scheme
• establishing clinical and academic ‘homes’
• creating research clusters to develop local research programmes (for example cancer and palliative care, learning disability, critical care, falls)
• increasing and evidencing collaborative research activity, including a focus on impact
• establishing Lothian as a centre for NMAHP research.

Contact

For more information about the NMAHP Research Framework, please direct your enquiry to the relevant contact:

NHS Lothian - Dr Juliet MacArthur

NHS Lothian - Andy Peters

University of Edinburgh - Dr Sheila Rodgers

Queen Margaret University - Dr Kath MacDonald

Queen Margaret University - Dr Judith Lane

Edinburgh Napier University - Professor Michael Brown