NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs)

Explore the latest ​roundup of top stories from all our NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) across the country: 👉 mailchi.mp/nihr/march-2026-n… Featuring the latest news, resources, blogs, events, opportunities & more 📨 Join the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/ARCsnewsletter

Falls can cause injury, loss of confidence and hospital admissions among care home residents. Action Falls shows how applied research can deliver practical improvements in care and prevention: buff.ly/TYv4zdm @ARC_EM @ARC_SouthWest

Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborn babies & may also influence parents’ engagement with childhood immunisations. Researchers analysed 450,000+ health records, identifying disparities in uptake & barriers to inform national policy. buff.ly/svlKtuW

How can community-led screening help shift from sickness to prevention? Research from @ARC_EoE and the @BritishIMA social explored culturally tailored bowel cancer screening information to help tackle inequalities. Find out more: buff.ly/4Q8vEN1

During the pandemic, clinicians needed better evidence on whether at-home oxygen monitoring could safely identify patient deterioration. Read how collaboration across the ARC network is helping build the evidence: buff.ly/w9vItzL

How can health and care systems measure the impact of local interventions? The Place-based Longitudinal Data Resource (PLDR) combines datasets to track local changes in health determinants and outcomes over time. Explore more successful ARC initiatives:buff.ly/dBffOhJ

HEAL-D is an online diabetes self-management programme for adults with type 2 diabetes, developed through collaborative research. Discover how culturally sensitive, community-based initiatives are shaping healthcare's future: buff.ly/seRmMYJ @HINSouthLondon

Local-level initiatives such as DECODE, shaping guidance around online triage systems, are vital for improving our health system on a regional and national level. Read more: buff.ly/P7R70zd

The SAMueL (Stroke Audit Machine Learning) project shows how AI, data and collaboration can transform stroke care. By applying AI to national stroke data, patients, clinicians, researchers & policymakers can identify improvements with the greatest impact. buff.ly/f9PXrzQ

Led by @ARC_SouthWest, the Health Service Modelling Associates (HSMA) programme helps NHS and social care staff shift from manual processes to digital, data-driven approaches. Discover more ARC initiatives driving the shift from analogue to digital: buff.ly/bUJ1Ojh

The ElectronicFrailty Index (eFI) is a world-first tool that automatically identifies frailty using GP records. In its 1st year, it assessed 2.5 million older people & helped prevent an est 2,300 falls. It’s now available in 100% of GP practices in England buff.ly/9t5kdhW

To tackle the youth mental health crisis, @ARC_KSS and partners have developed a toolkit used in 450+ schools to measure and improve school mental health strategies. Discover this and more examples of how digital innovation is transforming healthcare: buff.ly/UBq3gom

Childhood mental wellbeing can shape health and life chances, yet many don’t access support when difficulties first emerge. Researchers at @ARC_WM developed a wellbeing census & resource to help schools improve mental health literacy. buff.ly/2O8dHHL

Around 1 in 5 children & young people in England experience a probable mental health disorder, yet access to evidence-based treatment remains limited. Read how initiatives such as the OSI platform are showcasing the role of digital tools in health systems: buff.ly/ZMwXwux

The Digital Sepsis Alert programme, led by @ARC_NWL, explored how real-time electronic health record data could help clinicians identify patients at risk of sepsis and respond earlier. Read more: buff.ly/xLZdDQn

SORTS is an evidence-informed online training programme and toolkit helping school staff identify, understand and support students who self-harm — showing how digital tools can make a real-world difference for those most vulnerable. buff.ly/UXfC9a4 @ARC_EoE

Everyone deserves maternity care that is safe, equitable & tailored to their individual needs, yet parents with learning disabilities can face significant barriers to accessing the care they need. The Together Project, is helping to change this. bit.ly/3VqXPei @ARC_KSS

People living with severe mental illness have a reduced life expectancy of 15-20 years. The Primrose Programme is an example of how healthcare professionals can be supported to facilitate community-centred, preventative health solutions: bit.ly/4ynj3br @NIHR_ARC_YH

How can children living with certain health conditions be supported outside of hospital? The SPACE pilot scheme allows link workers to spend time with families, understand their needs, and ensure they access support. Read more: bit.ly/4xZ2dib @NIHR_ARC_NENC

People living with a life-limiting illness are at higher risk of domestic abuse An NIHR infrastructure-funded study explored peoples' experiences and created a toolkit to help professionals support those most vulnerable. Read more: bit.ly/3VoCbY8

What is the role of health services in helping people manage financial problems? Programmes such as Citizens Advice on Prescriptions in Liverpool are showcasing just how the shift from hospital to community can be achieved. tinyurl.com/mr473xcy @arc_nwc, @CALiverpool_