The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) continues to deliver on a programme of work that addresses the health and care priorities in the region.
Since it was set up in October 2019, the ARC KSS has funded or supported almost 300 research projects across the region, published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed papers, and recruited almost 9,200 people to take part in their studies.
Its latest Annual Report Summary 2023-2024, published today, (26 November) highlights the wide range of activity that it has been involved in, across the region, including:
- Supporting the successful application of Surrey County Concil to host a Health Determinants Research Collaboration, joining Medway Council, to boost research capacity and capability within local government.
- Helping more individuals, working in or with strong links to the social care sector, to develop research projects and activities that will benefit people using adult social care services.
- Funding and supporting several projects around young people's mental health including: three youth research partnerships and the launch of a digital platform to support mental health in schools and colleges nationally.
- Establishing a responsive research group to provide Integrated Care Systems (ICS) with evidence synthesis on key topics identified by system leaders.
- Working in partnership with Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex to implement and disseminate more than 30 impactful projects across priority themes.
View the Annual Report Summary or download the PDF here.
Professor Stephen Peckham, Director of ARC KSS, says:
"I am delighted to share our latest annual report summary, which not only displays the vast range of actitivy we have been involved in, but also the impact our work is already making on both a local and national level.
"In particular, our work on improving the treatment and outbreak management of scabies in care homes and other insitutions and creating includive residential care for LGBTQ+ elders, which have both been highlighted in the national and local press and adopted by national regulators and local authorities. As well as our work on the whole school and college approach to mental health, a project that has influenced national policy. It's through these changes we can make a real diffrence to the lives of people that use our health and care services.
"We want to build on our strengths and successes. We recently received NIHR's call for a second round of ARC funding from April 2026 and have been consulting with partners to see what kind of activities they think we should support in the future. This will help us make sure that we continue to focus on the most important needs of our region."
Monica Richards, ARC KSS public member says:
"What fantastic work to see — unbelievably impressive stats. I will continue to shout out ARC KSS at every opportunity. Thank you for having created such a safe, welcoming, and supportive community. I’m so proud to have been part of it."
