The purpose of the ARC KSS is to improve the health and social care of people living in the region. This is achieved through developing research partnerships and very importantly, the implementation of research into practice (we’ll look at implementation in more detail later on).
A core activity of the ARC is to engage with and involve local communities and the public in its work. When the ARC KSS was originally set up, eight research themes were identified based on local need:
- Social Care (person-centred, community based)
- Starting Well (children and young people’s mental health)
- Living well with Dementia
- Primary and Community Health Services (GP and community care)
- Co-production (working with the public and practitioners to develop, produce and implement research)
- Public Health (preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health)
- Digital Innovation (technology and its impact on health services)
- Economics of Health and Social Care (looking at how efficient and effective our health and social care services are)
There are 15 ARCs in total across England. ARC KSS is newly established. This gives us the opportunity to think innovatively and flexibly with regard to embedding PCIE in the newly formed ARC KSS. We have recently developed a Public Involvement Strategy. It covers a five-year period from October 2019 to October 2024. As a researcher involved with the ARC KSS, you are a part of something creative and new that embraces positive ways of working. This includes PCIE.
