Mental health research funding is opportunity for pharmacists
Mental health research has been given a boost this week with the creation of a mental health research network and Government funding of £5m.
The network aims to raise the standard of research in England by acting
as a resource for clinicians, researchers, carers and people with mental
health problems with an interest in participating in research.
David Taylor, chief pharmacist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust,
said: “This initiative presents pharmacists with a welcome opportunity
to bid for research funding for projects normally outside the remit of
grant-awarding bodies. There are a number of under-researched areas of
practice that might benefit from pharmacist-led
research.
“These include patient views of treatment, availability and practicality
of informed choice of treatments, and reasons for non-adherence.
“Pharmacists might also take the opportunity to contribute to setting
research priorities by the network. It is hoped that pharmacists’ contributions
will be co-ordinated by the College of Mental Health Pharmacists.”
The network will be managed by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s
College London and the University
of Manchester.
Speaking at the official launch of the network in London, health minister
Rosie Winterton said: “Funding for mental health research has not
reflected the size and scale of the problem. A huge amount of good work
is going on but it currently lacks co-ordination and a strategic overview.”
Research priorities for the network will be determined by consultation
later this year. |
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