Two projects supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC) have been featured in the NIHR Annual Report 2025/26. SmartSocks: supporting earlier dementia detection The SmartSocks pilot is testing whether sensor-enabled socks can monitor sleep and walking patterns at home, helping to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome. Exploring drone: delivered defibrillators A second project examined public responses to defibrillators delivered by drone during simulated cardiac arrests. Participants supported the idea, while highlighting the need for clear guidance, confidence using the equipment and continued CPR support from ambulance call handlers. Research making a difference Both projects show how regional […]

New research has highlighted how councils could use food purchasing and advertising policies to help tackle climate change. Food and drink production accounts for more than one-third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councils can help reduce this impact by choosing more environmentally sustainable food for schools, leisure centres and other council-run sites. They can also influence the types of food advertised on property they own or manage. Researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria and Oxford University found that only a small number of English councils have introduced climate-friendly food advertising and purchasing policies, despite most having declared a climate emergency. The study calls for […]

A new national opportunity is inviting health, care and community partners to work together to improve cancer care for people across the UK. Macmillan Cancer Support, in partnership with Q, hosted by the NHS Alliance, has launched the Macmillan Q Lab, an innovation programme focused on one important question: “How might we reimagine holistic cancer care closer to people’s homes?” Over a nine-month period, participants will take part in workshops, peer learning, coaching and a structured design process to develop innovative solutions that could make cancer care more accessible, equitable and community-focused. Teams will also have access to expertise from Macmillan and Q, alongside funding support of up to £75,000 […]

Women with poor access to financial, educational, and social and health resources engage less with health and care services throughout their pregnancy. This is due to a range of reasons such as social stressors, low health literacy, digital exclusion, lack of support, language barriers, transport difficulties, and stigma and judgement from healthcare professionals. Research led by the NIHR School for Public Health Research and supported by the NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria examined these barriers, and the work has led to the development of new toolkits to support improvement of care. The toolkits aim to help policy makers and practitioners implement actionable changes to service delivery, to help […]

Monday 2 November, 9am until 4pm – The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix. Join leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners and experts-by-experience from across the region for a powerful one-day conference exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing women, families and marginalised communities. This unique practice improvement event will bring together national speakers with regional leaders in research, public health, social care and community organisations to examine how stigma, trauma and disadvantage shape people’s lives – and what we can do differently to improve outcomes. This event is jointly hosted by: Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health; NIHR School for Public Health Research; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities; Newcastle […]

People living with serious mental illness often experience poorer physical health outcomes and face significant barriers to accessing the care and support they need. Addressing these inequalities requires innovative, person-centred approaches that bring together physical and mental health services to deliver more coordinated care. A new case study in the Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria (HI NENC) Innovation Library highlights an initiative focused on improving physical health outcomes for people with serious mental illness. The resource explores how services worked collaboratively to identify health needs, improve access to care, and support individuals to manage their overall wellbeing more effectively. The case study provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals, […]

Funded places for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism are available for health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria until the end of October 2026.   What is this training? Named after Oliver McGowan, whose preventable death highlighted the need for better training, it equips staff with practical skills to meet people’s needs and reduce health inequalities. It is mandated by NHS England and helps meet the statutory requirement for learning disability and autism training. It has been co-produced by people with lived experience and helps staff provide safe, kind and inclusive care.   Why does it matter? Autistic people and […]

The Northern Cancer Alliance is asking cancer patients to share their experiences of how a cancer diagnosis has affected their work life, and what information or support was available to them. The feedback will help build a better understanding of the support patients may need at diagnosis, during treatment, when returning to work, and while managing the ongoing impact of cancer in the workplace. Individuals are encouraged to complete the anonymous survey and share their views. Complete the survey here: Work and Cancer Survey – Patient The survey is anonymous and will remain open until Friday 28 August.  

Social Prescribing Link Workers across the North East and North Cumbria are being invited to take part in a new free skills development programme this autumn. Delivered by Teesside Mind in partnership with VONNE, the programme offers two practical training workshops designed to support continued professional development and strengthen person-centred practice in social prescribing. The training is provided through VONNE’s Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Programme, funded by the North East and North Cumbria ICB’s Healthier and Fairer Programme. Workshop one: Goal setting How can I support people to identify goals that genuinely matter to them? What makes a goal realistic, meaningful and achievable? How do I maintain momentum when […]

Cumberland Council has been recognised for its work to improve access to affordable, healthy and sustainable food, receiving the Excellence Award in the Good Food Local Awards (North East and North Cumbria). The council was also ranked highest for leadership among the 13 participating authorities. Since joining the Good Food Local programme in 2024, Cumberland has increased its overall score from 67% to 86%, with its score for tackling food poverty rising from 58% to 79%. The award reflects strong partnership working between the council, local organisations and communities. Initiatives contributing to the achievement include increasing the number of affordable food hubs from 16 to 21, supporting 10 schools to […]