IFS researchers to inform government decision-making on health and social care

This week, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) announced a £65 million investment in health and social care policy research. Over five years, 13 NIHR Policy Research Units will inform decision-making by government and arms-length bodies, and IFS researchers will play a critical role.

In January 2019, the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce will begin its work, based in King’s College London. Dr Elaine Kelly, who joins as co-director, and George Stoye will use administrative data to examine recruitment and retention in health and social care.

The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Children and Families will be based at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, and also begins work next January. Dr Sarah Cattan joins as Deputy Lead for health economics analysis and data resources.  

The IFS is already a member of the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Obesity based at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Professor Rachel Griffith and Rebekah Stroud are investigating the factors that drive individual food choices and how policy can influence these choices and help reduce the incidence of diet related disease and obesity.