The Kent Surrey Sussex Applied Research Collaboration (ARC KSS) brings together NHS Trusts, local authorities, universities, communities and other partners to support the development of innovative research to improve health and social care for patients and families in the south east.
The collaboration, coordinated by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is designed to ensure the learning from research is used more quickly and systematically to improve patient care.
Health Innovation KSS has recruited Implementation Leads to work on the ARC KSS’s four core research themes:
- Living well with Dementia: translating research to better care to help people to live well with dementia – led by Kath Sykes
- Social Care: person-centred, community-based social care – led by Becky Sharp
- Primary Care: sustainable and integrated care focusing on people living with chronic conditions and marginalised groups – led by Sam Fraser
- Starting Well: early detection and intervention of mental health problems in children and young people – led by Becca Randall
ARC KSS improves research in areas such as social care, the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, supporting people with dementia – particularly those with other health and social care needs as well – and working to improve primary and community services across the region.
The ARC KSS initiative was launched in July 2019 by the Department of Health and Social Care, with £9m funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The funding will be made available over five years from the NIHR and will be boosted by an additional £5m investment from local NHS trusts, local authorities and universities.