Industry and partners

The National Institute for Health and Care Research HealthTech Research Centre in Devices, Digital and Robotics (NIHR HRC-DDR) is hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). UHB also host the following infrastructures which provide multiple opportunities for collaboration with industry and partners.

NIHR Birmingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF)

The CRF provides a high-quality clinical environment where volunteers and patients of all ages can take part in experimental and early phase clinical research. Its adult facilities are based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, while paediatric services are delivered at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The CRF is multi-speciality and works closely with clinicians and academics from many different specialities. Both CRF sites are purpose-built, dedicated units where patients can take part in research programmes safely, according to robust, ethically approved trial protocols.

NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)

The NIHR Birmingham BRC translates new scientific discoveries into treatments and diagnostics for patients. The BRC focus on inflammation and the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of its associated long-term diseases. The BRC test and deliver new treatments for these diseases, most of which have no cure or treatments to improve quality of life. Thanks to the West Midlands’ uniquely diverse population, research is relevant not only on a local and national level, but also at a global scale.

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (ARC WM)

ARC WM is an initiative aiming to create lasting and effective partnerships across health and social care organisations and universities (Birmingham, Keele and Warwick), to improve care services across the West Midlands. Research is carried out across four substantive themes: Long-term conditions; Acute care interfaces; Integrated care in youth mental health and Maternity services. There are also four cross-cutting themes that underpin this research: Organisational sciences; Research methodology, rapid response and informatics; Public health; Social care.

NIHR Midlands Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC)

The NIHR PSRCs carry out research to improve patient safety. They focus on topics including service delivery, patient safety behaviours, clinical decision making, and transitions between care settings. A key emphasis underpinning all research is reducing safety inequalities in healthcare.

West Midlands Secure Data Environment for Research (WMSDE)

The WMSDE is a data storage and access platform that improves patient care by delivering innovation sooner. The WMSDE works with universities and other experts in the West Midlands to provide secure data for clinical trials and studies. Approved users can access appropriate information for analysis, with the NHS tightly controlling what they see.

Birmingham Health Partners

The NIHR HRC-DDR are part of Birmingham Health Partners (BHP), a strategic alliance dedicated to jointly accelerating and implementing healthcare innovations. We are located within Birmingham’s Integrated Life Sciences campus, bringing together academics and clinicians from a range of disciplines.