The Palliative Care Research Partnership North West Coast led by Lancaster University has been shortlisted in the 2023 North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards.

This award is aimed at recognising good examples of research collaboration between organisations delivering healthcare in the region.

The Palliative Care Research Partnership North West Coast (PalCaRe NWC) is an NIHR funded collaboration led by Professor Catherine Walshe from Lancaster University together with Liverpool University, University of Chester, Edge Hill University, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trusts, and the Clinical Research Network North West Coast.

The awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have helped save lives and improve services, through the development, delivery or application of innovation or research.

Professor Walshe said: “It is so exciting to be part of the Palliative Care Research Partnership North West Coast (PalCaRe NWC) to stimulate research across our region. This brings together clinicians, academics, patients and the public, the CRN and more, across all care sectors, to focus on producing high-quality, relevant research evidence. To hear the buzz of excitement at our first networking day bringing together people to plan research was amazing.”

In addition, Allison Bentley from the Lancaster PhD in Palliative Care programme has been shortlisted in the Research Student of the Year category.

Allison is supervised by Dr Yakubu Salifu and Professor Walshe who said: “Allison is an exceptional student - she has persisted in her studies for her part-time PhD in Palliative Care despite a number of role changes and also returning to front line practice during the COVID pandemic. She has published in high-impact journals during her PhD, and completed a fascinating piece of work exploring the experience of dying for people with Lewy Body Dementia.”

Twelve awards in total will showcase the best research and innovation from NHS organisations, industry and academic partners, third sector organisations, local authorities and other collaborators in health innovation.

Innovation Agency Chief Executive Dr Phil Jennings said: “These awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to those who work to reduce health inequalities and improve patient care. Whether in healthcare or academia, I look forward to receiving nominations and meeting those who have made a real difference to life in the region and beyond.”

The awards are hosted by the Innovation Agency, NIHR Clinical Research Network: North West Coast (CRN NWC) and The Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC).

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 22 June 2023 to be held at The Spine in Liverpool.