We are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.
NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) support applied health and care research that responds to, and meets, the needs of local populations and local health and care systems.
The NIHR ARC South West Peninsula (also known as PenARC) is one of 15 ARCs across England, part of an £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public.
We are a partnership of local providers of NHS services, local providers of care services, NHS commissioners, local authorities, the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth and charities across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly). Some research projects include sites outside this area, particularly if a comparison site is required.
Our aims
- To increase the volume and quality of patient-focused research in the South West
- To improve health outcomes by more effective use of evidence to drive health services
- To increase capacity within the health economy to use and generate evidence
Our areas of research
We have five core research themes. They are:
- Complex Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health
- Public Health
- Methods for Research and Improvement
In addition, we have been awarded £1.85 million from the NIHR to lead a national research programme on Children’s Health and Maternity, working closely alongside NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber. This programme of work began in October 2020. Read more about the Children’s Health and Maternity programme.
About ARCs
Each NIHR ARC is made up of local providers of NHS services, local providers of care services, NHS commissioners, local authorities, universities, private companies and charities. These collaborations work together to conduct high quality, generalisable, applied health and care research that addresses the specific health or care issues in their region.
NIHR ARCs also aim to increase the rate at which research findings are used in practice.
The 15 ARCs work collaboratively to address national research priorities, with individual ARCs providing national leadership in their areas of expertise.
About the NIHR
NIHR’s mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR was established in 2006 and is primarily funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Working in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public, the NIHR delivers and enables world-class research that transforms people’s lives, promotes economic growth and advances science.
Management Board
The PenARC Management Board includes representation from our Partner Organisations and meets twice a year.
Read the PenARC Management Board Terms of Reference (PDF, 395KB).
Annual Report
Access the narrative version of our latest annual report: PenARC Annual Report 2022-23