Centre for Applied Health and Social Care Research
Improving health and social care outcomes through research.

About us
The Centre for Applied Health and Social Care Research (CAHSCR) works to improve health and social care outcomes for individuals and communities. We are dedicated to conducting research that makes a difference and informs the education of healthcare professionals, enhancing the services they provide.
Our Centre also delivers the RISE Research Leadership Academy, which supports the next generation of leaders in health and social care research.
Our Centre houses several dynamic research groups focused on various aspects of health and social care. Find out more about these research groups below.
Our Mission
Our mission is to conduct applied health and social care research that addresses the key challenges faced by service users, providers and commissioners. We also focus on research that enhances the education and training of healthcare professionals to improve outcomes in the health and social care sectors.
Vision
We aim to improve health and social care outcomes for all social groups, irrespective of class, gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, disability or mental/physical health needs. We achieve this by undertaking research that promotes evidence-based education and public engagement, while improving the delivery and organisation of health and social care services.
Aims and Objectives
- Address key health and social care challenges that matter to the public, patients, professionals, service managers, commissioners and policymakers.
- Advance knowledge in health and social care professional practice, services, and policy, contributing to a national and international reputation for research excellence.
- Foster a vibrant, collaborative research environment that strengthens the research capacity of our academics and professional communities.
- Increase our research grant and contract income and the volume and quality of our publications and research degree students.
- Ensure outcomes that influence public policy, professional practice and healthcare services.
Research groups
We collaborate with NHS partners, including St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust as well as partner universities. Research covers clinical, organisational, and systems-level studies using various methodologies, focusing on areas like data sharing in emergency care, new professional roles, and professionalism in the ambulance service.
They also conduct research on urgent and emergency care topics. Additionally, they offer opportunities for pre-doctoral fellowships and PhDs to help develop future research leaders.
For more information please contact Dr Mary Halter.
Founded in 2018 by Professor Ann Ooms, HERE is an international research network that brings together academics, healthcare, and social care professionals. Our focus is on improving the learning and professional development of the health and social care workforce through research and evaluation.
The network aims to provide engaging and effective learning opportunities for students and professionals, enhancing their skills and practices. HERE members collaborate closely with healthcare providers and commissioners. Members include academics, nurses, midwives, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers, rehabilitation scientists, occupational therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, surgeons, doctors, social workers, social anthropologists and scientific writers.
For more information please contact Professor Ann Ooms.
The Inclusive Health and Implementation Research Group focuses has an underlying focus on health inequalities and provides a network for researchers working within the following themes:
- Life Transitions: Research on maternity care, childhood, and chronic diseases.
- Capacity Development: Supporting aspiring researchers through training, fellowships, and collaborations with the and other national initiatives.
- Implementation and Improvement Science: Exploring ways to move evidence into practice and improve health and social care.
- Rare and Unusual Conditions: Collaborating with UK and European groups to advance research for people with rare conditions.
For more information please contact Professor Tushna Vandrevala.
The Learning Disability Research Group is also known as the Yellow Tulip Group. It focuses on research addressing the health and social care needs of individuals with learning disabilities (referred to as intellectual disabilities outside the UK).
The group is co-chaired by faculty members Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Professor of Intellectual Disability and Palliative Care. As well as Richard Keagan-Bull, a researcher with learning disabilities.
For more information and to get involved please contact Irene Tuffrey-Wijne.
The mental health research group is led by Professor Mary Chambers. The groups projects include: The impact of training HCAs on an acute, inpatient, psychiatric ward in psychological first aid (PFA). As well as a Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire (TEQ). This was developed for routine use within acute inpatient settings to measure components of therapeutic engagement from the perspective of service users and registered mental health nurses.
For more information please contact Professor Mary Chambers.
HESCADE is multidisciplinary with a focus on questions about the education, development and well-being of the current and future health and social care workforce.
Research themes include:
- Interventions to support the well-being of the health and social care workforce
- Effective methods of education/training of the current and future health and social care workforce
- Effective methods of supporting, retaining and developing the health and social care workforce professionals
- The impact and acceptability of innovation in the health and social care workforce, including new ways of working, new knowledge and skills, and new roles.
For more information please contact Professor Ann Ooms.
Contact us
For more information about the CAHSCR including membership of the advisory board please contact one of the joint Directors of the Centre.