Mental Health Hub We focused on addressing areas of mental ill health linked to our deprived rural and coastal communities: neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g. attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), treatment resistant anxiety-depression, addiction (alcohol and gambling); as well as supporting front line workers (addressing knowledge gaps in paramedics, social prescribing framework for link workers). Building on our prior work we have: Increased involvement of public and people affected by mental health issues in mental health research. For example, we now have in excess of 300 public contributors per year who have joined our gambling research database via our digital tool and have established a gambling Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) that has already contributed substantially to grant applications and informing service improvements. Increased our joint working with our Mental Health Public Advisor, into multiple extension research projects and regional grant submissions, contributing to a successful application for NIHR Advanced Fellowship and application to ARC competition. Expanded PPIE activities via our partnership with Raising Voices in Research (RViR). For example, an innovative scheme has matched voluntary and charity organisations with researchers, covering marginalised groups such as older adults, military veterans, men with mental health conditions, and young neurodiverse people. Discovered new important findings for treatment of ADHD; notably the finding (paper submitted) that ADHD with co-morbid autism responds preferentially to a particular type of medication (atomoxetine). Secured additional funding to sustain research in areas of focus. For example, the AUD in Older Adults project has led to a Leverhulme/British Academy research grant (“Alcohol Research? No thanks”), a University of Southampton seed award (“Our Voice Matters: Older People, Stigma & Alcohol”), and Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT-4) grant (“Evaluation of VCia’s Capital Card Scheme”). In addition, secured three UKRI rapid evidence review grants, and a Partnership grant, for research into gambling-related harms. Our research projects ADOPTED PROJECT: INvolvement and engagement to build capacity and CO-create research into Digital INterventions for Gambling that harms (INCODING) Read more Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels: Hampshire Older adults Alcohol Pathway (HOAAP) Read more Gambling and Alcohol Use Addiction in Military Veterans Read more Comparative Effectiveness of Methylphenidate vs. Second‑ and Third‑Line Medications for Children with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Read more Social Prescribing Link Workers framework: supporting complex needs of adults living with physical and mental health long term conditions Read more Identifying the knowledge gaps of paramedics managing patients with mental health issues Read more ADOPTED: Gambling in the UK: An analysis of data from individuals seeking treatment at the NHS Southern Gambling Service Read more Understanding psychosocial determinants of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults: exploring the role of social networks and loneliness in living with AUD (OLA study 2). Read more Development of a core outcome set for nurse wellbeing: a Delphi study Read more Work lives and Wellbeing of Mental Health Nursing Workforce Read more Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological treatment of ADHD in Pre-schoolers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis: the PANPAP study Read more Adolescent Resilience to OVercome Adversity: EmpoweRment and intervention development – the ROVER study Read more Mental health Burden of Increased Living costs: Local Support (My BILLS) Read more Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more Mental health projects

Ageing & Dementia The Ageing and Dementia theme undertook a broad portfolio of research aimed at improving the health, care, and quality of life of older adults and people living with dementia across Wessex and beyond. The theme was led by Stephen Lim with Dr Kinda Ibrahim as deputy theme lead Our work spanned the development and evaluation of novel interventions, as well as the use of routinely collected data to understand how healthcare services can be organised more efficiently and deliver higher‑quality care. Neuro Digital and Neuro Online studies generated new insights into the factors that influence engagement with digital health technologies among people living with neurological conditions and dementia. This work is helping to shape more inclusive and accessible digital health solutions. We have also delivered innovative interventions that mobilise volunteers to support older adults in both community and hospital settings, helping them remain active and prevent functional decline. The ImPACt study successfully implemented an online intervention across seven community clubs in Hampshire and Dorset, which has since been adopted as routine practice by Brendoncare community clubs. The PIVOT study demonstrated the feasibility of volunteer‑led physical activity programmes across three NHS trusts in England, and plans are underway to secure further funding to expand this model nationally. The IDA study strengthened partnerships with NHS trusts and third‑sector organisations to disseminate the Active Lives digital intervention, designed to support older adults in increasing their physical activity. Through collaboration with six NHS trusts and four third‑sector organisations across the South of England, Active Lives reached 5,002 older adults, significantly extending its impact. Through the STOP-DEM project, we generated new evidence on how deprescribing can be undertaken safely and acceptably, with meaningful involvement of patients and carers. Findings have influenced clinical education, professional practice, and policy discussions locally and nationally. Research outputs have been embedded into undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare teaching through a co-produced short film, reached frontline clinicians through NHS and Royal College events, and informed national conversations on medicines optimisation via policy briefings and parliamentary roundtables. Widespread media coverage has further raised public and professional awareness of deprescribing in dementia. Research projects Adopted Project: ACCESS D: Advancing Community Collaboration and Engagement Strategies in Dementia Read more ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more Refinement of an eFalls tool - a multivariable prediction model for the risk of ED attendance or in-hospital fall or fracture in individuals accessing mental health or learning disability services - eFalls Read more ADOPTED: Understanding how and why live-in care packages are arranged and sustained, when dementia is the primary support need: A mixed methods study. Read more Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels: Hampshire Older adults Alcohol Pathway (HOAAP) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Neuro LTC: Assessing Baseline Factors, Critical Events and Fatigue in Long Term Neurological Conditions Read more EnTech (Enabling Technology): Investigating the enabling and inhibiting factors to the use of internet-based support tools for caregivers of people with dementia, and how to promote engagement. Read more The feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative deprescribing intervention to reduce anticholinergic burden among hospitalised older patients. Digital Anticholinergic Reduction Tool (DART) Read more Understanding the Networks, Effects and Teams involved in Community Alternatives to ACute Hospitalisation for Older People in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Region – CAtCH-NET Read more ADOPTED: Mobility assessments in hospitalised older adults: study protocol for an e-survey of UK healthcare professionals Read more ADOPTED: An observational longitudinal cohort study to investigate Cortical Disarray Measurement in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (CONGA) Read more ADOPTED: (SIFT) Sensors in Fatigue Tracking in Parkinson’s. Exploring the relationship between perception of Fatigue and the performance of physical activities in people with Parkinson's with fatigue using wearable sensors Read more Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more PIVOT: Promoting Increased physical actiVity in hospitalised Older adults with Trained volunteers Read more ADOPTED: SPLENDID Social Prescribing for people to Live ENjoyably with Dementia/memory problems In Daily life Read more ADOPTED: Community Alternatives to aCute Hospitalisation for Older People who have Fallen (CAtCH-Falls) Read more Wessex Frail2Fit – A feasibility and acceptability study of a virtual multi-modal intervention delivered by volunteers to improve functional outcomes of older adults with COVID-19 discharged from hospital Read more Developing training for person-centred care: adapting the Chat & Plan for use in domiciliary care Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Geospatial mapping of emergency calls from older adults to ambulance services in the South Central region, with a focus on people living with dementia: a feasibility study. Read more Understanding psychosocial determinants of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults: exploring the role of social networks and loneliness in living with AUD (OLA study 2). Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Optimising Outpatients: Effective service transformation through face-to-face, remote and digital care delivery Read more Development of a structured deprescribing intervention for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in primary care (STOP-DEM) Read more Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: Incidental Interaction: Novel Technology to Support Elders-as-Athletes through Augmenting Everyday Interactions Read more Wessex NHS Insights Prioritisation Programme Project (NIPP) Read more ADOPTED: Investigating Quality of Care for People with Dementia Undergoing Cancer Treatment in Ambulatory Care (ImPaCT) Read more Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) in mental health settings: an implementation study Read more Promoting person-centred care using the CHAT&PLAN conversation guide Read more INVOLVing pEople with cognitive impaiRment in decisions about their hospital nursing care (INVOLVER): a pilot study Read more Neuro Digital: From Attitudes to Strategies Read more Neuro Online (Formerly From Clinic to E-Clinic): Evaluating the Implementation of the My Medical Record Platform in Young-Onset Dementia and Huntington’s Disease. Read more IDA: Implementing a Digital physical Activity intervention for older adults Read more The ImPACt study - Improving physical activity of older people in the community Read more CLECC Toolkit and background: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) Read more StOP UTI project: Strategies in older people's care settings to prevent infection Read more Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more The PD Life Study: Exploring the treatment burden and capacity of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers Read more DIALOR: DIgitAL cOaching for fRailty (DIALOR) Read more Material Citizenship Framework Project Read more Mental health hub projects Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more Publications Read our publications here. 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Workforce & Health Systems Theme lead Professor Michael Boniface Theme lead Deputy theme leads Dr Dan Burns Health Systems Dr Chiara Dall'ora Workforce Workforce & Health Systems Theme We know that the health workforce are an asset and in short supply. As part of our ARC research we are planning a series of studies. We will look at the best ways for staff to work - for example where and when. We also want to improve conditions - in part by ensuring they have time to do the jobs we are asking them to do. Cultivating a flow of pioneering ideas that offer the potential to transform people's lives and the economy using information technology is a motivating force that drives us. Our capacity to rapidly turn these ideas into benefits for partners through collaborative, applied research and innovation makes Southampton a truly exciting place to be. Research projects ADOPTED ActMed-VW - Healthcare professional's experiences of Access to Medication for people on Virtual Wards who are in their last year of life Read more ADOPTED PROJECT - PREMAC 2 STUDY Development and application of Patient Report Experience Measure for patients accessing ACute oncology services: Read more Implementation and Evaluation of the Advanced Practice Research Toolkit Read more Adopted Project: Paramedic delivery of end-of-life care (PARAID) Study Read more PROCED-DST: PROactive, Collaborative and Efficient complex Discharge – Decision Support Tool Read more FORTH – FORecasting Turbulence in Hospitals Read more Predicting nurse staffing requirements -validation and scoping extension study (PREDICT-NURSE validation and extension) Read more Identifying the knowledge gaps of paramedics managing patients with mental health issues Read more Wessex SNSDE Study (SETT Centre) Read more ADOPTED (PhD): PREPARE-to-ACT study: Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies – A multi-phased qualitative investigation of Patients’ And members of their RElational networks’ decisions to use urgent and emergency care during Anti-Cancer Treatment Read more PUNDIT – Predicting hospital Usage Numbers via a DIgital Twin Read more ADOPTED: A Study to Evaluate the Introduction of new Staffing Models in Intensive Care: a Realist evaluation (SEISMIC-R) Read more PREDICT-NURSE – feasibility: Predicting Patient Acuity/Dependency-Based Workload from Routinely Collected Data to Assist with Nursing Staff Planning – feasibility study Read more ADOPTED: Nurture-U (Southampton): A longitudinal survey for student metal health and wellbeing Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more ADOPTED: SORT-IT (Salisbury Operational Research Track – Improving Together) Read more Workforce Evaluation Toolkit project (WET) Read more ADOPTED: Social Prescribers In Deprescribing Role (SPiDeR) Read more ADOPTED: Improving patient safety, workforce wellbeing and NHS efficiency through improved shift patterns for nursing staff: study protocol Read more PARIEDA - Prediction of Acute Respiratory Infection outcomes prior to Emergency Department Attendance Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Geospatial mapping of emergency calls from older adults to ambulance services in the South Central region, with a focus on people living with dementia: a feasibility study. Read more Predicting Patient Deterioration Risks in COMMunities Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Developing and testing a Patient Report Experience Measure for patients accessing Acute OnCology services: The PREMAC study Read more ADOPTED: Consequences, costs and cost-effectiveness of different workforce configurations in English acute hospitals: a longitudinal retrospective study using routinely collected data Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: The career aspirations of nurses working in the research delivery workforce: a cross-sectional survey Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Magnet4Europe: Improving mental health and wellbeing in the health care workplace Read more PROCED: PROactive, Collaborative and Efficient complex Discharge Read more Mental Health, Workforce and Well-being Research Framework - ARC Collaboration Read more Safer Nursing Care Tool and nurse staffing requirements Read more Shift Pattern Feasibility Read more Improving community health care planning Read more CLECC Toolkit and background: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) Read more COVID-19 Emergency Department Project Read more Mental health hub projects Work lives and Wellbeing of Mental Health Nursing Workforce Read more Development of a core outcome set for mental health nurse wellbeing: a Delphi study Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications Access our evidence brief here Read more Evidence briefs Reports, toolkits and support Find the information and tools to improve your work here Read more

aeb3153c-5d74-4046-b64a-afed7e369f76 Understanding the Networks, Effects and Teams involved in Community Alternatives to ACute Hospitalisation for Older People in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Region – CAtCH-NET Chief Investigator: Dr Natalie Cox, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer Geriatric Medicine, Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Team: Dr Stephen Lim, Principal Clinical Research Fellow, Academic Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton & Honorary Consultant Geriatrician University Hospital Southampton NHS FT Dr Sara McKelvie, NIHR Clinical Lecturer Primary Care Research, Primary Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Dr Carole Fogg, Senior Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton Start: 1 October 2024 End: 31 March 2026 Partners: Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, University of Southampton Background In Southern England, there are more older people than in many other parts of the country. Many of them live with several health conditions that can suddenly get worse. When this happens, they often need quick help from healthcare professionals. Whenever possible, it’s better for people to get this care at home rather than going to hospital. This matches the government’s plan to move more healthcare from hospital to the community. To support this, urgent care services have been set up across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. These services aim to treat older people at home when they become unwell. But even with these services in place, many older people still go to hospital emergency departments. Some are sent home within 24 hours, which suggests they might have been safely treated at home instead. That’s why it’s important to understand how these urgent care services are working. Although they are close to each other, they are all set up differently. This research will look at the teams and networks of healthcare staff who help older people avoid hospital stays. We will interview people who work in these services and those who receive care from them. We’ll also study data from two local emergency departments to learn more about why some older people go to hospital and are sent home. By doing this, we hope to better understand how older people move through the urgent care system, and what helps or gets in the way of good care. We’ll also look at whether things like where someone lives, or whether they have a certain problem, affect their chances of going to hospital when it might not be needed. Our findings will help the NHS organisations design better urgent care services, so more older people can be safely cared for at home rather than in hospital. What have we found out? The analysis of the data is ongoing for CAtCH NET: We have data for UHS emergency department and have a cohort of 25,000 patients representing over 40,000 attendances. We are currently analyzing the data to understand the characteristics of these patients and factors related to discharge within 24 hours. We have completed interviews with staff who work within community urgent care services for older people, those who refer to them and those working closely with the emergency departments. Three main themes encompass the experiences of the participants: Complexity in urgent care service provision Complexity of work to avoid hospital admission Complexity of navigating an array of services and personnel What will we do with this new knowledge? We plan to create a report for the ICB and trust stakeholders. We will be working with HIW to conduct stakeholder meetings to discuss out findings and how they may inform ongoing service re-structuring. We have been conducting patient advisory groups meetings and have mapped their experiences to the findings of the qualitative data to aid in stakeholder discussions. We have also highlighted the study to a recent parliamentary call: 10.5258/SOTON/PP0162 10.5258/SOTON/PP0162 Publications Community alternatives to acute hospital (CAtCH) assessment services: Design principles and implementation challenges - Sara McKelvie, Margaret Glogowska, Daniel Lasserson, Joanne Reeve, 2026

Growing social care research capacity Professor Lee-Ann Fenge Social Care lead Social care touches every family in Britain, yet there is a paucity of social care research and historically limited access to the research infrastructure that shapes NHS and social care practice. The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex Social Care Programme was created to change this. Our overarching aim was to build the skills, confidence and partnerships that allow social-care staff, carers and local organisations to use research to improve people’s lives. Working with local authorities, voluntary groups and unpaid carers across Wessex, the programme supports the DHSC vision for a fairer, more integrated system that helps people to live well at home for longer. Research champions funded within three local authorities (BCP, Dorset and Portsmouth City Council) and with voluntary sector organisations including MYTIME , and Help and Care have supported a culture of research engagement across the workforce in these organisations, including through facilitation of journal clubs, joint publications with academics and involvement in research projects. Adults Services within BCP Council have now adopted the research champion model across all of their adults teams as part of their workforce development strategy. Driving Improvement in Services and Local Policy The programme’s practical studies have directly improved service; from staff training on inclusive communication to the redesign of community engagement and recruitment practices. Co-produced publications in leading social-work journals and presentations to professional conferences are spreading these lessons nationally. We have also contributed to national ARC Social Care events to share learning. Building Skills and Confidence in the Workforce - More than 40 social care professionals have received structured research training through internships, fellowships and the new REAL (Research, Evaluation, Audit and Literature) Course co-designed with Hampshire County Council, and participants are already leading improvement projects - evaluating recruitment practices, developing databases of community activities and strengthening induction and mentoring for new staff. Feedback shows greater confidence, better use of evidence in daily decision-making and stronger retention through professional pride. Joint projects between universities and councils have changed how services are planned and delivered for example: Day Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities research informed Hampshire County Council’s strategic plan. In Portsmouth the Single-Handed Care Review enabled efficiency savings while maintaining safety and quality. Research Champions and a Researcher in Residence worked with voluntary organisations including Help and Care and MYTIME to explore the needs of unpaid carers, including young carers and those supporting a loved one waiting for a dementia diagnosis known as the Waiting Well Project which included an exhibition at Poole Arts Centre in January -February 2026 highlighting the challenges carers face. Our research projects SOCIAL CARE: Building Bridges: Elevating Research Culture in Social Care through Collaboration, Qualitative Insight and Relationship-Driven Impact Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more SOCIAL CARE: Evaluation of Southampton City Council’s Male Engagement Worker (MEW) Project Read more SOCIAL CARE: Building capacity in social care through co-produced research and a research learning partnership between University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council Read more SOCIAL CARE: Local Authority Adult Social Care Recruitment and Retention research project (BCP/Dorset) Read more Dorset projecr

Healthy Communities Healthy Communities Theme The health of people across our communities faces a number of challenges from the start of someone’s life until the end – our research teams are addressing inequalities, diet, domestic violence and a wide range of issues that touch on everyone’s lives in particular those in more vulnerable and underserved populations. Research projects ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Exploratory research to examine the health impact of scams and fraud and the current knowledge and systems in the police and partner agencies for targeting and delivering victim support services Read more ADOPTED: DASA - Domestic abuse and housing: local authorities' provision of safe accommodation for adults living with disabilities and/or long-term/life-limiting illness: a mixed-methods study Read more ADOPTED: CEDA ‘Making the invisible visible’: identifying and responding to unpaid carers who experience domestic abuse from end-of-life care recipients Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Evaluating the Operation Encompass Scheme: A Qualitative Scoping Study Read more ADOPTED: IneQUIty in end of life care for children: Investigating experiences and families’ Needs after sudden and unexpecTEd deaTh in children and young people – the QUINTET study Read more Determining the effectiveness and outcomes of innovative interventions for people who have used stalking behaviours: An extension of the exploration of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP) Read more A qualitative case study to understand Young people’s food purchasing patterns in CONvenience stores in the school neighbourhood environment (Y-CON) Read more ENRICHER-C: Involvement in the criminal justice system & the impact on women's health in Dorset & Hampshire – Community comparison Read more Developing a core cohort of community researchers in Wessex: towards a sustainable Wessex Community of Practice for public health research co-production Read more WADE. Women and Desistence Engagement : An evaluation of a community-based, conditional caution pilot programme for women in the criminal justice system Read more Motivating and sustaining engagement of young people in improving their health and that of their communities Read more ADOPTED: Investigating the impact of food vouchers on diet composition and the prevention of childhood obesity Read more ADOPTED: Community pharmacy alcohol-related liver disease risk identification and linkage to care through development of a complex intervention (CIP-LINC) Read more Qualitative Data Preservation and Sharing (Q-DaPS) Read more ADOPTED: Exploratory research to examine the health impact of scams and fraud and the current knowledge and systems in the police and partner agencies for targeting and delivering victim support services Read more Co-POWeR - Consortium on Practices of Wellbeing and Resilience in BAME Families and Communities Read more Testing the effects of food product placement on customers’ visual attention and intended product purchases: a randomised trial in a virtual supermarket setting (Phase II) Read more Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways (STIMULATE) Read more ADOPTED: Mapping pathways of response for adult and child victim-survivors of domestic abuse in Southampton City Read more ENRICHER – involvEment iN the cRiminal justice system & the ImpaCt on women’s Health dorsEt & hampshiRe Read more CHAMPION: Children whose mothers are involved in the criminal justice system in Dorset & Hampshire: developing health and social care outcome indicators Read more How to Support children with cancer, or another serious condition, and their parents during the COVID-19 outbreak Read more Developing a web resource to support families bereaved during COVID-19 Read more Mental health Burden of Increased Living costs: Local Support (My BILLS) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Young people’s barriers to mental health services Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: Early detection of chronic liver disease in community settings Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Comparing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): systematic review and network meta-analysis Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: ADAPT: The cross-sector implementation of NICE-recommended CBT-based interventions for young people in care: Framework Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: DIGNIFIE Gender-seNsitive evaluatIon oF a prIson alternativE Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: High Harm Domestic Violence Perpetrator Pilot Evaluation Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: The Gateway Study a randomised controlled trial, economic and qualitative evaluation to examine the effectiveness of an out-of-court community-based Gateway intervention programme aimed at improving health and well-being for young adult offenders; victim satisfaction and reducing recidivism Read more Social network facilitated engagement in people who are Homeless to address InEqualities in alcohol related Liver Disease - The SHIELD feasibility study Read more A national evaluation of Project Cautioning And Relationship Abuse (‘CARA’) awareness raising workshops for first time offenders of domestic violence and abuse Read more Wessex DIET: Determining the Impact of covid-19 on food sEcurity in young families and Testing interventions Read more Domestic Abuse and Life-Limiting Illness: identifying and supporting adults at risk (DALLI Study) Read more Prevention schemes for female vicitms and offenders in Hampshire and Dorset Read more GOODNIGHT Covid-19 to care-home-based vulnerable individuals Read more The feasibility of community pharmacies testing for Hepatitis C in people who inject image and performance enhancing drugs Read more Testing the effects of food product placement on customers’ visual attention and intended product purchases: a randomised trial in a virtual supermarket setting (Phase I) Read more The Wessex FRIEND Toolbox (Family Risk IdEntificatioN and Decision) Read more Mental health hub projects Adolescent Resilience to OVercome Adversity: EmpoweRment and intervention development – the ROVER study Read more Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological treatment of ADHD in Pre-schoolers: a systematic review and network meta-analysis: the PANPAP study Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications

Long Term Conditions Long Term Conditions Theme The Long Term Conditions (LTC) Theme, led by Professor Mari Carmen Portillo with Deputy Lead Dr Dorit Kunkel, delivered a broad programme of research and implementation designed to improve the lives of people living with long‑term conditions and multiple long‑term conditions. The theme’s work spanned deprescribing, medicines optimisation, treatment burden, physical activity, service improvement, co‑production, and person‑centred care. A major area of impact is medication deprescribing and optimisation. The MODIFY project has significantly enhanced safety and quality of life for frail older adults by adopting a structured, multidisciplinary approach to medication reviews. It supports clinicians through training, tools, and collaborative working models, and is now embedded within wider system initiatives such as the Wessex Health Innovation Network’s Polypharmacy Action Learning Sets . Public engagement activities—including creative outputs like a deprescribing song—have helped raise awareness and encouraged culture change in medicines optimisation. Further medicines‑related research has identified ongoing risks related to inappropriate prescribing of anti-inflammatory painkillers for older adults and those with conditions such as kidney or heart disease. A GP‑focused risk‑identification tool was developed to address this. Another study highlighted that many people on disease‑modifying drugs undergo high‑frequency monitoring despite long‑term normal results, suggesting opportunities to reduce unnecessary burden and NHS workload. The Treatment Burden Study , involving more than 800 Dorset adults, showed that high burden is common and often driven by lifestyle challenges, appointment access, financial pressure, and complex medication regimens. Its follow‑on project, SPELL, produced short, practical measures for clinical use. The findings also informed improvements for Care Coordinators in Southampton, enabling them to better identify and support individuals struggling with their conditions while reducing demand on GP time. The theme optimised community‑based support systems, developing a Link Worker framework for social prescribing and piloting the LifeBoost app to guide people with LTCs to personalised resources. The European Optim Park project expanded access to Parkinson’s support via the REPISALUD directory, now used internationally. Policy influence is another key outcome. Research on COVID‑19, physical activity, and mental health has shaped recommendations adopted by bodies including Sweden's Health Technology Assessment Agency and the European Commission. Findings from Optim Park have informed NICE guideline NG252. Additional impacts include shaping national and international understanding of Huntington’s disease care needs, advancing person‑centred assessment tools such as the Living with Long Term Conditions Scale, and contributing to workforce development through the Wessex Academy of Skills in Personalised Care , which has trained more than 1,500 professionals. Finally, work on physical activity maintenance has expanded understanding of the barriers and enablers affecting digital health engagement among NHS staff, strengthening regional partnerships. Research projects ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more ADOPTED: Personalised social and self-management support for better living with multiple long-term conditions in the community (CO-ACTION) Read more Social Prescribing Link Workers framework: supporting complex needs of adults living with physical and mental health long term conditions Read more Evaluating impact of personalised care at service at service and system levels: Learning from the Wessex Academy for Skills in Personalised Care (WASP) programme. Read more Understanding barriers and enablers of using the Living with Long Term Conditions scale as part of routine care for people from under-served groups living with type 2 diabetes Read more PARTNERS II: Testing implementation and evaluation of a digital tool for multisectoral support and management of people living with Parkinson’s disease and/or arthritis. Read more Avoiding care escalations through targeted care coordination for people with multiple long-term conditions – a knowledge mobilisation project Read more Deprescribing and Optimisation of Medicines IN Older people with Heart Failure and Frailty (DOMINO-HFF) Read more Change in treatment burden among people with multimorbidity: Protocol of a follow up survey and development of efficient measurement tools for primary care Read more ADOPTED: Treatment burden in people below the age of 65 with multimorbidity in primary care: A mixed methods (SPELL) Read more ADOPTED: (SIFT) Sensors in Fatigue Tracking in Parkinson’s. Exploring the relationship between perception of Fatigue and the performance of physical activities in people with Parkinson's with fatigue using wearable sensors Read more Reframing responsibility through public empowerment: examining environmental cues influencing poor diet Read more Non-digital support for maintaining physical activity in people with long-term conditions – within Maintenance Of physical acTivity beHaviour (MOTH) programme Read more Digital support for maintaining physical activity in people with long-term conditions Read more Development of policy recommendations to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity and mental health in individuals with multimorbidity: a mixed method study. Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Understanding risk stratification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Development of a decision aid for offloading device selection for people with diabetic foot ulceratio Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Breast Cancer Choices: Evaluation and implementation of a digital patient-centred decision aid to support genetic testing in mainstream care. Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: MELD Read more POST DOCTORAL PROJECT: Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Testing the living with chronic illness scale Read more Medicines optimisation Read more Interventions to support physical activity for adults (MOTH) Read more MODIFY: The development and iMplementation Of a multidisciplinary medication review and Deprescribing Intervention among Frail older people in primarY care Read more PARTNERS Project: Development and implementation of a digital tool for multisectoral support and management of long-term condition Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: EnablExercise in Crohns: A qualitativE study to uNderstAnd the Barriers and faciLitators to physical activity and Exercise IN children and adolescents with CROHN’S disease Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: ExACT-CF: Exercise as an Airway Clearance Technique in people with Cystic Fibrosis – A randomised pilot trial Read more ADOPTED PROJECT: Happier Feet Read more OPTIM Park - Optimization of community resources and systems of support to enhance the process of living with Parkinson’s Disease: a multisectoral intervention Read more Improving support for self-management (WASP) Read more Mental health hub projects Understanding, addressing, and meeting the complex needs of people living with long term physical and mental health conditions: a qualitative study Read more Role of patient-assessed functioning as a predictor of health service use in patients with long term mental health conditions Read more Read our publications here Read more Publications Collaborative project: Improving review appointments for people with long-term conditions

cd5ab336-348b-44b5-a285-82d9866dca9c Adopted Project: ACCESS D: Advancing Community Collaboration and Engagement Strategies in Dementia Collaborators University of Southampton; University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; South Central Ambulance Service; University of Sheffield Project team Patricia Fuller, Andy Claxton, Helen Pocock, Nicola Claxton, Amanda Wollam, Daniel Blackburn, George Devitt, Sarah Fearn, Chris Kipps Start date 14 July 2025 End date 30 September 2026 Project summary Many people are interested in taking part in dementia research but do not know how to get involved, are unsure what participation would involve, or do not feel that research is for people like them. As a result, studies often struggle to recruit enough participants, and those who take part may not reflect the wider population. ACCESS D developed and tested a community-based model to make dementia research more visible, accessible and easier to take part in. Instead of expecting people to come into clinical or university settings, ACCESS D brought research opportunities into familiar community venues, with real-time support from South Central Ambulance Service research paramedics and nurses. The model was shaped through co-production workshops with public contributors and community stakeholders. These helped define the format, language and support needed to make research feel relevant and closer to people’s everyday lives. Early findings show that 71% of participants had not previously heard about research, 68% were interested in hearing about future dementia research opportunities, and 91% reported a positive experience of taking part. A quarter of participants were from ethnic minority backgrounds. This suggests substantial hidden interest in dementia research, including among groups often under-represented in research, and demonstrates that access and support are critical. ACCESS D shows that recruitment is better understood as a supported pathway from awareness to participation, rather than a single step. It also connects dementia research with wider questions about healthy communities, prevention, long-term conditions, digital inclusion, and the use of real-world participation data to understand who is reached, who is missed, and what support enables people to take part. What have we done with our new knowledge? The findings from ACCESS D are already being used to inform practice, support wider dissemination, and contribute to adoption and system learning. ACCESS D demonstrates that community-based, supported approaches can reach people who are not engaged through traditional routes. This helps research feel more visible, understandable and relevant, particularly for groups currently under-represented in dementia research. The work also shows that recruitment efficiency is not only about identifying eligible participants. It is also about creating the conditions in which participation feels possible. This has implications for how research pathways are designed, especially where studies struggle to recruit to time and target. The findings are supporting the development of community-based approaches to research delivery beyond conventional clinical settings. This includes exploring how trusted, community-facing services, such as ambulance teams and other outreach teams, could widen access, build research readiness closer to home, and generate practical learning about participation across different communities. ACCESS D is also generating useful pathway intelligence: who is reached, who progresses, where uncertainty or drop-off occurs, and what forms of support help people move from interest to participation. This has relevance for data-informed approaches to improving research access, inclusion and delivery. Supported by Public Engagement with Research funding from the University of Southampton, the project is also contributing to practical tools for wider adoption. These include co-produced visual materials to help diverse participants see themselves reflected in research, and a toolkit to help research teams design more inclusive and supported approaches to dementia research participation. Finally, the work is being disseminated through academic and practice-focused channels. The study protocol has been published as a preprint and submitted for peer review, helping to make the model visible to wider research, delivery and implementation audiences. What next? ACCESS D has demonstrated early feasibility and is now moving towards wider implementation and further testing. The next phase will aim to deliver the model across a broader range of teams, settings and communities, and examine its impact on progression into dementia research opportunities. A key question is whether this approach can improve recruitment to time and target in NIHR portfolio studies by supporting and reaching people earlier, reducing uncertainty and reducing avoidable drop-out. Alongside this, ACCESS D will produce co-produced visual resources, a practical toolkit and a training approach to support wider adoption. These outputs will help move the work from a single feasibility study towards a transferable model that can be used and adapted by other teams. ACCESS D has been designed to support future scalability and transferability across teams and settings. It uses existing trusted workforce roles, adaptable community settings and low-burden research activities with integrated co-production, allowing it to be implemented in different contexts while retaining its core principles. This gives it potential relevance beyond dementia, particularly in areas where research participation is limited by access barriers, uncertainty or lack of visible routes into research. Longer term, ACCESS D has the potential to contribute to a more inclusive and efficient model of community-based research delivery. It aligns with national priorities around healthy communities, prevention, long-term conditions, digital inclusion, research inclusion, decentralised delivery, improved recruitment performance, and applied research that can move from local need to wider adoption. Publications Mixed-methods feasibility study of a community-based model to improve equity and efficiency in dementia research participation: protocol for ACCESS D | BMJ Open

ARC Wessex is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research. We conduct research together with universities, health and care services, the NHS, charities, people and patients to improve the lives of people in our community. ARC Wessex 2019-2026 Two ARC leaders appointed Senior Investigators Helping older people get the right medicine Future researchers mark milestone Celebrating the impact of Dementia Fellowships - DEM-COMM Moving Beyond 12 Hour Shifts: How Evidence is Powering Change Have you forgotten me - bridging the gap with dementia diagnosis Read more NIHR ARC Wessex in numbers 200+ Members 100+ Academy members £18M Invested in research 155 Research projects

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4d75ba35-779f-4c29-9dd6-a4bbffb8ad71 Determining the effectiveness and outcomes of innovative interventions for people who have used stalking behaviours: An extension of the exploration of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP) Chief Investigator: Dr Sara Afshar Morgan, Associate Professor of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Team: Mrs Katerina Porter, Senior Research Assistant, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Dr Rebecca Harris, Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Ms Lana Weir, Senior Research Assistant, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Lisa Allam, Commissioning Manager, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Kirsty Butcher, Principal Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership, Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust Detective Chief Inspector Abigail Leeson, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Dr Andrew Bates, Regional Forensic Psychologist, South Central Probation Region (HM Prison and Probation Service) Rachel Windebank, Operations Director, STOP Domestic Abuse Partners: Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, University of Southampton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, South Central Probation Region (HM Prison and Probation Service), STOP Domestic Abuse. Start date: 1 April 2023 End date: 1 October 2026 Overview The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP) brings together policing, NHS services, probation, and victim/survivor advocacy organisations to respond to stalking in a coordinated way. Researchers at the University of Southampton are working with partners to evaluate MASP and understand how multi-agency approaches and psychological interventions may reduce stalking behaviours and improve outcomes for those affected. This programme of work spans multiple phases of research and evaluation, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to build a comprehensive understanding of how MASP operates and its impact. This evaluation is co-funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex, the Home Office, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Why This Research is Needed Stalking involves fixated, obsessive, and repeated behaviours that cause significant distress and fear. It is strongly associated with serious violence, including in cases of homicide. Despite this, there is limited evidence on how best to intervene with people who have engaged in stalking behaviours, particularly in real-world, multi-agency settings. Existing research on psychological interventions is often based on small samples and short-term outcomes. This project addresses this gap by evaluating stalking interventions delivered as part of a whole-system, multi-agency response. The MASP Approach MASP is a whole-system model that integrates: · Multi-agency case management across policing, NHS, probation, and victim/survivor advocacy services · Psychologist-led specialist interventions (PLSIs) for individuals using stalking behaviours · Use of legal and safeguarding tools alongside therapeutic support · Close collaboration between agencies to manage risk and support victim/survivors How MASP is Being Evaluated This research combines multiple strands of work to understand both how MASP operates and its outcomes. The evaluation includes: · Qualitative research with professionals and individuals who have engaged in stalking behaviours · Longitudinal follow-up of people who have completed psychologist-led interventions · Analysis of police data to examine reoffending and ongoing risk · Comparison of perspectives across individuals, victim/survivors, and practitioners · A planned health economic analysis (in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Sheffield) Together, these approaches aim to identify what works, for whom, and in what contexts. What We Have Learned so Far Over a 26-month period of implementation, MASP identified nearly 1,500 individuals using stalking behaviours across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Key findings include: · Individuals ranged in age from 13 to 87 at referral · Victim/survivors ranged from 14 to 87 · Stalking behaviours had typically been ongoing for several months prior to referral, with some cases lasting many years · Around 30% of individuals were offered a psychologist-led intervention · Children appear to be underrepresented in current data, highlighting an important gap for future work Ongoing analysis is examining whether engagement with MASP activities reduces further stalking behaviours. Outputs and Impact This work is already contributing to national policy and practice: Standards and Guidance Co-created standards for interventions with perpetrators of stalking have been developed with multi-agency partners and shared with the Home Office. These represent one of the first publicly available frameworks of this kind (available as a preprint ) Research Outputs: A series of papers are being developed, including: · A whole-system model of MASP (manuscript in preparation) · A psychological framework for measuring change in stalking interventions (available as a preprint ) · An evaluation of intervention outcomes, involving data linkage between police and health services · Qualitative research exploring lived experiences of MASP Knowledge Sharing: Alongside presentations at local, national, and international conferences, two animations have been developed as part of knowledge exchange activities: · The first animation outlines how professionals can work safely and effectively with people who have engaged in stalking behaviour, highlighting the role of psychological approaches and evidence-informed interventions. · The second animation provides an overview of the whole-system MASP model. The team also engages in public awareness activities, including participation in Stalking Awareness Week, with on-campus events involving practitioners such as Independent Stalking Advocates and police safeguarding leads to raise awareness and share learning. Policy Relevance · Findings are informing Home Office work on national standards and commissioning of stalking interventions. · The work also responds directly to recommendations from the super-complaint on the police response to stalking . Ongoing and Future Work The project is continuing to examine whether, and how, MASP activities reduce the risk of further stalking. Planned work includes: · In-depth qualitative research with individuals who have engaged in stalking behaviours · Exploration of how MASP can better identify and support children affected by stalking · Co-development of improved measures of behavioural change alongside service users · Continued evaluation of long-term outcomes following intervention Further Information For more information about this project, please contact: MASPinfo@soton.ac.uk Additional information about the MASP service can be found via partner organisations, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner .

26c4cdf6-472a-4d3e-94e8-fa2c11941202 Neuro Digital: From Attitudes to Strategies Principal Investigator: Professor Chris Kipps Team members: Dr Sarah Fearn, Dr John Spreadbury, Dr Rachel Chappell, Dr Corine Driessens Project Partners: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, University of Southampton Starts: 01 October 2021 Ends: 30 September 2023 Background The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way neurological care is delivered to involve greater use of digital technology such as videocalls, smartphone apps or online platforms. University Hospital Southampton (UHS) has been developing its own electronic personal health record and self-management platform called My Medical Record. This online care platform offers patients more control over their healthcare by allowing them to: access their clinical letters and appointments in one place message their clinical teams for advice read relevant information on their condition monitor and share outcomes. Data from the platform, however, indicates differences in uptake and use amongst different groups of patients and healthcare professionals. Existing research also tell us that there are still important issues to understand around the uptake and use of digital technology in neurological care and long-term conditions more generally. Aims and Methodology The main aim of the research is to understand how to optimise the use of digital health technology in neurological conditions ( multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or Atypical Parkinsonian Syndrome (APS), headache, epilepsy, motor neurone disease or other neuromuscular disorder, Huntington’s disease, atypical or early onset dementia ). This will include how to optimise the use of My Medical Record for patients at UHS. The research will involve three interrelated pieces of work or ‘work packages’: Work Package 1 will use interviews and focus groups with neurological patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to investigate attitudes toward digital health technology and My Medical Record. Work Package 2 will use surveys with neurological patients to investigate relationships between personal and clinical characteristics and how people use digital health and My Medical Record. Work Package 3 will use the findings from Work Package 1 and 2 to produce some strategies to support people with neurological conditions to use digital health and My Medical Record. The strategies will be produced together with patient, carer, and healthcare professional groups in co-production workshops. Outcomes The NHS has highlighted the greater use of digital health technology as a way to improve the delivery of care over the next 10 years. The findings from the research will help us to better understand how to promote, optimise and support the use of digital health for people with neurological conditions, including the use of My Medical Record. Taking Part If you would like more information about the study or are interested in taking part, please contact Dr Sarah Fearn via email at S.Fearn@soton.ac.uk or Dr John Spreadbury on 07876818404 or jhs101@soton.ac.uk . What did we find out? With regards to personal characteristics affecting use: We found that older age, lower education, lower income, lower literacy and lower patient activation* were all associated with lower digital health technology uptake and use and more negative views. * Patient activation is a person's level of knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their condition(s) We found that gender and health status were not associated with uptake, use* or views. * Exception of health status and direct contact with healthcare team when participant has a specific issue Whilst we found that symptoms associated with having a neurological condition impacted the use of digital healthcare, we found that people with a neurological condition had access to digital healthcare (e.g. the tech / internet connection etc) comparable to the general population. We also held three co-production workshops to identify strategies that could support or promote the use of digital health technology amongst people with neurological condition. • These were the suggested strategies: What difference can this new knowledge make? Understanding the attitudes towards, and use of, digital health technology for people living with neurological conditions, their carers and their HCPs allows us to identify areas where more support might help promote and improve use. Identifying personal and health characteristics associated with more negative views and / or lower rates of use can help us to identify those more likely to need, or benefit from, additional support. Co-designing strategies to help support and promote the use of digital health technology for people living with neurological conditions, their carers and their HCPs, allows us to create support mechanisms that have been co-developed with the users themselves. Why is this important? The number of people with a neurological condition is rising, with around 17 million cases in the UK. Approximately 4% of NHS funding goes to neurology care. The use of digital health technology offers an opportunity The NHS Long Term Plan highlights the use of digital mechanisms as key enablers to improve NHS care delivery over the next 10 years. The use of digital health technology has the potential to help reduce variation or inequality in care, make care more integrated or joined up, identify people at higher risk of poorer outcomes, and promote self-management. It can also support clinicians to be more efficient, freeing up time for the sickest patients. Identifying factors that promote self-management and well-being could improve patient diagnosis and quality of life, reducing care requirements from the NHS. Reducing unplanned GP and hospital visits could improve patient quality of life and reduce resources spent by the NHS. Identifying the frequency and impact of fatigue and ways to manage it could improve patient and reduce resources spent by the NHS. Our findings can help to improve support to people with neurological conditions to use digital health technology. It can do this by: Understanding the benefits and challenges of use Identifying those most likely to need or benefit from additional support Co-developing implementable strategies to support or promote use What Next? We will be using the findings from this study to: -Publish academic publications -Present at medical conferences -Present to groups of people with neurological conditions -Present to national support organisations -Present to ICB (digital transformation work programme); UHS (IT); Neurological Alliance -Inform the Optimising Outpatients project, which aims to create recommendations for the use of remote care in neurology outpatient services. We are continuing to analyse the data and disseminate findings to a wide audience.