Public HealthChronic Conditions Is A High Priority For Swansea University, Wales
The Institute for Health Research, the research body for the School of Health Science, is proud to announce that Swansea University has given approval for the establishment of a new research centre with a strategic focus on the management of long-term and chronic conditions.
The Department of Health has reported that chronic conditions currently represent "a significant and exciting challenge for the National Health Service". Approximately 17.5 million people in the UK live with a chronic condition and it is expected that about 75% of all health care spending will be on the care of people with a chronic condition by 2020.
The Welsh Assembly Government has made chronic condition management a high priority and to accompany this has recognised the need for research on establishing what works in relation to the management of the conditions and their impact on individuals and communities.
The Long-term and Chronic Conditions Centre will have a clear focus on the research priorities highlighted by the Welsh Assembly Government and patient representative organisations namely those of health promotion and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and the promotion of independence leading to improvements in care which will primarily benefit the Welsh community.
Dr Gareth Noble, Director of the Long Terms Conditions Centre at Swansea University, said: "The centre aims to stimulate and support high quality research that will primarily benefit people living with a long-term or chronic condition, including carers and family members.
"Wales has a higher proportion of reported limiting long-term illness compared with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with a third of adults reported of having at least one chronic condition. This Centre will further cement the Institute, School of Health Science and Swansea University as leaders within the area of Chronic Conditions and Long-term illness. "
Professor Ceri Phillips, Head of Institute for Health Research at Swansea University, said: "The development of the Research Centre provides an important focus for the development of an evidence base to underpin policy initiatives and programmes in relation to the management of long-term chronic conditions across Wales and further afield. It will ensure that Swansea is a major player in what will become an important and challenging area of research against a backdrop of increasing re pressures and an ageing population."
Swansea University