About the Health and Care Research Unit

The Health Care Research Unit (formerly the Medical Care Research Unit) has been conducting high-quality health services research for over 50 years.

On

Aims of the HCRU

Our aim is to carry out research that influences health care, social care and third sector practice and policy for the benefit of service users and the public. 

We develop and evaluate services and technologies to measure the impact on user outcomes, service effectiveness and the wider social and economic effects.


Teaching and PhD

Our Masters in Clinical Research course is for people working, or aspiring to work, in the field of clinical or health-related research within healthcare, clinical research, academic or commercial settings.

 It is also excellent preparation for doctoral/PhD study. PGDip, PGCert, Masters or standalone CPD module level study is supported and as are intercalating medical students.

This course is for people working, or aspiring to work, in the field of clinical or health-related research within healthcare, clinical research, academic or commercial settings. It is also excellent preparation for doctoral/PhD study. PGDip, PGCert, Masters or standalone CPD module level study is supported and as are intercalating medical students.

Current PhD candidates

HCRU staff supervise PhDs in the fields of healthcare evaluation and developing and evaluating interventions for long term conditions. We work with colleagues in SCHARR to offer the best supervisory team for candidates.

CandidateTopicFunderSupervisors
Jane MansonModels of palliative rehabilitationNIHR Clinical Doctoral Fellowship
  • Professor Alicia O'Cathain.
  • Dr Paul Taylor
  • Professor Emeritus Sue Mawson
Matt GittusExploring variation in adherence to clinical practice guidelines in rare diseases using Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease as a model to improve the quality and safety of healthcare.THIS Doctoral Fellowship
  • Professor James Fotheringham
  • Professor Alicia O'Cathain
Gillian MartinHealthy lifestyle behaviours for adults with learning disabilitiesJersey Health and Community Services
  • Dr Liz Croot
  • Dr Chris Carroll
James BirdPeople with learning disabilities: Developing a way to measure their oral health-related quality of life.NIHR In-practice Fellowship
  • Professor Zoe Marshmann
  • Professor Sarah Baker
  • Dr Liz Croot
Zoe GuyThe use of qualitative research in rare disease RCTsNIHR Doctoral Scheme
  • Professor Steve Julious
  • Professor Alicia O'Cathain
  • Dr Matt Bursnall
Carolyn TaylorDevelop a new dietary intervention for people with spinal cord injuryNIHR Doctoral Scheme
  • Professor Alicia O'Cathain
  • Dr James King
  • Dr Karen Coulman