A top Government adviser has praised the outstanding quality of Keele’s health and social care research and the strong links with NHS and care partners during a visit to the School of Medicine.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care, visited the School to learn more about the pioneering research taking place there in the fields of primary, community and social care.

During her visit Professor Chappell had a series of meetings with academics, patient representatives and NHS partners, discussing wide-ranging issues including research, growing academic capacity, and building strong and sustainable partnerships.

Keele’s excellence in primary care research was highlighted this year when Professor Christian Mallen, Head of the School of Medicine, was appointed as the new Director of the NIHR School of Primary Care Research.

The School was also recognised as one of the best in Europe for rheumatology research by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), which awarded Keele the status of Centre of Excellence.

Professor Chapell said: “I would like to thank Keele University’s School of Medicine for showing me their thriving and innovative group committed to primary care research. The work taking place at Keele sums up the best of what NIHR is doing, with joined-up working by those that are passionate about research for all, delivering for those in need.

“My visit has highlighted the collaboration of senior leaders at Keele, the trail-blazing cross-silo approach from the ICS/ICP team, the energy of the clinical academic emerging leaders, and the patient and student involvement. It has been so useful to visit in person to get a real sense of how this research is happening on the ground, and to hear at first-hand about how the teams are working to tackle the important challenges in these areas.”

Professor Mallen added: “The NIHR is committed to funding research that makes an impact to the lives of people seeking health and care in primary care and community settings. We were delighted to welcome Professor Chappell to showcase our team and partners and look forward to working closely with the NIHR and DHSC in the future. We would like to thank Professor Chappell for taking time to visit us at Keele.”