Bradford professor part of new health equality partnership
Professor Mahendra Patel OBE from the University of Bradford has spearheaded a landmark partnership focused on achieving healthcare equality in Northern Ireland.
This collaboration aims to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across communities in Northern Ireland, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, equity, and meaningful engagement with diverse populations.
The innovative partnership between the Centre for Research Equity at the University of Oxford and the Health and Social Care Research and Development (HSC R&D) Division in Northern Ireland, is supported by the Department of Health Northern Ireland and key health and social care agencies. Its goal is to promote inclusive patient and public involvement and participation in research.
The Northern Ireland Partnership was officially launched at a ministerial event held in the Parliament Buildings at the Stormont Estate in Belfast by the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt.
Bringing groups together
Professor Patel, director of the University of Oxford's Centre for Research Equity (CfRE), said: "This exciting and innovative partnership is historical and transformational in bringing together key health and care organisations in Northern Ireland through a Research Equity Manifesto developed by the various stakeholders.
“We want to ensure that research outcomes are applicable, safe and beneficial to all and not just the majority, and that starts with listening to and engaging with the very people we serve, especially including those who are often disproportionately affected by poorer health and health outcomes.
“We aim to do this through the manifesto and by helping to bring diverse groups, health and care organisations, academia, pharmaceutical industry and patient and public voices all together.”
Professor Patel was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bradford in July 2023 and was given an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours for services to pharmacy and is Professional Advisor to the Chief Pharmaceutical NHS England. He was appointed as independent expert member of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board earlier this year.
He was also part of the award-winning team behind pioneering national clinical trials in primary care during the pandemic.
Professor Patel was the national pharmacy, inclusion and diversity lead on the large-scale PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC clinical trials which won the Best Public Sector Innovation category at this year’s world prestigious Prix Galien UK Awards for the team’s work during Covid.