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Mersey Care expands focus on global mental health inequalities research


From 1 October 2024, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Research and Innovation Director and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist Nusrat Husain will transition into a new role and dedicate his efforts and expertise on leading Mersey Care’s Global Centre for Research on Mental Health Inequalities. The Centre brings together academics, clinical practitioners, patients, carers and the wider public from different research disciplines and global regions to advance research and learning to address mental health inequalities.

From 1 April 2025 Professor Husain will move away from his position as Co-Director for the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC). He will continue to work with M-RIC and lead on addressing inequalities so that no one is left behind.

During Professor Husain’s tenure as Research and Innovation Director, Mersey Care has made some notable appointments and seen a significant rise in research studies and trials, with active clinical trials currently taking place in areas such as psychosis, mood disorders, perinatal, COVID, telehealth and more. Professor Husain has played a pivotal role alongside his fellow Co-Director, Professor Iain Buchan of the University of Liverpool in the development and capacity building of M-RIC, Mersey Care and the University of Liverpool’s groundbreaking research facility in Liverpool.

With Professor Husain’s support M-RIC has increased its partnerships with service users and carers, academia, grass-roots community groups, industry, healthcare providers and others and significant progress is evident across its six research work packages. M-RIC’s research work packages include the development of the UK’s first mental health secure data environment to increase research activities, new digital and clinical innovations to support mental health, new research trials to study and treat early psychosis, and improving population health through innovative ways of joined up working across the health and care system.

In his own words, Nusrat expressed immense gratitude for his time as Director of Research and Innovation at Mersey Care, stating, “It has been an honour to contribute to such a transformative organisation. I look forward to continuing this journey of reducing inequalities and improving mental health care locally, nationally and globally.”

Dr Noir Thomas commented “Professor Husain’s leadership and dedication have ensured the Trust Research and M-RIC is on a firm foundation for continued success, making significant strides in mental health research and advocacy. I wish him every success in his leadership of the Global Centre for research on Mental Health Inequalities to bring innovative perspectives to address disparities in mental health care on a global scale.”

The recruitment process for a new Director of Research and Innovation at Mersey Care will take place in the coming weeks.

 

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