What do we mean by research and Innovation?
Research and innovation mean different things to different people.
Research is about finding new knowledge that could lead to changes in treatments, policies, services, or care. Innovation includes invention of products or services, where new ideas are developed to solve problems, improve outcomes, save lives, and the best ones spread quickly for wider benefit.
The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) is tasked by the Department of Health and social care to fund research. Please click here to learn more: National Institute for Health and Care Research | NIHR.
The NIHR says that research can:
- Find new and better ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases or conditions
- Test new approaches that could improve the lives of people receiving health or social care
- Look at the costs and benefits of making changes in the community, for example, introducing exercise programmes or screening for cancer in certain age groups
- Help us understand how the NHS and social care services can run more efficiently
Research is one way that we can provide the evidence to improve treatments and care so that the people of Lincolnshire can have the best possible start in life, and be supported to live, age and die well. The Research and Innovation Hub is part of LIfE Lincolnshire Improvement for Everyone which strives to make continual improvements to the services received by the people that live and work in Lincolnshire.
Taking part in a project may not always directly help you, but you will be helping to improve treatments and services in the future. Research and Innovation takes place in many settings, for example GP practices, hospitals, your village hall, or your home, and spans across our life course, from birth to end of life.
Research has its own terminology or jargon. For more information, please visit Glossary | NIHR.
Please click on the options below to find out why research and innovation important to us.
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Communities
Research can give us a better understanding of our local population so that we can work together to maintain health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities.
Research and innovation gives our communities the opportunity to try new treatments or approaches before they are readily available.
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Staff
Research offers staff opportunities to develop so they less likely to leave. It can also attract new staff into the county.
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Finance
Research and innovation are funded and therefore can bring extra money into our organisations.
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Services
Research and innovation can help to provide the evidence for change to help us to deliver improved outcomes and experiences.
Policy maker and commissioners need evidence to support their decision making around delivering and transforming services.
Organisations that undertake research have better patient outcomes, reduced death rates and better staff satisfaction.
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Our county
Research and Innovation will help make Lincolnshire a better place to live and work by helping us to achieve our collective goals through continuous improvement. By increasing our involvement in research and innovation we will ensure that we understand what is needed in our county, which means we can influence local, regional and national policies so they are relevant to our communities.