NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance
Understanding the underlying causes of AMR and HCAI, identifying the best methods to improve antimicrobial use, their potential impact and their cost-effectiveness
About HPRUs
Each NIHR HPRU undertakes high quality research that is used by UKHSA to keep the public safe from current and emerging public health threats.
The NIHR HPRUs focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing, and play a pivotal role in maintaining and growing UKHSA’s scientific expertise and future workforce. The multidisciplinary centres of excellence also deliver responsive research to tackle emerging or potential public health emergencies.
About the NIHR
NIHR's mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR was established in 2006 and is primarily funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Working in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public, the NIHR delivers and enables world-class research that transforms people’s lives, promotes economic growth and advances science.
The HPRU in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance is a partnership between Imperial College and UK Health Security Agency. It has been funded by NIHR for a further five-year term from 1 April 2020 and builds on an existing critical mass of research conducted between 01 April 2014 - 31 March 2020.
The Unit’s Director is Professor Alison Holmes and its UKHSA lead is Colin Brown. Find out more about our people here.
The Unit’s current partners are:
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.
NIHR Health Protection Units (HPRUs) undertake high quality research that enhances the ability of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to use techniques to protect the public's health and minimise the health impact of emergencies.
The NIHR HPRU in Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at Imperial College London, started on 1 April 2014 and has now renewed five-year funding from 1 April 2020.
Our HPRU recognises the different skills required to address the threat of AMR and HCAIs, and it brings together researchers from a range of disciplines and professions (including doctors, engineers, epidemiologists, microbiolosts, pharmacists, behavioural scientists, economists, and nurses). Our approach to addressing HCAIs and AMR is via four complementary themes:
- Priority pathogens
- Precision prescribing
- Practice, design and engineering
- Population health and policy
Publication from Futurum Careers about the HPRU: how research fields are joining forces to protect healthcare systems.
