With our funding, an Academic Centre for Healthy Ageing (ACHA) based at Whipps Cross Hospital is set to improve care and support for millions of older people in London. ACHA is a unique collaboration, bringing together clinical expertise and renowned academic research from Barts Health and Queen Mary.
Based within Whipps Cross Hospital, with strong local community links, research will take place in the ‘frontline’ of care. This means ACHA will produce high quality evidence relevant to patients in East London. Working with renowned experts in their fields, ACHA aims to improve services to better support healthy ageing locally and across the UK.
People are living longer, but not always with good health
Older people often suffer with multiple health conditions which generate complex healthcare needs. With one of the fastest growing and most deprived populations in the country, residents in East London also experience poor health at a much earlier age than those in more affluent parts of the capital, bringing about unique healthcare challenges.
Despite changes to NHS policy and practice to help improve the way care and support is provided, there are still gaps in the research and knowledge required to make the changes.
Putting healthy ageing research into action
In response, the new centre, made possible with £6.6m awarded by Barts Charity, will create a collaborative network of clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers and the local community to transform how services work for older people, supporting them to live well and independently. The centre will also work across the region to support and inform better clinical services through healthcare training underpinned by the latest research.
“ACHA presents an incredibly exciting opportunity, and one Whipps Cross is thrilled to be a part of. By embedding academic expertise in our existing clinical structures, ACHA will not only help us meet the needs of our local population efficiently, but also utilise their knowledge in setting a dynamic agenda for future research. Together, we will be able to harness the benefits of a Living Lab structure to create solutions that have genuine positive impact on patients, health and social care workers, and anyone growing older in North East London. ACHA will be the springboard for local innovation, with international impact.”Dr Mark Rawle, Consultant Geriatrician and Older Person’s Services Research Lead at Whipps Cross University Hospital
Leading the mission
Three renowned professors have been appointed to lead ACHA’s transformative research, education and training efforts.
Professor Adam Gordon MBE is a clinical academic geriatrician whose research addressing healthcare delivery in care homes has shaped national policy. He was previously Professor of Care of Older People at the University of Nottingham and will be joining the Wolfson Institute for Population Health’s Centre for Primary Care.
“We intend to establish a centre in this part of London that delivers some of the best care in the world.”Professor Adam Gordon MBE
Professor Liz Sampson is an internationally recognised clinical academic who focuses on conditions such as delirium, dementia and cognitive frailty in acute hospital patients. Her work aims to understand the complex interactions between physical and mental health in older people. She is joining the Wolfson Institute for Population Health’s Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health whilst continuing her work in Liaison Psychiatry for East London NHS Foundation Trust.
“By addressing these critical aspects of ageing, we can make significant strides in improving the quality of life for older adults.”Professor Liz Sampson
Professor Hamish Simson FRSE is a renowned expert in orthopaedics and trauma, with research interests in osteoporosis, impaired bone healing, novel cutting methodologies and stem cells for musculoskeletal repair. He is the first orthopaedic surgeon to be awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He will be joining Queen Mary University of London’s Blizard Institute.
“I look forward to leading research into maintaining mobility in adults and enhancing return of function after injury in older individuals.”Professor Hamish Simpson FRSE
Adam, Liz and Hamish will be joining ACHA in early Autumn and their expertise will be instrumental in ACHA’s initiatives and future plans.