Research into mental health and learning disabilities set to receive a boost

Research into mental health and learning disabilities is set to improve across West Yorkshire thanks to a £750,000 investment by three NHS Trusts in the region.

South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust, Leeds Mental Health Trust and Bradford Care Trust have set up a centre of excellence for research into mental health and learning disabilities – the West Yorkshire Mental Health Research and Development Consortium.

The three NHS Trusts have been working closely with four West Yorkshire universities (Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan, Bradford and Huddersfield) for the past 12 months to set up the consortium, which will be officially launched at on Monday 20th November 2006 at Fieldhead Hospital Education Centre, Wakefield.

It’s hoped the consortium will put West Yorkshire at the forefront of research into mental health and learning disabilities by developing new and existing programmes of research and working to attract greater investment in the field.

Steven Michael, Acting Chief Executive of South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust said, "Producing high quality, innovative research into learning disabilities and mental health will benefit local services and local people. South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust is looking forward to working in partnership with NHS Trusts and universities across the region to establish the consortium as a recognised leader for research and development in mental health and learning disability."

Catherine Johns, Head of NHS Research Infrastructure for the Department of Health will be among the speakers at the launch event.