News

One of the UK’s leading social care research institutes faces an uncertain future following the NHS Executive’s decision to stop funding its work, writes Derren Hayes.

From July, the NHSE will terminate the Tizard Centre’s £700,000 a year grant because of 'reorganisation' within the NHS. The grant, which used to be provided through the South East Thames Regional Health Authority, accounts for around half its annual budget.

The centre, part of the University of Kent in Canterbury, may have to reduce its research work and cut some of its 17 staff as a result of losing the funding. Several posts have already not been refilled, planned posts discontinued and some contracts threatened.

The 20-year-old centre does research into learning difficulties, mental health and older people, and offers professional development courses.

Paul Cambridge, senior lecturer in learning disability at the centre, said attempts to find alternative long-term funding had so far failed, but that the university had agreed to give short-term support.

He said: ‘The centre may have to look at developing its consultancy work, and doing more teaching to generate income which will risk our research activities.

‘All our research is applied and will inform the management and practice of community care, but this could have long term impacts on our understanding of the field.’