Welcome to the NIHR Policy Research Unit in palliative and end of life care

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in palliative and end of life care exists to support policy makers to improve care, and reduce inequalities, for children and adults affected by life-limiting illnesses, and their families and carers, including into bereavement. The Director of the Policy Research Unit is Professor Katherine Sleeman, and the co-Director is Professor Fliss Murtagh (University of Hull).

The NIHR funds, enables, and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth. This NIHR Policy Research Unit (PRU) is part of the NIHR and hosted by King’s College London in collaboration with the University of Hull, Lancaster University, the University of Leeds, and the University of Cambridge. Established in January 2024, the Policy Research Unit in palliative and end of life care is funded by the NIHR’s Policy Research Programme for three years. 

The NIHR Policy Research Unit in palliative and end of life care (also known as PRU-PEOLC) delivers a core programme of policy research, as well as provides a Rapid Response facility for policymakers that delivers timely, high-quality evidence summaries to improve palliative and end of life care. The NIHR PRU-PEOLC also delivers findings directly to users of the research (including policymakers, practitioners, service users, and community groups) through outputs including briefings, reports, workshops, public events, and symposia. The three priority areas for research are: (1) Access and Equity; (2) Quality and Personalisation; (3) Sustainability.

The NIHR PRU-PEOLC has assembled a world-leading, expert team that includes researchers and public partners from five universities, with expertise in palliative and end of life care, public involvement, and a wide range of research methods vital to answer policy questions. The team have a strong track record of delivering impactful research, and have capacity and agility to respond to policy needs.

NIHR Policy Research Units are composed of experts and researchers who undertake policy research providing evidence to support national policy making in England through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB). The NIHR has awarded £100 million over five years to 20 PRUs across England that provide evidence to respond to new and emerging policy needs.

People

Director

• Professor Katherine Sleeman (King's College London)

Co-Director

• Professor Fliss Murtagh (University of Hull)

Co-applicants and collaborators

• Dr Sabrina Bajwah (King's College London)
• Dr Anna Bone (King's College London)
• Professor Stephen Barclay (University of Cambridge)
• Dr Judith Cohen (University of Hull)
• Professor Catherine Evans (King’s College London)
• Professor Lorna Fraser (King’s College London)
• Professor Irene Higginson (King’s College London)
• Sarah Greenley (University of Hull)
• Professor Miriam Johnson (University of Hull)
• Mr Rashmi Kumar (PPI representative)
• Dr Peter May (King’s College London)
• Dr Sarah Mitchell (University of Leeds)
• Dr Mark Pearson (University of Hull)
• Professor Nancy Preston (University of Lancaster)
• Dr Christina Ramsenthaler (University of Hull)
• Professor Catherine Walshe (University of Lancaster)
• Professor Lucy Ziegler (University of Leeds)

Researchers at King’s College London

• Dr Chung Yan (Joanne) Ip
• Georgina Macdonald
• Emel Yorganci