New Cross-NIHR Collaboration Established for Research on Multiple Long-Term Conditions

The NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation is proud to be supporting a new initiative for Multiple Long-Term Conditions research.

The Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) Cross-NIHR Collaboration (CNC) is a £1.95 million five-year programme funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

It brings together different NIHR funded infrastructure from across the country to tackle the research questions which matter most to people with MLTC, and their carers. This includes how people with MLTC can best navigate the healthcare system.

The collaboration is jointly led by Professor Avan Aihie Sayer, Director of NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Director of NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands.

The programme has established workstreams in three key areas:

Interventions and Prevention
Methodologies
Models of Care

Professor Miles Witham, our Ageing and Multiple Long-Term Conditions Clinical Theme Lead, co-leads the Interventions and Prevention workstream. Dr Jana Suklan, one of our Senior Methodologists, is a member of the Methodologies workstream.

Through this collective approach the initiative aims to optimise the use of existing resources, secure additional funding, attract both commercial and non-commercial partners, and enhance cross-disciplinary capability, capacity, and leadership in MLTC research.

For example, the methodologies workstream has recently awarded £125,000 to a research team, co-led by Dr Jana Suklan and Dr Salwa Zghebi. Over the next 12 months the team will use this funding to understand the impact of artificial intelligence tools on diagnosing mental health conditions and their affect on health inequalities for people with MLTC. This project is heavily rooted in patient and public involvement to help ensure the research is equitable and inclusive.

In England, around 14 million people are living with MLTC, which means they have two or more chronic illnesses. This poses a significant challenge for the healthcare system and for the wellbeing of those affected. Consequently, promoting and enabling research into MLTCs is a key strategic priority for the NIHR.

We celebrated the launch of the MLTC CNC on 27 November 2024 alongside public contributors, researchers and health and care professionals from across NIHR Infrastructure and organisations including UK universities, NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards. We were an exhibitor at the event which also featured Professor Sir Chris Whitty – the Chief Medical Officer for England – as one of three keynote speakers.

Find out about the MLTC CNC programme

Learn more information about the MLTC CNC funded projects