The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Units (PRUs) informs the government and relevant bodies when making policy decisions about health and social care. Between 2019 and 2023, the NIIHR funded 15 PRUs covering a range of topics which included the Quality, Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit (QSO PRU). The PRU was a collaboration between the Universities of Kent and Oxford, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the Picker Institute and Hull-York Medical School.
Please have a look at our QSO PRU work QSO 1 – Quality Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit.
In 2024, NIHR awarded over £100 million to 20 new Policy Research Units (PRUs) across England. The Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) is leading the new Quality, Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit (QSO2 PRU) in collaboration with the universities of Oxford, Leeds, Bradford, and the Picker Institute.
Professor Julien (Jules) Forder at PSSRU directed the initial QSO PRU and in January 2024 began directing the current QSO2 PRU. Professor Ray Fitzpatrick was the Deputy Director for both QSO PRUs. We are all deeply saddened that Jules passed away on the 28th July 2024 and Ray passed in April 2024.
During their careers, both Jules and Ray were determined to produce high quality research evidence to inform health and social care policy decisions.
Professor Karen Jones will be the interim Director QSO2 and will direct the PRU to ensure the programme continues to produce high quality research that the government and relevant bodies can use with confidence. A new Director will be announced following a competitive process over the next few months.
The QSO2 PRU programme will build on the previous QSO PRU programme and will continue to consider quality being affected in multiple ways in the system, including service design, implementation and delivery; and according to the people who are supported or contribute.
The PRUs will be framed by four interrelated themes.
