Who are we?

Who are we

Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

We work in close partnership with other government agencies and research funders (both in Wales and across the UK); industry partners; patients; service users; public and other stakeholders.

We work together to promote research into diseases, treatments, services and outcomes that can lead to discoveries and innovations which can improve and even save people’s lives.

In April 2023, we launched an ambitious and wide-reaching three-year plan, Research matters: our plan for improving health and care research in Wales 2022 - 2025, will be delivered in collaboration with partners including R&D leaders in health boards and the wider NHS, social care, higher education institutions, industry and funders to drive improvements in health and social care research, support routes into research careers and to fund and organise research.

Key people

Carys Thomas, Head of Policy, Health and Care Research Wales

Michael Bowdery, Head of Programmes, Health and Care Research Wales

Dr Nicola Williams, National Director of Support and Delivery, Health and Care Research Wales

Helen Grindell, Head of Research Support and Operations, Health and Care Research Wales

Felicity Waters, National Head of Communications, Engagement and Involvement, Health and Care Research Wales