Research and Development Annual Report 2025/26
Click the headings below to find out more about these areas of the annual report 2024/25:
Effectively disseminating outputs and impact of research
The research department continues to seek ways to ensure it disseminates outputs and impacts of research.
Our twice yearly magazine, Innovation, highlights research activities within the Trust. Each magazine is themed with this year’s editions exploring Data and AI and Impact. Articles are written by colleagues from across the Trust as well as sharing outputs from collaborations with other organisations to deliver research projects.
We regularly share testimonies from staff about their experiences of contributing to research via our website.
There have been 41 research papers published from research projects supported by the Trust.
In November 2025, over 70 delegates attended the COMIC conference bringing together researchers, clinicians and young people to share finding from youth mental health research delivered by LYPFT and our partners. We were pleased to welcome Lill and Srhya who spoke about their experiences as young people taking part in research.
Influencing national and regional agendas
The Research department continue to influence national and regional agendas. The work of the research department was showcased at a range of regional, national and international events.
| Continued to drive regional Dementia Rater training for the region, secured funding to run event and set up working group.
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| Part of Leeds wide healthcare collaborative for research, Sarah Cooper was invited to speak at Nexus event in Leeds.
Sarah Cooper participated in panel at LTHT Research conference in July on creating an integrated research system.
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| Research Development Forum 2 posters presented (YPAN and service user annual report)
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| Abi Wilson to complete ICS Equity Fellowship, Abi Wilson part of UKRD inclusion and Diversity working group.
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| The department provided feedback around changes to Patient Research Experience Survey.
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| The department worked with Trust Exec team, IG and HRA to resolve issues around sharing pseudonymised information to countries without DSPT; feed into HRA work on updating the IG information they provide to recruiting sites around IG assurances. |
| Join governance working group and work with Leeds place organisations to develop a co-ordinated approach to setting up commercial trials in the first instance. |
| Create bespoke plain English GDPR content for the Trust PIS template and R&D web pages, create bespoke Participant Information Sheet summaries with links to wider data protection information using the layered approach recommended by HRA. |
Actively engaging a network of key stakeholders
The results of the YPAN evaluation were shared at the COMIC Conference.
In 2026 the HEER Group celebrate their 20th anniversary Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – HEER 20th Anniversary and Spotlight celebration
Susan Guthrie, Principal SLT and Clinical Lead for research ran a session in December 2025 to bring together both AHPs and Psychological professions. This results in a yearbook for AHPs around evidence led practice.
Leeds Academic Health Partnership was Invited to September team meeting to consider Leeds inclusion principles, outputs of away day presented to Clinical Senate workshop.
The department took part in national Health Research Authority pilot on including diversity plans in IRAS application.
Members of the department were invited to visit NHSE to showcase diversity work of the Trust.
Sarah Cooper was part of National project around Research Culture with UKRD.
Creating a culture of research being core business
The department continues to strive towards research as core business in the Trust, supporting staff to explore their own research journeys, and highlighting how integral staff are to delivering research via our Research Heroes.
There are now over 30 Research Champions across the organisation.
On 12th March 2026 we held a regional Rater Exposure Event to support staff to with experience in carrying our rater scales with service users. This was held in response to commercial study requirements and aimed to increase competitiveness when expressing interest in these studies. 29 service users and 10 staff from 6 NHS trusts. As a result of the event a colleague from SWYFT gained rater status to help LYPFT deliver MINDSET. The service users who took part in the event expressed that they were pleased to take part in contributing to Dementia Research and that they got 1:1 time with clinicians. The department are very grateful for the service users and carers/family who gave their time as without them the research would not be possible. RDN funding boosts commercial dementia research capability | NIHR RDN
Developing a skilled workforce
The Mental Health Student Hybrid placement (MESH) programme is offered to students who have clinical placements with LYPFT and the 9th and 10th cohorts were delivered this year with 7 and 3 students enrolled respectively. There was positive feedback from the students ‘I loved the role play with the recruitment into the study’, ‘Thank you for the MESH Programme, it has sparked an interest in research and has been great throughout’.
AHPs have met regularly throughout the year to explore the evidence supporting best practice and discuss first steps in research. They are proud to present their first yearbook (add link) showcasing some of the projects and research completed by AHPs in 2025.
We will continue to develop our interests in exploring evidence around AHP practice working with our service users and colleagues. We meet regularly to discuss how to engage in research and innovation, to support each other with writing up and dissemination, and to encourage evidence-based practice. The benefits help our service users, our colleagues and the wider NHS. Please get in touch if you want to know more. Susan Guthrie, Principal S<, Clinical research lead susan.guthrie1@nhs.net
29 members of the organisation have attended the Research 360 Manager training over 6 sessions.
Page last updated: 6th Jul 2026 12:31pm