Welcome to our policy briefing repository. These briefings provide an evidence base for policy makers looking to access the latest academic research and expertise.
New roles in primary care
How can the implementation and integration of new roles in primary care be better supported?
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), which aims to add 26,000 new clinical roles within primary care, is a key element of the government commitment to increase GP appointments by 50 million. These roles are made up of established professions, such as pharmacists, physiotherapists and paramedics, as well as new professions such as social prescribing link workers.
Barriers to recruitment of internationally trained doctors to meet skills gaps in the NHS
To meet current skills gaps in the NHS, there is a need to recruit doctors from overseas.
Recent research from the University of Plymouth has identified some of the barriers to successful migration of doctors and offered some recommendations to ensure the transition to work of international doctors is safe, rapid, and supportive.
The importance of mental health in supporting the retention of NHS nursing staff
The COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on the mental health of nurses with a recent survey showing that 90% of nurses reported a higher level of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic (House of Commons 2020).
This policy briefing summarises work done at
Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) regarding the mental health of nurses in relation to retention of staff within the NHS.
Plastics and microplastic pollution
Evidence comparing the solutions
The magnitude of the global environmental challenge associated with plastic pollution was recently acknowledged by agreement among 175 nations, including the UK, to develop a legally binding agreement by 2024 – the UN Plastic Pollution Treaty.
How to be cyber secure at sea
Protecting maritime infrastructure from digital threats
As the maritime sector becomes more technologically advanced there is an increased threat of critical national infrastructure to be compromised, essential services to be
stopped, and both lives and livelihoods to be affected. The
Maritime Cyber Threats research group is looking holistically at the digital threats that affect the maritime sector.
stopped, and both lives and livelihoods to be affected. The