Publish date: 11 December 2023
Last Friday (8 December), a new Liverpool headquarters for the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) was formally opened by Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
M-RIC is co-located with the University of Liverpool’s new Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) which was launched by Professor Chappell with the unveiling of a plaque to mark the event.
Pictured above is our M-RIC team.
Professor Lucy Chappell said: "It is a privilege to be able to open such an important research centre in the heart of Liverpool. Collaboration within the research sector is essential if we want to tackle some of the largest health and care problems facing the world today, and centres like this make that a reality.
“I particularly welcome the clear engagement and involvement of the community in this initiative. I am excited to follow what the organisation produces and see how it improves the lives of patients and the public."
The new M-RIC base is at Liverpool Science Park overlooking the Metropolitan Cathedral and it provides a space for researchers, data scientists, health professionals, academics, industry partners and service users to work together to address global and local mental health challenges.
M-RIC is part of the Government’s UK Mental Health Mission, funded by NIHR and the Office for Life Sciences and led by a partnership of the University of Liverpool and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Joining Professor Chappell (pictured centre) at the event to mark the occasion was Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, University of Liverpool Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Louise Kenny, University of Liverpool Vice Chancellor Prof Tim Jones, University of Liverpool Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Iain Buchan, M-RIC Lead Service User Representative Don Bryant and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Prof Joe Rafferty CBE.