Support and enabling health research in local authority: an exploratory study (SERLA)

Research question: What are the factors, relationships, and processes that contribute towards generating research evidence that is of relevance to local public health and shapes its practice? Background: In 2013, the public health function was transferred to Local authorities (LAs) with the responsibility for improving population health and reducing health inequalities. In a time of austerity, LAs need high-quality evidence to optimise the use of resources and implement effective changes to improve population health. Conducting effective transdisciplinary research is vital for tackling future public health challenges. LAs are suitably placed to create transdisciplinary teams due to the broad range of council functions influencing the wider determinants of health. LAs could play a key role in generating their own evidence-base by evaluating public services but the lack of resources and sustainable support infrastructure prohibit the development of rigorous evaluations and making them part of normal practice. The NIHR invest considerable funding to support NHS research and is keen to develop an infrastructure enabling LAs to become research active, but there is little evidence about what works within a LA environment. To fill this gap in knowledge, we will use two major public health challenges as exemplars which aims to provide insight into one LA (Southampton City Council, termed Southampton LA hereafter) public health response in relation to standard practice (childhood obesity) and a crisis (COVID-19). We will identify key mechanisms for generating and using research evidence within a LA environment to support the development of a research system to inform future public health actions. Methods: A qualitative study design will address the study aims using semi-structured interviews with a range of staff across departments in Southampton LA and community members. An interview guide will be developed to allow participants to reflect on responses to public health challenges. This considers the key people, organisations, concerns and other factors that influenced these responses, their views on the enablers and barriers for LA research, the use of research evidence in daily practice, and recommendations for a LA focused research system. A separate interview guide will be used for community members to explore current engagement and involvement with LA services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews will be conducted using online platforms such as Zoom or by telephone. Interviews will be audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Timelines for delivery: The study is expected to commence in June and end in September 2020, with a written report due October 1st. However, restrictions placed on LA activity due to COVID-19 mean that these timelines may need to be revised. Anticipated impact & dissemination: This study will provide comprehensive insights into LA actions in tackling public health challenges and the resources needed to create a research system across health and care systems within a LA. We will co-ordinate and host a national stakeholder event to disseminate what we have learned from Southampton LA and present findings at the Local Government Association (LGA) and Public Health England (PHE) conferences. We will also share our findings with local and national Public Policy colleagues across academia and PHE