NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Paediatrics and Child Health
Transforming child health through technology and innovation
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Paediatrics and Child Health is one of the 14 HRCs in England.
The 14 HRCs were funded for five years in 2024 to accelerate the development of healthcare technologies to improve the effectiveness and quality of NHS health and care services.
OUR MISSION
We aim to transform the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families by accelerating the development and adoption of effective healthcare technologies
OUR ETHOS
Our work is grounded in meaningful partnerships with children, young people, families, industry experts, academics, and healthcare professionals to ensure all voices are heard
Our Impact
2018 – 2026
£18.1 million
leveraged in funding
25
PhD students supported
203
interviews and workshops with families and stakeholders
117
peer-reviewed publications
Research Themes
Our work is focussed on five research themes, led by expert clinicians.
Each theme aims to deliver health technologies for children, young people, and their families across the early life course (birth – 25 years).
EARLY LIFE
Preventing pre-term birth and birth-related brain injury
LONG-TERM CONDITIONS
Long-term conditions and rare diseases in childhood
TRANSITION
Safe and effective transition from paediatric to adult healthcare
MIND-BODY INTEGRATION
Simultaneously supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing
cross-cutting theme
CHILD HEALTH AI NETWORK
Using artificial intelligence and machine learning in the NHS
cross-cutting theme
Involving Children and Young People
Ensuring the voices of children, young people, and their families remain at the centre of innovation is one of our founding principles.
OUR PPIE WORK
Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) involves carrying out research ‘with’ or ‘by’ patients or members of the public
STRATEGIES
We have developed two strategies outlining our approach to PPIE and creating a more inclusive research environment
Training & Education
Our team deliver a leading education programme, which includes:
KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
Our Knowledge Centre provides free access to an up-to-date database of best practice guides and resources for those developing technologies for paediatrics and child health
TRAINING PROGRAMME
Our bespoke Elevate2Innovate training programme is designed for PhD students and early career researchers who are connected with the NIHR HRC in Paediatrics and Child Health
PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
2-3 December 2026
In Person & Online
Our team are collaborating with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to deliver the inaugural Paediatrics and Child Health Technology Conference!
Work With Us
We work with industry experts, businesses, healthcare professionals, researchers, charities, as well as children, young people, and their families.
SUPPORT WE OFFER
We offer a range of services to support paediatric technology development
COLLABORATE WITH US
Get in touch to tell us about your ideas for innovation
