NIHR HRCs
The NIHR has awarded almost £42 million to establish 14 HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs), hosted by NHS Trusts across England. The NIHR HRCs were launched on 01 April 2024.
The HRCs work with businesses, academics, healthcare professionals, and patients to support the development and adoption of medical devices, diagnostics, and digital technologies.
The NIHR HRC in Paediatrics and Child Health is hosted by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and is the only HRC dedicated to children and young people.
THEMES
The NIHR HRC in Paediatrics and Child Health focuses on five core themes that aim to deliver technology-driven healthcare for children and young people across the early life course (birth – 25 years). Each theme is led by expert and dedicated clinicians.
Meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) is embedded throughout our theme activity.
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
CORE TEAM
PROF PAUL DIMITRI
DIRECTOR
Professor Paul Dimitri is Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Director of Technology and Innovation at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Paul has led on the development and implementation of national technology networks that focus on the development and adoption of technology for paediatrics and child health through both private and public sector collaborations.
NATHANIEL MILLS
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Nathaniel Mills is responsible for the operational activities and strategic direction of the HRC. He has achieved success in advancing cutting-edge child health innovation through multiple national programmes. As a trained nurse and former lead for the South Yorkshire Clinical Research Network, he leverages his clinical expertise and leadership to build cross-sector networks, championing an open, honest, and patient-centric approach to paediatric innovation.
DR PHILIPPA HOWSLEY
NATIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
Dr Philippa Howsley oversees our project managers and national programmes. Philippa has extensive experience as a project manager and researcher, with over 15 years’ experience conducting and managing medical and psychological research in academic, clinical, and educational settings.
DR GEMMA WHEELER
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Dr Gemma Wheeler is our Senior Project Manager, overseeing our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) and PhD programmes. Prior to joining the team, Gemma worked as a Design Researcher at Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University, exploring how to foster meaningful, creative collaboration between diverse stakeholder groups in health research.
JACOB BRANCHFLOWER
PROJECT MANAGER
Jacob Branchflower is our Project Manager for the Long-Term Conditions in Childhood and Transition themes. Jacob also leads on our collaboration requests and managing external enquiries. Prior to joining the team, Jacob worked at the European Patent Office, performing examination of patent applications for novel innovations in the healthcare, biotechnology, and chemistry sectors.
JESS MCNEILL
PROJECT MANAGER
Jess McNeill is our Project Manager for the Early Life, Mind-Body Integration, and Child Health Artificial Intelligence Network themes. Jess also manages our comms and leads on the Child Health Technology conference. Before joining the team, Jess worked in the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Clinical Research Facility where she managed a portfolio of studies covering infectious diseases, rheumatology, and gastroenterology.
