Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff have been awarded £2.5 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to conduct evaluations of local government
public health interventions.
The team, led by Professor Russ Jago (Bristol), joins nine other academic teams around the UK that make up the NIHR PHIRST scheme ‘Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams’. Each team will complete ten evaluations over the next five years.
The research team, known as PHIRST Insight, was first commissioned in 2020 and has now been renewed for a further five years. The PHIRST scheme is part of the NIHR’s Public Health Research programme that funds research that generates evidence to improve the health of the public and reduce health inequalities. It is open to any tier or function of local government across the UK, including the devolved nations – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
PHIRST Insight Director Professor Russ Jago (University of Bristol) said:
‘We are delighted that we have been re-funded to work with our long-standing partners at Cardiff University to conduct important evaluations of local public health programmes, as we are keen to provide the evidence that local authority public health teams need to make strategic decisions.’
Organisations such as local councils apply to the PHIRST scheme for academic support to evaluate a specific public health service or scheme. If successful, PHIRST works with the local government partner to deliver a robust evaluation of the intervention over a 12 to 18 month period. Each PHIRST evaluation is co-produced with the local partner, associated stakeholders and members of the public to make sure the research provides answers to locally important questions. Organisations are then able to use the findings and recommendations to inform evidence-based practice and policy decisions about each intervention.
Professor Adam Briggs, Programme Director for the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme, which funds the scheme, said:
‘The building blocks of health – things like decent housing, secure employment, clean air, and access to healthy food – are crucial to creating healthy places that support health and address inequalities.
‘The NIHR’s investment in the PHIRST scheme is a key part of how we work with local government to generate high-quality evidence on what works to strengthen these building blocks, helping local decision makers maximise their impact on how services and programmes improve population health and tackle inequalities.’
The team’s first ten evaluations covered a diverse range of public health topics from schemes to encourage more active travel methods such as walking and cycling; strategies to improve nutrition among older adults; and an initiative to improve educational outcomes in Scottish schools.
PHIRST Insight Deputy Director, Doctor Jemma Hawkins (DECIPHer, Cardiff University) said:
‘After a successful first five years delivering ten rapid evaluations of local government public health interventions, we are very pleased to have been recommissioned to continue this work with our partners in University of Bristol.
‘We are excited to work with a range of new local authority teams to co-produce impactful evaluations to inform local and national public health policy and practice.’
As well as local impact, the findings and recommendations are being used by the wider public health community. For instance, PHIRST Insight’s evaluation of a pilot scheme to introduce free school meals to all secondary pupils in London was the first such study conducted in the UK. It found that delivery of universal free school meals was feasible and acceptable to the students involved. This is especially important at a time when food insecurity and child hunger is increasing in the UK. The findings from this project were used to support further roll out within London. It has also included as evidence in campaigns to both the Scottish and Welsh Governments to encourage them to adopt a universal free school meal policy in their nations.
Similarly, an evaluation of advertising restrictions of less healthy foods in Wales has been included in evidence submitted to the UK government. Part of a growing body of work showing that these restrictions can help to address obesity and promote healthy weight.
PHIRST Insight are now undertaking their next evaluations, beginning with a free bicycle loan scheme in Suffolk and a programme to support workplace health and wellbeing in North Somerset.
Details of all evaluations conducted by NIHR PHIRST are available on the NIHR PHIRST website: https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/
The PHIRST DECIPHer page can be found here: https://decipher.uk.net/research/public-health-intervention-responsive-studies-teams-phirst/.
Call for new applications:
The PHIRST scheme is currently accepting new applications until 1PM on 3 February 2026. If you are involved with a public health relevant intervention commissioned by local government (and equivalent organisations in the devolved administrations) that is in need of robust evaluation, you can find more information here: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/public-health-intervention-responsive-studies-teams-phirst-suggestions-local-government-intervention-evaluations/97055
This article was written by Dr Ann Fitchett, Communications Manager for NIHR PHIRST.