Manchester Integrative Medical Practice (MIMP) has been a research-active practice since 2017. With the support of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) North West Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), we offer opportunities for patients to take part in research which ultimately aims to improve their health and wellbeing. Patients do not have to take part in any research study and the care received by the patient is not affected in any way, should they choose not to take part in research. Patients always receive clear information about what taking part in a research study will involve and have the opportunity to ask further questions about the study.

Dr Maria Ahmed is the Research Lead at MIMP

MIMP is based across two purpose-built NHS sites at Moss Side Health Centre and Longsight Health Centre. The practice serves a growing list of approximately 15,000 patients with a significant proportion of patients with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The practice population falls in the most deprived decile and comprises 67.4% ethnic minority patients (5.5% Mixed, 33.5% Asian, 20.6% Black, 7.8% Other non-white ethnic groups). MIMP Facilities to deliver research include fully-equipped clinical rooms and emergency drugs/ resuscitation equipment at each site; centrifuge and secure, temperature-monitored fridges, freezers and storage spaces.

MIMP Research Team Dr Maria Ahmed is supported by the wider multidisciplinary team at MIMP, comprising GPs with a specialist interest in COPD, Diabetes, Cardiometabolic Medicine, Dermatology, Cancer and Palliative Care and Women’s Health; Clinical Pharmacists (including a Pharmacist prescriber) with specialist interests in asthma, diabetes, hypertension, lipid management and antimicrobial stewardship; practice nurses (specialist interests in asthma and diabetes); physician associates (specialist interests in mental health and women’s health); healthcare assistants; First Contact Physiotherapist; Integrated Health Worker, Dietician and Mental Health Worker. Many of the team are multi-lingual, engendering enhanced trust with patients. GCP-trained staff include three GPs; two pharmacists; two physician associates; two practice nurses and the practice manager.

Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network [GM IRN]

In April 2025, MIMP was awarded competitive funding from the NIHR North West RRDN to launch the Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network, in partnership with the NIHR School for Primary Care Research at the University of Manchester.

Why has the GM IRN been set up?

Evidence shows that both patients and GP practices benefit from getting involved in research. However, practices working with already underserved populations often do not have the time, energy or resources (the right funding or staff) to get involved in research. In addition, their patients often lack awareness about research, may struggle with language and cultural barriers and have misconceptions about taking part in research.

The NIHR and other research funding bodies are striving for ‘research inclusion’ to make sure that the results of research better support the NHS to deliver improved care for patients of all backgrounds. Researchers are eager to work with patients and their GPs to develop useful and relevant research together. 

What are the aims of the GM IRN?

The GM IRN is a partnership between researchers, patient groups and research-active GP practices serving the most deprived and challenging areas of Greater Manchester. The GM IRN aims to co-develop useful, relevant research to help our patients live longer, healthier lives and reduce health inequalities. We will achieve this through the Four ‘Cs’:

Co-creation

To co-create useful, relevant research in order to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes for our patients. Support researchers to ensure inclusive design across the research lifecycle – from developing initial research ideas and research questions; informing the selection of participants and data collection, through to its analysis and evaluating impact.

Capacity-building

To develop a network of research-active practices serving populations that are traditionally under-represented in health and social care research, harnessing economies of scale. Gather data and insights from Deep End primary care teams in order to inform NIHR policy to support sustainable practice-based research delivery.  As a GP training practice, support the next generation of GP Academic Clinical Fellows in leading research which is catered to deep end practices.

Collaboration

To collaborate with key stakeholders including the NIHR North West RRDN; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) GM and their NHS England Research Engagement Network (REN); commercial partners; local patient groups and voluntary care sector organisations to better engage our patients in research.

Consultancy

With the increasing use of AI technology and automation to manage demand in primary care, the GM IRN also aims to provide research consultancy for tech companies to ensure that emerging technologies effectively support primary care teams to meet the needs of patients with poor health and/ or IT literacy.

Who are we?

Dr Maria Ahmed is the Clinical Director of the GM IRN and Principal GP, GP Trainer and Research Lead at MIMP. She has acted as Principal Investigator for numerous studies in disease areas including allergy, asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes and obesity and has provided research consultancy for academic and commercial study partners. As a GP working in a ‘health inequalities and disparities’ practice she is passionate about engaging her patients in research to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Her substantive role as a GP leading on research delivery at her practice, combined with her former roles as the GM NIHR CRN GP Research Champion and NIHR GP Academic Clinical Fellow have granted her unique insight and experience into the challenge of navigating the provision of high-quality care with engaging her primary care team and patients in research, whilst respecting the needs of both academic researchers and commercial study teams.

Maria has a particular interest in patient safety and undertook a PhD at the NIHR Patient Safety Research Translational Centre, Imperial College London under the supervision of Prof Charles Vincent. She has led award-winning research in patient safety education, effectively implementing, evaluating and sustaining the regional ‘Lessons Learnt: Building a Safer Foundation’ programme for 1000+ trainees across the North West and has published and presented her work widely.  Previous national and international roles in patient safety include as Clinical Advisor on the Chief Medical Officer’s scheme, working at Bupa and the World Health Organization Patient Safety programme; Trustee of the Clinical Human Factors Group and Board member of the NHSE Primary Care Patient Safety Expert group. Maria holds additional qualifications in public health and healthcare leadership and was awarded a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2018 and the NHS Leadership Academy’s Senior Healthcare Leadership Award in 2019. Her former leadership and assurance roles include Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of the Quality Committee at a large NHS Trust; CQC Specialist Advisor and GMC Education Associate.

Professor Peter Bower currently leads the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, which is part of the NIHR School for Primary Care Research. Peter co-led the NIHR Rose National Evaluation Team (Rose NET). He is an NIHR Senior Investigator, and an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. His work has a focus on mental health, multimorbidity, and the evaluation of innovations in service delivery including effective ways of improving management of long-term conditions, with a focus on multimorbidity, the delivery of effective psychological therapies for common mental health problems, and the effective recruitment of patients to randomised trials. Peter collaborates with colleagues at a range of universities in the UK and internationally and his main methodological interests include evidence synthesis, trials and evaluation methodology.

How to get involved

Patients

Patients wishing to take part in research will be contacted directly by the practice if a suitable study becomes available.

Practices

If you are a practice which serves one of the most deprived areas in Greater Manchester (decile 1 to 3) and are considering becoming ‘research-active’ or already are, you are welcome to join the GM IRN. Please contact gmicb-mh.mimpresearch@nhs.net to register your interest.

GM IRN News

The GM IRN will be hosting a launch event in September 2025 inviting interested practice teams, researchers and patient groups. GPs and their practice managers/ senior admin will be reimbursed for attending. Further info will be shared soon.

GM IRN Member Practices

Our Partners

The University of Manchester

Beacon Medical Services Group

BARDOC

Beacon GP Care