CHE researchers recognised in NIHR awards
Posted on Tuesday 29 September 2026
CHE researchers Shainur Premji and Simon Walker have been recognised with the Violence Research Group at Cardiff University for research evaluating Violence Prevention Teams (VPTs) in hospital emergency departments.
The team is one of seven research teams recognised in the NIHR Impact Prizes 2026, which honours those who have delivered transformative contributions to the health and wealth of our nation.
Preventing violence
Violence has lasting consequences for individuals and costs the NHS more than £4.5 billion each year in treating injuries.
VPTs are based in hospital emergency departments and work with seriously injured patients, providing support that addresses the causes of the violence they have experienced as well as related vulnerabilities.
The research conducted by the group evaluated the impact of VPTs and found that patients receiving their support had improved health outcomes. They were significantly less likely to return to emergency departments and also made fewer visits to their GP.
Reaching underserved groups
Patient and public involvement was an important part of the research, helping the team reach people who can be underserved by existing services, including people from ethnic minority communities, people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic violence.
The findings demonstrated how embedding violence prevention support within emergency departments can improve access to care while helping to prevent further violence.
VPTs are now a permanent fixture in emergency departments, where they continue to provide support to patients.