North of England Alcohol Team (NEAT) research partnership: barriers and opportunities to deliver research into alcohol related liver disease in the north of England

<ns3:p>Background Alcohol-related liver disease is a common cause of premature death, with higher incidence in the north of England and particularly in areas of high deprivation. Despite this burden of disease, research into liver disease has historically been delivered in other areas of the United Kingdom. THe North of England Alcohol Team (NEAT) research partnership was funded by the NIHR to improve the infrastructure for research into ArLD and in the north of england. Methods NEAT used a variety of methods to bring together stakeholders in ArLD to face-to-face and virtual meetings to identify current barriers to research, possible solutions and research priorities in ArLD. A dedicated public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) group was established to support NEAT and future research. An online educational resource was developed. Finally, online workshops including all relevant stakeholders delivered applications for further research funding for specific projects. Results NEAT used a variety of workstreams to achieve its aims. Regional meetings allowed face to face discussion as well as online conversations to identify current barriers to research in ArLD and potential measures to overcome them. Research priorities were confirmed and means to address research barriers were discussed. A PPIE group was convened, and terms of engagement agreed. A virtual research training pack was developed. Research questions were developed, discussed and prepared for future funding applications. We plan to investigate the value of community clinics to improve engagement with liver medicine. Conclusions NEAT brought together a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in improving access to research for people living with alcohol related liver injury. Infrastructure for research was developed including training resources and a PPIE group. This will underpin future research into ArLD in the north of England and more widely.</ns3:p>