Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) and British Heart Foundation (BHF) have announced a significant £3m agreement to support cardiovascular research in Wales through funding for the National Cardiovascular Research Network (NCRN).
A new £3 million, five-year co-funding agreement between HCRW and BHF will transform cardiovascular research in Wales. This partnership supports the expansion of the National Cardiovascular Research Network (NCRN), led by Swansea University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, to unite researchers, clinicians, and patients in addressing critical heart health challenges. The initiative aims to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular conditions through inclusive, cross-disciplinary research and better data access.
The formal announcement brought stakeholders together at a launch event, which included expert voices and patient stories like Leigh Manley’s, emphasising the real-life importance of continued research. This event set the stage for inclusive, multi-disciplinary research collaboration across Wales, grounded in shared experiences and future-focused goals.
Cardiovascular research in Wales has faced challenges around fragmented efforts, under-representation of underserved communities, and limitations in cross-disciplinary coordination. This project directly addresses those gaps by funding dedicated staff to bridge research silos and actively increase diversity in participation.
By uniting universities, health boards, patient advocates, and experts, the network creates a platform for breakthrough research in prevention, treatment, and diagnosis. Data accessibility is also a major gain, with a focus on supporting researchers with better tools and information.
Personal testimonies, such as Leigh Manley’s, remind us of the urgent need for innovation. Diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in his 30s, Leigh now advocates for research that could lead to more effective treatments. The network’s expansion ensures that patient voices remain central to shaping research priorities.
This long-term investment is expected to deliver measurable impacts on healthcare delivery, treatment innovation, and patient outcomes. It sets a foundation for future studies and trials, empowering Welsh cardiovascular research to lead globally while improving lives locally
Professor Christopher George, Lead of the National Cardiovascular Research Network, said:
“This new alliance between Health and Care Research Wales and the BHF is so important. The commitment to fund the Network’s expansion shows real confidence in our vision for improving the lives of people with heart and circulatory disease. This award helps us put Wales’ population at the heart of everything we do, and will be the keystone for turning world-class research done in Wales today into the new treatments of tomorrow.”
Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said:
“The stories of people like Leigh Manley remind us why this investment is so crucial. Through this research, we aim to develop better treatments and improve outcomes for everyone affected by heart conditions in Wales.”
