About APEx
The Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx) is a multidisciplinary team within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Exeter, and recognised internationally as a leading centre for research and education within primary care. APEx is one of nine members of the NIHR School for Primary Care Research, committed to the delivery of impactful research, and has strong partnerships with the NHS and wider NIHR infrastructure.
Our vision is to develop, deliver, and disseminate internationally-leading, inclusive and impactful research to improve primary care and the health of the people it serves, alongside the delivery of high quality education. These activities will be underpinned by strong patient, public and service involvement and engagement, in a forward-thinking, diverse, supportive and collaborative environment.
Key contacts
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Professor Richard Neal | Director of APEx and Director of Exeter School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) |
| Professor Gary Abel | Deputy Director of APEx |
| Professor Alex Harding | Education Lead |
| Associate Professor Jane Smith | Lead for Training and Capacity Building |
| Calum MacLeod | SPCR Research Manager |
| Dr Sinead McDonagh | Early Career Researcher (ECR)/Mid-Career Researcher (MCR) Lead |
| Professor Rupert Payne | Impact Lead |
| Beccy Summers | Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead |
| Dr Tanimola Martins | Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture (WIC) Lead |
Research themes
APEx has five key research themes which seek to tackle the key challenges facing primary care today, in terms of important clinical problems and the delivery of health services. Our research employs a wide range of methodology, from evidence synthesis and qualitative methods through to large clinical trials and data science.
Education and training
APEx aims to establish the South West Peninsula as a national centre of excellence for primary care education. We are involved in various undergraduate, postgraduate, and established professional training programmes across Exeter University's Medical School with the aim to place research and evidence at the heart of primary care education. Find out more about the Education and Training programmes we offer.
