UCLP-Primrose research

This mixed-methods study examined the implementation of UCLP-Primrose, a care innovation aimed at reducing physical health inequalities in patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Health inequalities for people with SMI are worsening, and translating evidence-based interventions into practice remains challenging. We aimed to explore whether UCLP-Primrose could be implemented as part of service transformation, identifying key implementation processes, barriers, and facilitators within the NHS. 

Below we have pulled together the outputs from our research into UCLP-Primrose implementation (2021-2026). This includes links to papers, our policy brief and a list of conferences. 

Papers

• Bridging the gap in the UK’s NHS integrated care systems: Insights from a mixed methods implementation evaluation of UCLP-PRIMROSE, a care innovation to reduce physical health inequalities for patients with severe mental illness. (Submitted - awaiting pre-print)

Report

Read our research report for UCLP-Primrose (2022-2024): 

Check out our infographic based on the research, for steps to implement UCLP-Primrose: Link UCLP-Primrose infographic.pdf

Policy

Read our policy brief for UCLP-Primrose (2022-2024): 

Blogs

• Primrose Study: Supporting the whole person: Why physical health matters for patients with severe mental illness
• Public involvement in multiple long term conditions research – what do we need to think about?
  • See our infographic
• People designing healthcare – why it’s important, especially in those with multiple long-term conditions, and what we’re doing about it?

Seminars / presentations

• Living well with severe mental ill-health: learning from implementing physical health support in different regional contexts. NIHR Three Research Schools Seminar Series. (Oliver, Shaw, Russell, Steward & Pina, 2025).
• Using the Equality Impact Assessment with UCLP-Primrose research. Centre for Ethnic Health Research. (Shaw & Khurshid, 2022)

Conferences

• Equality at the juncture of physical and mental health: where and how is change needed. UCL Behaviour Change Conference, Lisbon. (April 2025)
• UCLP-PRIMROSE. ARC National Programme in Multiple Long Term Conditions Dissemination Event, Leicester. (March 2025).
• The UCLPartners-PRIMROSE pathway​ - Reducing physical health inequalities in severe mental illness. Results from implementing UCLPartners-PRIMROSE, a care innovation for patients in London and Yorkshire/Humber. Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress, Edinburgh. (June 2024).
• UCLP-PRIMROSE ARC East Midlands Showcase, Leicester. (May 2024).
• The UCLP-Primrose project: transformative care – are we looking at it right? Qualitative Health Research Network Conference, Online. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-UCL-QHRN2024.43. (February 2024).
• Evaluation of an integrated primary care service to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people with severe mental illness. ARC North Thames Showcase, London. (2023)

Coming up! We have been accepted to present at:

• From Evidence to Action: Our learning from implementation and non-implementation of an integrated care model for people with severe mental ill-health (UCLP-PRIMROSE) in three regions of England. European Implementation Event, Newcastle. (June 2025)
• Learning from across sector collaborative implementation of a holistic care model for people with severe mental ill-health. Health Services Research UK Conference, Newcastle. (July 2025)
• A mixed-methods implementation evaluation of UCLP-PRIMROSE - a care innovation to reduce physical health inequalities in patients with severe mental illness. RCGP Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025, Newport. (October 2025)

Funding statement

This research was is independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ARC East Midlands and ARC North Thames. The views expressed in this publication and output materials are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health Research and Care or the Department of Health and Social Care.

News

UCLP-PRIMROSE training is now included in NHS England guidance for integrated care systems, for Improving the physical health of people living with severe mental illness. The online training can now be accessed via the NHS Learning Hub.

Pip spoke about Primrose on the podcast "Chronic Conversations: Research on multiple conditions". 

The team submitted evidence related to UCLP-PRIMROSE to the UK Parliament’s call for evidence – “Community Mental Health Services” (04/02/2025 - Osborn, Shaw, Khurshid)

Primrose was highlighted by Professor Marian Knight during the afternoon keynote lecture at the Multiple Long-Term Conditions Cross-NIHR Collaboration Launch which took place in November 2024.

The team published the paper for research into Primrose-A: Shaw, P., Mifsud, A., Osborn, D., Nahata, N., Hall, C., Prenelle, I., & Lamb, D. (2024) An integrated primary care service to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people with severe mental illness: Primrose-A - thematic analysis of its acceptability, feasibility, and implementation. BMC Health Serv Res. 28;24(1):255. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10628-6.

Want to read more?

Navigating the UCLP-Primrose tabs:  

• The UCLP-Primrose (2021-2026) tab provides an overview of what UCLP-Primrose is, where this service is being delivered, research evaluating the service, and news on connected project WHOLE-SMI.  
• The UCLP-Primrose pathway tab introduces the UCLP-Primrose diagram of how support is offered to patients through the service.
• The WHOLE-SMI tab provides details of a sister project to UCLP-Primrose, based at Newcastle University.
• The Primrose-A (2019-2022) tab documents the co-produced adaption to Primrose (Primrose-A) which was delivered and evaluated in London.
• The Primrose (2010-2019) tab provides information about the research underpinning UCLP-Primrose, including the development of Primrose and the findings from the Primrose clinical trial.