The annual awards celebrate exceptional research that advances understanding and practice within general practice and primary care. Papers are assessed for originality, scientific quality, impact, and their contribution to the reputation of general practice.
- The overall winner, as well as the Category 1 award, went to a study led by Professor Paul Little, former SPCR Board member and previous award holder. The study, published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, investigated nasal sprays and behavioural interventions for acute respiratory illness. This work builds on Paul’s earlier SPCR-funded study, Saline Nasal Irrigation for Acute Sinusitis (II): A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial, conducted through the NIHR School for Primary Care Research.
- The Category 2 and Category 3 winning projects involved Francesca Dakin, whose DPhil was funded by the NIHR SPCR, and Dr Emma Ladds, supported by a Wellcome Doctoral Training Programme award.
- The Category 1 Highly Commended paper research was led by Dr Sharon Spooner on the hidden work of GPs was funded through SPCR Project 573.
These achievements highlight the continued impact of SPCR-funded research across UK primary care.
References
- Little P, Vennik J, Rumsby K, et al. Nasal sprays and behavioural interventions compared with usual care for acute respiratory illness in primary care: a randomised, controlled, open-label, parallelgroup trial. Lancet Respir Med 2024; 12(8): 619–632.
- Payne R, Dakin F, MacIver E, et al. Challenges to quality in contemporary, hybrid general practice a multi-site longitudinal case study. Br J Gen Pract 2025.
- Barnard R, Spooner S, Hubmann M, et al. The hidden work of general practitioners: an ethnography. Soc Sci Med 2024; 350: 116922.