CARMHRS (Coastal and Rural Mental Health Realist Study) V2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Coastal and Rural Mental Health Realist Study: what works, for whom, in what circumstances, how and why?
IRAS ID
333690
Contact name
Rebecca Hardwick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
WHY
Providing mental health services in remote coastal and rural areas (CARs) is challenging. For people who need services challenges include poverty, inadequate housing and transport, and mental health services that do not meet their needs. For service providers there are staff shortages, poor digital and transport infrastructure, and the need to provide standard services (e.g., emergency response) across large geographical areas.
WHAT
We will facilitate a community of practice to coproduce a guide to improving accessibility and acceptability of mental health services in CARs. We will use 6 qualitative realist case studies, with two data collection streams in each case study: one data stream situated in the NHS (this application) and one within the community (separate, non-IRAS application). In the NHS data stream researchers in residence (RiRs) will be embedded in NHS sites, with honorary contracts and following usual NHS governance procedures.
WHO
Three groups of people will be eligible to take part: 1. People who live in the coastal/rural area in question and have mental health problems; 2. NHS staff who provide support to people in group and 3. system/commissioning/senior leaders. Approximately 90 participants will be recruited in phase 2, and 18 participants in phase three - 108 participants overall.
WHERE
This study will take place in three CARs: Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICS, North East and North Cumbria ICB, and Lincolnshire ICB. There will be two geographical case studies in each CAR, based on a population footprint of approximately 30,000-50,000, which is roughly the size of a primary care network.
HOW
NHS staff will be observed by RiR in their normal interactions with one another in meetings. NHS staff and people who use mental health services will be interviewed about their experiences receiving and providing mental health support within a coastal and/or rural location. Interviews will be approximately 60-90 minutes in length.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
26/NS/0016
Date of REC Opinion
2 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion