Cambridge's Traumatic Brain Injury Team has been named as one of the winners of the NIHR Impact Prizes 2026. The awards celebrate researchers and teams who have made an extraordinary impact on health and care outcomes, transforming patient care across the UK and internationally.
Research to inform new guidelines for treatment of traumatic brain injury
Based at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Traumatic Brain Injury Team have developed surgical procedures and care guidelines that have improved patient care – reducing mortality rates by 20% and helping two-thirds of severe traumatic brain injury survivors achieve independence.
Led by Professor Peter Hutchinson, the team supports the care of 12,000 patients nationally every year.
The Cambridge Traumatic Brain Injury Team are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a NIHR Impact Prize, at a significant milestone in the NIHR journey. For the team, the ambition has been to improve the lives of patients with traumatic brain injury and to support families through this life changing event. The prize recognises the efforts of patients, carers, researchers and clinicians who have worked together to develop and implement treatments and innovative HealthTech that save lives, improves symptoms and helps more people to return to independent living.
We are especially grateful as the prize recognises the impact and the importance our research is having on patients and their families both in the UK and around the world in high, middle and low income countries.
Professor Peter Hutchinson
James Piercy suffered a severe brain injury following a road accident in 2011 and now leads Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) at the HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Brain Injury, which is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Having moved from being treated by the team to working with them, I know first-hand the importance of the work of Cambridge's traumatic brain injury group. This award is wonderful recognition of their work and its impact on saving lives around the world.
James Piercy
The 11 winners of the 2026 NIHR Impact Prizes comprises seven research teams or individuals and four early-career researchers alongside nine commended entrants, illustrating the depth of talent, dedication, and life-changing work taking place today across the UK’s research sector.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said:
"I offer my warmest congratulations to all the excellent winners and commended teams of this year’s NIHR Impact Prizes, who have all made a crucial contribution to changing lives through research."