@ResearchWales Issue 4

@ResearchWales Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

The magazine to showcase health and social care research in Wales

Page 12

Celebrate with #TeamResearch The campaign bringing together exciting celebrations across Health and Care Research Wales as we look forward to the 70th anniversary of the NHS

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Health and Care Research Wales in numbers

An ‘international beacon’ of good public involvement

A snapshot of our first three years

Health and Care Research Wales’ defining role in the new standards for public involvement

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

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Contents

Calendar of events

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In numbers

Wales can shine

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Celebrate with #TeamResearch

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Foreword Professor Jonathan Bisson, Director of Health and Care Research Wales

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News

In numbers

Research news from across Wales

A snapshot of our first three years

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Funding

Wales can shine

Upcoming funding opportunities

Our defining role in the new standards for public involvement

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Celebrate with #TeamResearch

Calendar of events

The campaign bringing together exciting celebrations across Health and Care Research Wales

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

Foreword W

towards more growth in 2020-25.

elcome to the fourth edition of

building the evidence base to inform social care policy and practice.

@ResearchWales. This issue has a

celebratory focus as we mark Health and

Similarly, the transformation of the Support

Care Research Wales’ 3rd birthday. I’m

and Delivery service has been remarkable,

The prominence of research and development

delighted to see some of the achievements

underpinned by the commitment of staff and

in ‘Prosperity for All’, the Welsh Government’s

from our first three years highlighted in this

teams across the NHS in Wales. Building an ever

national strategy, recognises the quality and

magazine.

more efficient and effective service is critical to

scale of our efforts so far. Your commitment and

our global competitiveness and to conducting

dedication to carrying out world class research

high quality research at pace.

and making sure it makes a real difference is

It has been a privilege to work with the

what makes this all possible.

health and social care research community to oversee the creation of Health and Care

Of course, public involvement and engagement

Research Wales and to be its first Director.

is critical to doing the right research well. Our

I would like to take the opportunity to thank

We have made major progress in terms of

Public Involvement Delivery Board has been

everybody within the Health and Care Research

developing an environment that is fully

instrumental in growing involvement across

Wales community for their support and feel

supportive of research in Wales, both in

the infrastructure, and played a key role in

proud that we have achieved so much through

health and social care. Through our five year

developing the UK-wide Standards for Public

working together in a strategically coordinated

strategic plan we are making Wales a place

Involvement, launched earlier this year. Also

manner.

that is internationally recognised for its

three years old this year, our flagship platform

excellent health and social care research that

for engaging and enrolling the nation in health

I remain committed to health and social care

positively impacts the health, wellbeing and

and social care research, HealthWise Wales, is

research in Wales and hope to be able to

prosperity of its population.

setting itself up to reach ever more people.

continue to make a major contribution on my

Testament to this success and the sound

Involvement is also the cornerstone of the

Government on 31 July 2018. I look forward

foundations we have laid, was the renewal of

Social Care Research and Development

to remaining an active member of the Health

our Health and Care Research Wales Centres,

Strategy for Wales 2018-23, launched this

and Care Research Wales community and to

Units, Infrastructure Support Groups and

year after three years’ work. Tackling three

supporting its ongoing essential work.

Clinical Trials Units through to March 2020.

priority areas; home care, children in care

This has given us huge confidence in these

and dementia, it will focus on involving those

Professor Jon Bisson

teams’ quality and longevity as we look

using and providing social care services in

Director, Health and Care Research Wales

return to Cardiff University when I leave Welsh

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

3

N AT IO N AL CENT R E FO R MENTAL H EA LT H

NCMH during my studies and knew I had

Significant milestone for mental health research in Wales

have taken part in research that can be used

Over 10,000 people have now contributed to mental health research through the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH).

“We are thrilled that more than 10,000 people have given their time to take part in our mental health research. This is a significant milestone for our project, and we’re hugely grateful to the fantastic contribution from each and every one of our participants.” said Professor Ian Jones, director at NCMH. Among the 10,000 participants was Munzir Quraishy, a student at Cardiff University and one of the centre’s research champions.

News

“I heard about the research taking place at

P R IM E CENT R E WAL ES

to help. It’s amazing to hear 10,000 people to develop more treatments and support.

With 10,000 people signing up it’s great to think how many conversations have been started by this research.”

The study is still open to new participants and researchers are interested in hearing from people with a range of experiences.

Professor Jones added: “Our work isn’t finished yet and we’re looking for thousands more people, with and without experience of mental illness, to take part in this study through our website.

“In addition to this, we are also starting to collect more detailed information to enhance our understanding of mental ill-health, from the impact of sleep disruption on mood disorders to the complex causes of perinatal mental health problems.”

Antibiotic Management) study showed there is no meaningful benefit from the use of either oral or topical antibiotics for milder clinically infected eczema in children. Antibiotic use can also promote resistance and allergy or skin sensitization.

Under the heading ‘What does this mean for GPs?’ the article says ‘Avoid antibiotics for

Research changing GPs’ practice

mildly infected eczema in children and focus on educating patients and carers on using corticosteroids and emollients, stepping up potency if needed.’

PRIME Centre Wales’ CREAM study is in the

Research news from

top five practice-changing papers of 2017

The inclusion of the CREAM study in this

across Wales

according to Pulse, the leading publication

practice-changing article demonstrates the

for GPs in the UK.

impact that research taking place in Wales is having on the delivery of primary care across

Despite GPs currently prescribing antibiotics

the UK.

as a treatment for around 40% of eczema flares, the CREAM (ChildRen with Eczema,

4

To find out more visit bit.ly/2IqadAE

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

SEC UR E A NO NYM I SE D I N FORM AT I O N L I NK AG E DATA B ANK

Epilepsy drug exposure in womb linked to significantly poorer school test results Epilepsy research using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank has found that exposure to epilepsy drugs in the womb is linked to significantly poorer school test results among seven year olds.

Swansea University researcher Arron Lacey and the team studied mothers that had

sodium valproate alone, is associated with a

research using the SAIL databank as well

epilepsy, recorded the type of epilepsy drug

significant decrease in attainment in national

as analysing unstructured text in medical

that they were prescribed during pregnancy

educational tests for 7-year-old children

records.

and analysed their children’s school test

compared with both a matched control group

results as part of the study, published

and the all-Wales national average.

The team have already published several population-based studies exploring the

online in the BMJ Journal of Neurology, These results give further support to the

effects of epilepsy on social deprivation

cognitive and developmental effects of in

and the effects of epilepsy drugs, as well as

Routinely collected healthcare information

utero exposure to sodium valproate as well

prescribing trends in epilepsy and are using

from SAIL Databank and national school test

as multiple AEDs, which should be balanced

natural language processing (NLP) to extract

data at Key Stage 1, was used to compare the

against the need for effective seizure control

clinical data from clinic letters for epilepsy

academic performance of seven year olds in

for women during pregnancy.”

research.

Arron is part of the Prudent Healthcare

For further information visit www.saildatabank.

Research Team and the Swansea Neurology

com/epilepsy-drug-exposure-in-womb-linked-

Arron said: “In utero exposure to

Research Group which includes SAIL analysts,

to-significantly-poorer-school-test-results/

antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in combination, or

clinicians and academics. They conduct

DIA B ETE S RE S E A RC H U N IT CY M R U

Having worked closely on several clinical

“The JCRF has an excellent track record for

Swansea chosen to host UK Diabetes Centre of Excellence

studies for Sanofi, the JCRF was chosen

rapid recruitment and patient retention

to join the company’s Global Investigator

which is vital to the successful delivery

Network after repeatedly demonstrating the

of clinical trials. The vast experience of

ability to deliver a first class service, meeting

investigators in the Diabetes Research Unit

timelines from feasibility through to study

Cymru, along with their accredited laboratory

completion.

and public reference panel, enables a

Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

Wales born to mothers with epilepsy to the matched control group.

comprehensive service across diabetes Professor Steve Bain, Abertawe Bro

research.”

Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU) assistant medical director for research

“We look forward to working on the exciting

and development and clinical lead for the

pipeline of medicines in development with

Diabetes Research Unit Cymru, said: “There

Sanofi.”

are more than 190,000 people in Wales The Joint Clinical Research Facility (JCRF), in collaboration with the Diabetes Research Unit Cymru, has been chosen by Sanofi to become part of its Global Investigator Network as a new national centre of

living with diabetes. This is 7.3% of the

Read the full article www.

population aged 17 years and over – the

healthandcareresearch.gov.wales/news/

highest prevalence in the UK. Research into

swansea-chosen-to-host-uk-diabetes-

new treatments is vital and opportunities for

centre-of-excellence/

patients to take part in clinical trials of new medicines and devices is to be welcomed.”

excellence.

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

5

Researchers have repurposed a current cancer

P R IME CENT R E WAL ES

therapy, TRAIL, to find a new treatment for these

Nurse-led interventions to minimise adverse drug reactions for older adults in care homes

advanced cancers that are resistant to antihormone therapy.

Dr Luke Piggott said: “We believe we have demonstrated that patients who develop resistance to treatment will benefit from TRAIL therapy, as we have identified specific changes in the cancer cells from these patients, which mean that their tumours become sensitive to TRAIL treatment.”

Dr Richard Clarkson leads signalling and

WA LES C A NC E R RE S EA RCH CEN T R E

Potential new treatment for advanced cancers

stem cell research at the Wales Cancer Research Centre. His team of researchers at the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute tested TRAIL on tumour samples collected from cancer patients who had developed resistance to anti-hormone therapy. Their findings showed that TRAIL

A potential treatment for therapy-resistant

selectively killed cancer stem cells from

breast cancer has been uncovered by staff

these patients but that tumours that had

funded by the Wales Cancer Research Centre.

not developed resistance to tamoxifen were unaffected by TRAIL.

Up to 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will have a cancer driven by

Dr Clarkson said “Although we have more

oestrogen signalling and almost all of these

research to do before this new drug gets

women will receive anti-hormone therapy,

into clinic, TRAIL represents a very promising

like Tamoxifen or Aromatase inhibitors,

therapy for a population of patients where

to treat their cancer. Unfortunately, up to

there is currently very few options.”

40% of patients receiving these hormone therapies will develop a resistance to them,

Find out more at www.walescancerpartnership.

leading to relapse with aggressive cancer.

com/research-news/potential-new-treatmentfor-advanced-cancers/

C E N TR E FO R AGE I NG & D EM EN T IA RE SEA RC H

the BBC Wales documentary ‘The Toddlers

The toddlers who took on Dementia

centred activities to engage both ages

who Took on Dementia’ to create personincluding cake-making, singing and exercise.

Patients at a day-care centre in Colwyn Bay spent three days with the young children on the planned activities to see if they could restore some of their memory loss. The aim was to tap in to the passions of the adults’ younger years and trigger memories.

The research is ongoing but Professor Woods said: “What we want to do is to change the

Psychologists from Bangor University,

environment, so that they can engage, they

including Professor Bob Woods, emeritus

can interact without failure. And in that way

professor at the Centre for Ageing and

we can draw on the rich vein of expertise and

Dementia research, have been involved in a

experience and knowledge that’s still there.”

documentary looking at what happens when nursery children come together with people

On the difference the children had made he

living with dementia.

said: “They’ve given us all a new perspective, a new view on dementia. It’s really important

The team worked closely with producers of

6

to see the person behind the diagnosis.”

A Wales-led study investigating the use of multiple medications in care homes could reduce hospital admissions in Wales.

Adverse drug reactions are responsible for 5 -8% unplanned hospital admissions in the UK, costing the NHS £1.5 - 2.5 billion per annum.

Most are due to poor monitoring, not poor prescribing and are preventable.

Polypharmacy, the use of multiple or inappropriate medications, has the potential to harm older adults by causing falls, cognitive impairment, incontinence, dry mouth, pain or nausea. This is a particular issue in care homes where up to 50% of people are overprescribed medicines.

The PADRe study will analyse polypharmacyrelated incidents involving older people reported to the National Reporting and Learning System. A pharmacist, a doctor and nurse will be trained to analyse safety reports to develop a model that will form the basis of a new nurse-led intervention to monitor and manage medicines management to identify adverse drug reactions.

The study is a collaboration between Andrew Carson-Stevens, Patient Safety Research Lead, PRIME Centre Wales, Professor Sue Jordan, Swansea University and colleagues in the Welsh Medicines Resource Centre, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, University of Bristol and Cardiff University.

Professor Jordan said: “This is a great opportunity to work with colleagues to develop a way to prevent problems arising from prescribed medicines and eventually reduce hospital admissions due to adverse reactions to medicines.”

For more information visit www.primecentre. wales/nurse-led-interventions.php

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

NATION A L C E NT RE F O R P OPULAT I O N H E A LT H A N D WELLB EI NG RE S E A RCH

to schools as a report comparing the health and wellbeing of pupils to county averages, alongside health guidelines and links to local

School networks tackle the health and wellbeing of pupils in Wales

school-based initiatives. The dissemination of data to schools provides schools with the autonomy to identify areas of the report that

“Investing in young people’s health and wellbeing is a key objective and area of research for the National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research.

they wish to prioritise.

A deputy head teacher involved in the project commented: “When receiving our

Schools in Wales are getting help to improve

HAPPEN data pack, we were concerned to

their pupils’ activity levels and to tackle

discover that in year 5 and 6, approximately

obesity, thanks to research being carried out

a third of our children were overweight

by the National Centre for Population Health

... Additionally, 38% of children reported

and Wellbeing (NCPHWR).

they were not happy with their fitness. We have increased the opportunities children

The work being carried out by the HAPPEN and SHRN Networks can have a positive impact, not just on young people and their future achievements, health and wellbeing, but potentially on the future productivity and health of Wales as a whole.”

Professor Ronan Lyons, Director, NCPHWR

Good health and wellbeing are linked

receive. We have reflected on our PE

to young people’s achievements and

lessons and planned to bring more active

employment opportunities as well as

elements to other lessons, such as spelling,

Pupils from schools across Wales complete

their wellbeing as adults. The Health and

where children run to match up words with

a Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

Attainment of Pupils in a Primary Education

phonemes.”

every two years, accompanied by a School Environment Questionnaire, which allows

Network (HAPPEN) and the School Health Research Network (SHRN) projects are

Using the Secure Anonymised Information

relationships between school policies

helping schools to identify specific problem

Linkage Databank (SAIL) data collected at

and practices and student health to be

areas, like obesity levels, so that simple

Fitness Fun Days is linked to anonymous,

investigated. Questions are developed

changes can be made to lessons.

routinely collected electronic health data

in consultation with key stakeholders in

including GP records, hospital admissions and

schools, Public Health Wales and the Welsh

educational attainment.

Government.

wellbeing and education of primary school

Secondary schools

The team at SHRN not only provide robust

children in Swansea. Children aged 9-11

SHRN is tackling the health and wellbeing

health and wellbeing data to schools, they also

years participate in fitness fun days and

of secondary school children, working with

help schools and those who support schools to

complete a range of fitness, health and

secondary schools, researchers, policy-

understand health research evidence and how it

wellbeing assessments. This data is fed back

makers and practitioners from across health,

can be used in a school setting.

Primary schools HAPPEN focuses on improving the health,

education and social care.

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7

P UB LIC H E A LT H WA L E S

tobacco cigarettes, according to a Public Health

New research shows Is it all smoke Welsh Primary School ‘Is it all smoke without fire? Welsh primary primary school without fire? school children’s perceptions of electronic Children’s of Electronic Cigarettes children havePerceptions a good cigarettes’ was commissioned to help understand children’s awareness and views level of awareness of Age 7 Age 9 Age 11 Boy Girl about e-cigarettes, compared with smoking e-cigarettes 498 children tobacco. It suggests key areas to improve

Who took part

Wales report.

participated from

95% of children can distinguish between

children’s understanding of the risks

tobacco and electronic cigarettes, and many

associated with electronic cigarettes.

8 schools

across Wales

What we did

think that e-cigarettes are safer and better than52.2% (n=258)

Questionnaire (n = 498)

Class based or small group activity.

Children completed a questionnaire

Draw & Write (n = 498)

47.8%

(n=236)

Class based or small group activity.

Children completed 2 draw and write inquiries about smoking and vaping

33.3%

37.4%

(n=165)

(n=185)

Peer Discussion (n = 96)

Co-author Dr Alisha Davies, head of research & development, Public Health Wales, said: “This research provides a valuable insight into children’s perceptions of electronic cigarettes and family influences on their knowledge and understanding. Reinforcing the message that electronic cigarettes support people to stop smoking is important, alongside addressing gaps in children’s knowledge about potential harms.”

29.3%

(n=145)

Four children (2 boys / 2 girls) from each class took part in a semi-structured peer discussions

The report and accompanying infographic are available on the Public Health Wales website www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/news/48077

Children are aware of electronic cigarettes and can differentiate them

C A RD IFF A ND VAfrom L E Utobacco N IV ER Scigarettes IT Y HE A LTH BOA RD

Board, coordinating a collaboration with the University of Barcelona, Cardiff University,

Children believe people mainly use electronic cigarettes to stop Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona and smoking and smoke tobacco cigarettes to look cool

What we found

University Hospital of Stavanger.

Grant awarded to Children have little understanding of health harms of electronic assess international cigarettes Use of the tool has grown beyond this impact of the TALK group, as it is also being applied in Denmark, Children perceive vaping and smoking to be unacceptable for children project Iceland, Portugal and New Zealand. Its results but more acceptable for adults

WAL ES S CH O O L FO R S OCI AL CAR E R ES EARCH

Social Care PHD Studentship Award 2018

are expected to produce generalised belief

Exposure to electronic and tobacco cigarettes through family and findings that may transform future clinical friends influences children’steam perceptions of smoking and vaping communication and education.

Few children intend to use electronic cigarettes or smoke tobacco The World Health Organisation recommends cigarettes when they grow up clinical debriefing for team reflection after

What next

Electronic cigarette education is needed in Welsh primary schools

Health messaging Research is needed tasks, shifts or events. Clinical debriefing is a should reinforce the to understand how teamelectronic conversation about whatperceptions has happened view that can during case. Any aspects of influence patient future cigarettes areafor smoking cessation vaping behaviour care may be discussed and everybody’s

The international impact of a clinical

perspective matters. TALK©

debriefing tool developed in Wales will

easy way to guide this conversation.

Image Source:an The Noun Project proposes

be explored thanks to a grant from the EU Find out more on the TALK website

Awards for social care research. The WSSCR Studentship Award funds talented individuals to undertake high-quality research and study leading to the qualification of PhD. Projects undertaken as part of this work are expected to have relevance to the social care needs, the public and service users, and/ social care services in Wales.

Further information about the study can be found at Public Health Institute: www.ljmu.ac.uk/phi and Public Health Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk www.talkdebrief.org

The TALK© tool was developed by clinicians from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to promote guided reflection within teams as a way to improve and maintain patient safety and contribute to a supportive culture of dialogue and learning in any clinical environment.

The project will run for three years across three countries with Wales, Spain and Norway working in partnership through research and staff exchange.

The grant was awarded by the European Commission and the grant consortium is led by Cardiff and Vale University Health

8

(WSSCR) is offering PhD Studentship

or the organisation and delivery of effective

Horizon 2020 MSCA-RISE scheme.

March 2018

The Wales School for Social Care Research

T A

ARGET: What shall we discuss to improve patient care? Share your perspective.

supervisor) must be based at the host institution at the time of applying, the host

NALYSIS: Explore specific points of

institution must be an organisation based

patient care.

in Wales. Funding is available for UK/ EU

1. What helped or hindered communication / decision making / situational awareness?

2. How can we repeat successful performances or improve?

L K

The applicant (i.e the proposed PhD

applications only.

The application deadline is 9 July 2018 at 17:00.

Applicants must be in a position to commence proposed activities by 1 October 2018.

EARNING: What can the team learn from

The application form and guidance notes are

the experience?

available on the Wales School for Social Care

EY ACTIONS: What can we do to improve and maintain patient safety? Who will

Research website www.walessscr.org/en/ news?id=53

take responsibility for those actions?

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

AB ERTAWE BRO M O RG A N N WG UN IVE RSI T Y HE A LT H B OA R D

in others it can cause a stroke, with all its

Morriston researchers awarded grant to identify atrial fibrillation patients most at risk of stroke

devastating effects.

The Morriston team is investigating how atrial fibrillation can lead to abnormal blood clotting, which may cause a clot to break off into the heart chamber and travel to the brain. It’s hoped their work will identify

DIABET ES R ES EARCH UNI T CYMRU

Clinical exercise research makes a giant leap forward at Swansea University

which atrial fibrillation patients have

Grants totalling £700,000 have been

abnormal blood clotting, and are therefore

awarded to Swansea University researchers

most at risk of a stroke, so they can be given

who are looking at the importance of

preventative treatment early.

physical exercise in high risk groups of patients with diabetes or obesity.

The study is led by Professor Adrian Evans at

Researchers at Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department are investigating ways to prevent the number of patients with a common, but potentially serious, heart condition from having a stroke.

The two year study – funded by a £150,000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb European Thrombosis Investigator Initiated Research Programme (ERISTA) – will involve around 120 patients who have atrial fibrillation, a form of arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm.

Although some people can have atrial fibrillation without serious consequences,

the Haemostasis Biomedical Research Unit

The team, led by Dr Richard Bracken, an

at Morriston Hospital, which is recognised

associate professor in Sports Science who

as one of the leading Units in the UK and

leads lifestyle research at the Diabetes

Europe on clotting research in the field of

Research Unit Cymru, are investigating

emergency medicine.

whether low blood glucose levels, brought on by exercise, can be managed safely

Professor Evans said: “The study attempts

by type 1 diabetes patients and whether

to determine for the first time how atrial

exercise can help people with obesity to

fibrillation and altered blood flow within

recover faster after bariatric (weight loss)

the heart leads to the development of an

surgery.

abnormal clot structure in some people.

Dr Bracken said: “People with diabetes or Using a biomarker we have developed here,

severe obesity are advised to take regular

we are trying to measure how that irregular

exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

heartbeat alters the clotting process, affects

However, we see patients become so

clot structure which in turn can cause a

deconditioned, face immobility barriers or

stroke.”

have increased glucose risks around exercise that healthcare professionals are unsure how best to advocate exercise and consequently patients fail to improve quality of life, with

C E N TR E FO R T RI A L S R ES EA RCH

worsening outcomes.

£5.5m funding award for Centre for Trials Research

“Following individual collaborative funding

The grant – which was awarded as part of a UK-wide competitive process – was based on the previous work that has been done through the Centre for Trials Research, as well as research proposals that can be delivered by the largest team of academic clinical trials staff in Wales.

“As a result of our research, we have seen a The Centre for Trials Research has been given a £5.5m grant to further develop its groundbreaking cancer research, which is already making a difference to patients’ lives.

The five year funding – from Cancer Research UK – will allow doctors and scientists to

We have pioneered designs that allow patients access to different treatments at different stages of their leukaemia journey.“ “We are now bringing the lessons learned forward into other cancer treatments to allow patients at all stages of their cancer journey

continue researching better and kinder treatments for patients, including in areas of specialism such as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

transformation in the way AML can be treated.

access to novel therapies” said Professor Robert Hills, AML Lead, Cardiff University (based in the Centre for Trials Research).

agreements with COFUND and Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships, supported

by European Social Funds via Welsh Government and Swansea University, pharmaceutical and technological device companies, we are now able to power a programme of studies that allow us to underpin some of the mechanisms behind exercise that targets diabetes or obesity and present opportunities to increase quality of life in these individuals.

“This research will deepen our understanding of how exercise can rectify dysregulated physiology in severely deconditioned individuals with obesity or diabetes and lead to improvements in the quality of advice for patients to encourage a higher quality of life.”

For more information visit www. healthandcareresearch.gov.wales/news/clinicalexercise-research-makes-a-giant-leap-forwardat-swansea-university/

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

9

AB ERTAW E BRO M O RG A N N WG UN IVE RSI T Y HE A LT H B OA R D & B E TSI CA DWA L A D R U N IV ER S ITY HEA LTH BOA RD

The primary aim of the award is to support

Jonathan Hewitt, Health and Care Research

the fellows in completing a Cochrane

Wales stroke lead, Dr Terry Quinn, Stroke

review, but other important aims are to

Association and Chief Scientist Office senior

foster multidisciplinary and cross-border

clinical lecturer and Dr Susan Shenkin, NHS

Welsh Stroke Researcher’s Cochrane Fellowships awarded

collaborative working. The award has been

Research Scotland clinical lead for ageing.

match funded by NHS Research Scotland Ageing Specialty Group to provide the

Dr Hewitt said “the award will help to

same funding to two early career Scottish

develop research, promoting stroke and

researchers. The Scottish and Welsh Fellows

vascular dementia research in both Wales

will work together on their respective

and Scotland. The longer term objective

projects.

is to equip these promising early stage researchers with the skills to be future

The inaugural Welsh Stroke Researcher’s

Ceri will be reviewing the effectiveness

Cochrane Fellowships, funded by a Stroke

research leaders.”

of cholinesterase inhibitors for vascular

Research Development Grant from Health

dementia, while Bethan will be reviewing

and Care Research Wales, have been

the aromatherapy-based interventions.

awarded to Dr Ceri Battle, consultant

The fellows will be supported by Dr

physiotherapist from Morriston Hospital, Swansea and Bethan Owen-Booth, senior lecturer/practitioner in Occupational Therapy at Wrexham Glyndwr University/Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Awards allow the Fellows to work on a systematic review with the Cochrane Stroke

Dr Ceri Battle (left) with colleague

and Dementia Groups.

Bethan Owen-Booth

SPE C IA LT Y L E A D S

from critical care at the University Hospital of

of conducting research trials in emergency

Wales – was published in The New England

situations.

Cardiac arrest research tops 1,000 citations

Journal of Medicine in 2013.

“The TTM Trial has not only changed practice The TTM Trial was incorporated into national

but it is also influencing the global research

and international harmonised resuscitation

community. To reach more than 1,000

guidelines in 2015 – showing no difference

citations is very rare and it demonstrates the

A global study – which challenged the

in benefits when cooling patients to 33 or 36

impact and potential of this ground-breaking

dogma of mild therapeutic hypothermia in

degrees, with many of the risks associated

study.”

unconscious survivors of out-of-hospital

with using the lower temperature avoided.

Cardiff will once again be the lead UK site

cardiac arrest – has now been cited more Dr Matthew Wise, TTM study lead, said:

this summer when the landmark research

“Only one in ten current critical care

is taken further through TTM2, which will

The Targeted Temperature Management

treatments are based on the best quality

explore if mild therapeutic hypothermia is

(TTM) Trial – led in the UK by researchers

evidence, partially due to the challenges

beneficial when compared to avoiding fever.

than 1,000 times.

Help us tell the stories that make a difference Do you want to help raise awareness about the importance of research?

Health and Care Research Wales wants to create a library of real stories from people that have taken part in, or been involved with, research.

We need your help to collect these stories from members of the public, so that together we can raise awareness of life-changing research studies in Wales, as well as inspiring others to become involved or take part.

We know that without people taking part we cannot improve treatments and care for the future.

For more information, and to get involved, contact the Health and Care Research Wales communications team at healthandcareresearch@wales.nhs.uk

We need real stories that inspire people to get involved in research

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

Funding Health and Care Research Wales funding scheme launch dates www.healthandcareresearch.gov.wales/funding/our-funding-schemes/ 2018 September Clinical Research Time Award 2018 Social Care Research Fellowship Award October Research for Patient and Public Benefit Wales Award Research Funding Scheme - Health Grant Award Wales School for Social Care Research Social Care PHD Studentship Award 2018 Application deadline: 17:00 on 9 July 2018 www.walessscr.org/en/news?id=53

Save the date Protect tomorrow by helping today You have a unique opportunity to be part of shaping the health and wellbeing of future generations in Wales.

Sign up to take part in Wales’ largest health study now!

Register www.healthwisewales.gov.wales healthwisewales@cardiff.ac.uk 0800 9 172 172 @HealthWiseWales

Health and Care Research Wales conference 2018 Cardiff 25 October 2018 Sign up for conference alerts here: www.healthandcareresearch.gov.wales/events/2018/10/25/healthand-care-research-wales-conference-2018/

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#T E A MRESEARCH

Celebrate with #TeamResearch Our #TeamResearch campaign brings together the exciting celebrations taking place across Health and Care Research Wales as we look forward to the National Health Service turning 70 on 5 July.

T

an ideal opportunity to celebrate how

research has improved and shaped one of the nation’s most loved institutions. The Research Wales’ achievements during its first three years as well as using health and care breakthroughs from the past 70 years of the NHS to engage people with what research might do for it and us all in the next 70 years.

NHS R&D Forum & Health and Care Research Wales’ birthday #TeamResearch was launched on Health and Care Research Wales’ 3rd birthday, coinciding

Professor Jon Bisson

Development (R&D) Forum which came to Wales for the first time on 14 and 15 May. This prestigious event attracted over 600 delegates from the R&D community across the UK, who came together to share achievements, ideas and experiences and celebrate the importance of research in the NHS.

Director of Health and Care Research Wales was live-streamed at the event, asking his thoughts on the Forum, Health and Care Research Wales’ 3rd birthday and the future

campaign will showcase Health and Care

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with the 2018 Annual NHS Research and

An interview with Professor Jon Bisson,

he anniversary of the NHS provides

“It’s a great privilege and honour for Wales to be hosting the NHS R&D Forum.”

of research. He said: “It’s a great privilege and honour for Wales to be hosting the NHS R&D Forum. This is a major event in the calendar for research within the NHS across the United Kingdom so for Health and Care Research Wales to be playing host this year is fantastic.”

You can listen to Professor Jon Bisson’s full message here soundcloud.com/researchwales/jon-bisson-rd-forum-2018/s-U90ze

The R&D Forum provided an opportunity to showcase how we are making Wales a place that is internationally recognised for excellent health and social care research that is making a real difference. Our exhibition stand was a focal point for our 3rd birthday celebrations with balloons and birthday cake attracting delegates and maximising networking opportunities with research professionals from across the UK. The celebrations continued with success for Welsh colleagues at the awards ceremony.

For the second year running Wales won the delegate’s choice poster award. Ralph Larner, research funding manager at Health and Care Research Wales, developed the winning

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

interactive board game style poster about

with a week of events and activities across

accessing excess treatment costs. Ralph said “I enjoyed the challenge of finding a creative way to demonstrate how researchers can access excess treatment costs in Wales.

It was a real pleasure to chat to delegates about the poster and get them involved with the subject in a fun and interactive way.“ Vianne Britten, research team lead and Sue Kearney, trials manager, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, won the award

“It was a real pleasure to chat to delegates about the excess treatment costs poster and get them involved with the subject in a fun and interactive way.”

Ralph Larner

the infrastructure, all promoted with #TeamResearch and #ICTD2018 and a summary can be found here.

What’s next?

Throughout early summer we will continue to use #TeamResearch to reflect upon the key health and social care research developments of the first 70 years of the NHS and to engage people with how their

for best abstract. They said: “The abstract

participation and involvement could help

detailed the initiative to implement a

shape research over the next 70 years.

research nurse bank within R&D at Aneurin We are sharing seven stories showcasing how the treatment and care we receive today is the result of past research, and seven stories considering what research could do for all of us in the future. Look out for the stories on social media and the Health and Care Research Wales website.

Join the celebrations #TeamResearch campaign activities will run through to the NHS’ 70th anniversary on 5 July. We are asking people to share their memories of NHS research, whether they have conducted or taken part in research. Please send your stories or images to the Health and Care Research Wales communications team at healthandcareresearch@wales.nhs.uk Bevan University Health Board, and we were

changing research that has taken place in

selected to give a presentation explaining

Wales, including advancements in cancer and

#TeamResearch is a great opportunity to

the advantages and disadvantages that we

mental health and the role of the public in

come together as a research community and

had experienced in using bank nurses to

shaping research. Read the articles here.

to engage the public in Wales and thank

help deliver trials across the board.”

International Clinical Trials Day Special thanks were given to Dr Nicola

them for their contributions to better health and care. We also want to thank you for your commitment and dedication to carrying

Williams, national director of Support and

International Clinical Trials Day on 20 May

out world class research and making sure it

Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales,

provided another opportunity to raise

makes a real difference.

and programme chair of the R&D Forum, for

awareness of research in Wales. The day

her passion and hard work.

celebrates the anniversary of the first clinical

Please get involved and join the celebrations

trial by James Lind in 1747. Health and Care

on social media by using #TeamResearch

Research Wales joined in the celebrations

alongside #NHS70 / #NHS70Cymru.

As part of the #TeamResearch campaign, delegates were asked for three things they would like health and social care research to solve in the next 70 years. We will be sharing their responses over the coming weeks and the videos will be available on our YouTube channel.

In the week following our birthday we used #TeamResearch to share three key research highlights from our first three years. The series of articles feature some of the life-

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

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Health and Care Research Wales i

Since our launch in 2015 we have worked to make Wales a place that is internationally recognised for exce Here is a snapshot of some of our achievements (April 2015 - March 2018).

*

*

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

in numbers

ellent health and social care research that is making a real difference.

* awarded through Health and Care Research Wales funding scheme research grants/awards Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

15

F EATURED

Wales can shine as ‘international beacon’ of good public involvement Wales has led the way for a long time in public involvement and now Health and Care Research Wales has played a defining role in developing UK-wide guidelines.

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“Personally I consider it our duty to make

“I’m really proud of the involvement of Health

sure we deliver and adhere to those

and Care Research Wales in the development

standards in everything that we do moving

of the standards and I’m very confident that

forward, to make sure that Health and

it will help us to drive public involvement

Care Research Wales is really a beacon

and engagement to the next level and also

internationally in terms of good public

to improve our research so that we truly have

involvement and engagement.

a major impact on the health, wellbeing and

he National Standards for Public Involvement were launched earlier this

year, with input and direction from our public involvement team, along with colleagues from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Wales School for Social Care Research and the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) are a joint lead pilot sites in the UK that will test the standards over the coming year.

Speaking after the Standards were published, director of Health and Care Research Wales, Professor Jon Bisson, said: “The National Standards for Public Involvement represent a major step forward and provide an excellent platform on which we can now build and develop our work in

Standards for Public Involvement

Health and Care Research Wales collaborated with public representatives an Scotland and Northern Ireland to develop the National Standards for Public I year to improve the quality and consistency of public involvement in researc

The Standards provide clear, concise benchmarks for effective public involve to measure improvement. The six standards are a description of what good p designed to encourage self-reflection and learning.

Ten pilot sites across the UK will test the standards over the coming year, put own working environment.

The Wales School for Social Care Research and the Centre for Ageing and De pilot site in Wales but all parts of the infrastructure are encouraged to use th share learning and experiences.

More information is available on the National Standards for Public Involveme

this area.

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

I have truly felt that my voice and my experiences as a patient are valued and can make a difference.

Radha Nair-Roberts

to look at what you’re doing and how, and to

Our dedicated Public Involvement and

develop what you are doing into best practice.

Engagement Team match researchers and

Senior public involvement and engagement

So although there are different models, the

members of the public so they can work

manager at Health and Care Research Wales,

Standards can apply to any model.”

together on studies. They also work with

prosperity of the people in Wales.”

our Speciality Leads and provide support to

Barbara Moore, said: “A lot of work went into developing the standards, to ensure it’s

Since our launch on 14 May 2015, we have

anybody working in health and social care

something that’s not seen as a ‘you need to do

been championing a culture of all research

research in Wales.

it like this’ but actually something to assist you

being ‘with the public, for the public’, to

nd organisations in England, Involvement, launched earlier this ch across the UK.

ement alongside indicators public involvement looks like,

tting them to practical use in their

ementia Research (CADR) are a joint he Standards in their work and to

ent website

make sure studies are relevant to people’s

41 year old Radha Nair-Roberts, who has

needs and concerns.

secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, is one of our public volunteers. She had to give

This approach is having a huge impact on the

up her job as a stem cell neurobiologist and

way research studies are carried out and it’s

said that getting involved in research has

also having a positive effect on the people

given her a sense of purpose and a chance to

who are volunteering.

work with like-minded people.

Whether it’s helping to decide which studies

“I have had an opportunity to learn about

should be funded – or making sure patient

cutting edge medical research to help

information is easy to read and understand –

improve care and service provision for

the public can work alongside researchers at

people in society suffering from illness, like

every stage of the process.

myself,” said Radha.

There isn’t a one size fits all approach to

“I have been able to use my expertise and

public involvement. As we work towards

research skills to help steer research projects

the aim of involving a larger and more

and service design. Far from being excluded

diverse community of members of the

as simply a ‘patient’ or ‘member of the

public across the Health and Care Research

public’, I have truly felt that my voice and my

Wales infrastructure, different models of

experiences as a patient are valued and can

public involvement are being developed and

make a difference.”

supported.

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

17

experience’ in research helps to ground the research, reminding us of our public ‘audience’, our beneficiaries.”

Attitudes to public involvement in research have changed and improved over the years.

“I think that one of the biggest changes is there’s now an expectation from funders of research,” commented Barbara, “when funding applications are presented to them, they expect to see that there has been some public involvement in the development of that funding bid and the plans for the study. Ideally no research should really be funded without public involvement actually happening.

Radha Nair-Roberts photo by Oriane Pierrepoint “There’s still a lot of work to do, we still Radha is involved with the research team

RAPID Research Assistant, Natalie Simon,

behind the RAPID Trial, which is examining

believes public involvement in research

the efficacy of an online guided self-help

is an “essential ingredient in the research

programme as treatment for people with

process.”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“I have seen the impact of public The trial is led by Professor Bisson at the

involvement in many ways while working on

National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH)

the RAPID trial,” said Natalie.

and is funded by the National Institute for

“We currently have a group of four

Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology

individuals with ‘lived-experience’,

Assessment (HTA) programme. Health and Care

including Radha, working with us and they

Research Wales is a funding partner for the HTA

have influenced significant changes to

programme.

our trial documents, including recruitment information for potential participants.

“Involving an individual with ‘lived-

speak to researchers who are very naïve about the importance of public involvement.

One of the areas that we are occasionally challenged by is researchers who are working in the labs. What really helps us is if we can expose basic researchers to real patients, the ones who their work is actually going to affect in the end. They very often have a realisation that actually ‘this is why we’re doing this’ and they can see that along the journey it’s very important to have the public perspective brought into their work.”

To keep driving public involvement forward, HealthWise Wales, our flagship platform for

Area of infrastructure: Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics Unit (BRAIN) – BRAIN Involve Model: Public and patient involvement group Need: To use personal experiences of members of the public living with neurological and neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis, to develop and shape cutting edge research.

Impact: Members contribute to the design, development, implementation and dissemination of research around brain repair and developing new therapies for brain conditions. Training and support is offered via Health and Care Research Wales.

Area of infrastructure: National Centre for Mental Health – Partnership in Research (PAR) Model: Advice and feedback sessions Need: To create opportunities for service users and their carers to be actively involved in mental health research, to provide researchers with their unique perspective.

Impact: Researchers present their ideas of draft proposals to the group to get feedback before developing a full protocol.

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

engaging and enrolling the nation in health and social care research, is setting itself up to reach even more people.

Public involvement isn’t only at research and development and delivery level, members of the public are involved with the Health and Care Research Wales Public Delivery Board and also at Board level within Welsh Government.

Members of the public have been instrumental in growing public involvement across the infrastructure and in developing the National Standards for Public Involvement.

“We haven’t got all the answers,” concluded Barbara, “but it’s a very exciting area to be involved in and what’s really rewarding is seeing the impact it can have; studies can become more relevant to the needs and concerns of people and therefore people are interested in those studies and willing to participate in them and that informs practice.

“It’s not any one research project or study that stands out to me from over the years, but it’s where studies have been struggling to recruit and small changes suggested by members of the public actually turn around recruitment. After all, if you don’t recruit you’ll never get the results of your study, which could improve lives.”

“It’s a very exciting area to be involved in and what’s really rewarding is seeing the impact it can have.”

“Personally I consider it our duty to make sure we deliver and adhere to those standards in everything that we do.”

Professor Jon Bisson

Barbara Moore

Area of infrastructure: Diabetes Research Unit Cymru – Public Reference Panel Model: Review panel Need: To involve people who have experience of living with diabetes to help develop and deliver research that reflects their needs and views. Eight members were selected following an open day.

Impact: The panel regularly review research documents including funding applications and patient information sheets. The panel has been extended to include parents of children with diabetes to include views of young people.

Area of infrastructure: Swansea Trials Unit - Population Advice for Research Committee (PARC) Model: Flexible, quick access group Need: To set up a group that would be available to respond to researcher requests at short notice. Members of the public were recruited via the Involving People Network and social media.

Impact: Researchers can go directly to PARC, for example, when funding call deadlines are imminent. The model is being shared with, and used by, other areas of the infrastructure.

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

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Calendar To find out more about any of these events, visit the Health and Care Research Wales events calendar

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HealthWise Wales Researcher Workshop 26 June 2018 Insole Court, Cardiff

Managing knowledge into action in health and care 28 June 2018 Park Inn, Cardiff

Find out how you can use the HealthWise

The aim is to define a programme of work to

Wales resource for your research.

improve how we find and decide what is right and good, how adoption of new thinking and practice is assisted into use.

DECIPHer short course 2018 - Evaluating Complex Public Health Interventions Superbugs - the end of modern medicine as we know it?

28 June 2018 Techniquest, Cardiff

27 - 29 June 2018 Cardiff University

This free event will give you the opportunity

DECIPHer courses introduce the socio-

to learn how antibiotics work and why it’s

ecological model of health and provide

sometimes better not to take them.

working knowledge of key frameworks and methodologies used to evaluate complex interventions.

Life Sciences Hub Wales mission, vision and strategy launch

Health Services Research Summer School

2 July 2018 Celtic Manor Resort

2 - 6 July 2018 Bangor University

Join the Hub as they showcase how they now

A series of masterclasses will provide you

inspire collaboration to improve the health

with the opportunity to engage with and

of healthcare, working with partners from

learn from research leads and/or their team

health, industry and academia to deliver

members in specialist areas related to

improved outcomes for patients.

healthcare research.

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

Person-centred care in care homes - what are the outcomes that really matter?

2018 UK Clinical Research Facilities (UKCRF) Network Conference

3 - 4 July 2018 Celtic Manor Resort, Newport

5 July 2018 Lysaght Institute, Newport

12 - 13 July 2018 Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

The conference draws together a programme

The event aims to explore: what person-

Seeing is Believing: Imaging and digital

of eminent international speakers to share

centred care looks like in practice, what

technologies in the 21st Century

their experience and learning from across the

outcomes really matter and what is in the

health and care community.

way of achieving person-centred care.

Welsh Medicines Research Symposium

National Social Care Conference 2018

Crick Cancer Research Symposium

17 July 2018 Radisson Blu, Cardiff

12 - 13 September 2018 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

1 - 2 October 2018 Francis Crick Institute

Hear from a line-up of talented researchers,

The event will have something for every

This meeting will provide early and mid-

presenting the very best of cutting edge

care workforce member and be the foremost

career researchers with a platform for

medicines-related research in Wales.

showcase and networking opportunity for

presenting their work, sharing ideas, and

social care in Wales.

expanding their network.

Health and Care Research Wales Conference 2018

Health and Care Research Wales Support & Delivery Event

Health and Care Research Wales event

25 October 2018 Cardiff

4 March 2019 Wales

20 February 2019 Wales

The conference brings together health and

The event for Support and Delivery staff in

Showcasing public involvement research in

social care researchers in Wales to share

Wales. Providing a day of workshops and

Wales.

good practice, impact and how to future

plenary sessions, plus opportunities to

proof research.

network and view the exhibition.

Bevan Commission International Conference

Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018

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Winner of the delegate’s choice poster award, 2018 Annual NHS R&D Forum page12

Join us on our social media channels

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Health and Care Research Wales Magazine - Issue 04 - June 2018