The contract enables our expert teams at theUniversities of Brighton, Kent and Surrey tobuild on ten years experience of supportinghealth, social care and public health research.

Around 60 academics, researchers, Trust R&Dstaff, clinicians, allied health professionals andmembers of the public enjoyed a networkinglunch. RDS SE Director Jörg Huber followedwith an overview of RDS SE 2018-2023. Guestpresenters included Professor Martin Knapp,Director of the NIHR School for Social CareResearch. His focus was ‘challenges andsolutions in social care research’.

Themed interactive workshops gave everyonean opportunity to engage and to contribute.

These included 'Starting out in research'. Therewas great energy and enthusiasm to shareknowledge, experiences and ideas throughoutthe afternoon. Event feedback was extremelypositive and we will use the comments madeto inform future event planning.

‘The presentations were excellent and it wasgreat to interact with clinicians in the localarea’ (Kent researcher).

We plan to run stakeholder events every year.Our 2019 event will be in November – makesure to join the RDS SE mailing list for news.www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk/join-our-mailing-list.

Director’sforeword

SE researchersuccess stories

Patient and public involvement

RDS SE events focus

Meet the RDS Adviser

RDS SE launches new contractOn 31 October 2018, we launched the new RDS SE five-year contract at a special event held in London. Colleagues across the region joined us in looking forward to raising the level and quality of south east healthand social care research.

RDS SE: Looking aheadOur overarching aims for our current contract until2023 are:

• to advise and supportthose applying for appliedhealth, social care andpublic health researchfunding

• to increase outreach andengagement with localhealth, social care andpublic health organisations

• to embed public andpatient involvement in all activities.

Research Design Service South East (RDS SE)Newsletter 9 Spring 2019

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

Professor Kathryn GreenwoodKathryn is a Professor of Psychology at theUniversity of Sussex, andan experienced researcherin mental health (see p5).

Ann-Marie TowersAnn-Marie is a SeniorResearch Fellow at thePersonal Social ServicesResearch Unit (PSSRU),University of Kent.

Dr Karen JonesKaren is Director of thePersonal Social ServicesResearch Unit (PSSRU),University of Kent.

Professor Jackie CassellJackie is Head of theDept of Primary Care andPublic Health, andDirector of Research andKnowledge Exchange atBrighton and SussexMedical School (BSMS).

Dr Catherine EvansCatherine is a clinicalacademic at SussexCommunity NHSFoundation Trust andKing’s College. Shespecialises in palliativecare and nursing.

Professor Simon de LusignanSimon is Professor ofPrimary Care and ClinicalInformatics/Head of theDepartment of Clinicaland ExperimentalMedicine at theUniversity of Surrey.

Professor Patricia WilsonTricia is Professor ofPrimary & CommunityCare at the Universityof Kent Centre forHealth Services Studies(CHSS), and RDS SEStrategic PPI Lead.

Dr Agnieszka (Aggie) MichaelAggie is a MedicalDirector at SurreyClinical Trials Unit and adivisional lead for cancerin the Clinical ResearchNetwork Kent, Surreyand Sussex.

Professor Stephen PeckhamStephen is Professorof Health Policy andDirector of CHSS,University of Kent.

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Welcome

Newly-appointed RDS SE co-applicants and collaboratorsOur valued co-applicants and collaborators across the southeast support the RDS SE management team. We work closelytogether to share expertise and link to health, social care andpublic health networks.

Our six co-applicants all sit on the RDS SE Strategic Management Group.

Dr Chris Jones (CTU)Chris is Research Fellowin Medical Statistics(Clinical Medicine) atBSMS at the Universityof Brighton.

Dr Julie GeorgeJulie is Consultant inPublic Health at SurreyCounty Council andHonorary Snr ClinicalLecturer at UniversityCollege London.

Professor Peter McGillPeter is Professor ofClinical Psychology ofLearning Disability/ActingDirector of Universityof Kent Tizard Centre.

Our six collaborators have a wide range of expertise and experience and work with us to strengthen links to key stakeholder organisations.

Foreword

Professor Jörg Huber,Director, RDS SE

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Welcome to the first newsletter of RDS SE III, as we sometimes refer toour still relatively new (from 1 October2018) contract.

We recently appointed lead advisersfor social care, with Dr Ann-MarieTowers (Kent) now providing expertstrategic input. We also welcome newRDS SE co-applicants and collaborators,and Research Advisers Dr Wendy Wood(Sussex), Dr Sabina Hulbert (Kent) andDr Manavi Maharshi (Surrey).

Professor Patricia Wilson (Kent) is newStrategic Lead for PPI, supported byRegional Operational Lead DuncanBarron (Sussex) and our team ofspecialists. Our PPI grants form a keypart of our work to ensure that weembed PPI in all our advising activities.

I encourage you to peruse these pageshighlighting the support RDS provides –frequently in tandem with CRN, CTUs,Trust R&D offices and HEIs. Above all,talk to us about your research ideas, and make use of our free service.

We aim to deliver a consistent, reliableand responsive service. I am verygrateful to all staff in their varied roles,supporting and delivering a greatservice.

As your RDS, we look forwardto working with you to develop your –and our region's – research plans.

With very best wishes,Jörg

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

RDS SE research success stories

3www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

Numerous worrying studiesare showing that increasingly,GPs are suffering from,or at risk of, burnout, stressand anxiety. Many areconsidering retiring orleaving the profession.

There is increasing evidence thatmindfulness is beneficial in improvingstress levels and reducing anxiety anddepression. Parliamentary ReportMindful Nation UK recommended thatgovernment departments shouldencourage mindfulness training forpublic sector staff to combat stress andimprove organisational effectiveness.

Dr Neil Pillai, a GP at the Ivy CourtSurgery, Kent, wanted to apply forfunding to explore for the first timewhether a modified mindfulness-basedcognitive therapy (MBCT) course hasthe potential to reduce stress andburnout among NHS GPs. The eight-week course teaches participants manythings, including how to pay attention totheir present moment experience and sodevelop more helpful responses tosituations as they arise.

Dr Pillai came to the RDS SE in Kent as afirst-time researcher, for support with afunding application to the Royal Collegeof General Practitioners (RCGP). RDS SEResearch Advisers Dr Kate Hamilton-West and Dr Tracy Pellatt-Higginsworked with him to develop hisapplication and were co-investigators.Tracy provided specialist statisticalsupport for the project.

Dr Pillai was delighted to receive £1,500from RCGP South East Thames Facultyto undertake a feasibility study.

Findings of the preliminary evaluationwere promising. After the MCBT course,stress and burnout scores improvedcompared to baseline.

Dr Pillai said: ‘GPs reported that thecourse helped them manage workpressures, feel more relaxed, enjoy theirwork and experience greater empathyand compassion (for self, colleagues andpatients). Compliance with theintervention was very high. We intendto apply for further funding to evaluatethis approach in a larger sample of GPs.Patients as well as GPs will benefit, andthose benefits could extend to otherNHS staff at risk of burnout.’

Kate Hamilton-West said: ‘I reallyenjoyed working with Dr Pillai indeveloping the application for fundingand taking the study forward. It was agreat project to be involved with andvery timely given the incrediblepressures facing NHS GPs.’

Findings of the study were published in Primary Health Care Research andDevelopment. The team now hope toundertake further research to evaluatethis approach within a larger randomizedcontrolled trial.

Does a modified mindfulness-basedcognitive therapy (MBCT) course havethe potential to reduce stress andburnout in NHS GPs? Feasibility study.Primary Health Care Research &Development, Volume 19, Issue 6https://bit.ly/2Crm9l4

Evaluation of eight-week mindfulness courseto reduce stress and burnout among NHS GPs

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RDS SE research success stories

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

Gail’s study will combine SABR withnew imaging approaches to design anovel method to plan delivery of SABR.It could potentially result in fewerpatients developing severe side effects,allowing SABR to become a viabletreatment option for patients currentlyexcluded through high risk ofcomplications from unwanted radiationto healthy tissue. Gail hopes her studywill lead on to a future clinical trial.

Gail’s relationship with RDS SE beganwhen she attended one of our eventswhich included an NIHR Fellowshipsoverview and an introduction to Patientand Public Involvement (PPI). She thenmet with RDS advisers to discuss herplans. Although Gail felt the meeting wasquite overwhelming, it proved anextremely useful ‘reality check’ on whata successful application requires.

Key areas of RDS SE support includedadvice on how to increase and improveon the PPI aspect, ensuring an extensivetraining and development plan was inplace, improving the readability of theapplication and clarifying thejustification for the Fellowship.

Gail’s application benefited from RDS SEpre-submission panel (PSP) feedback aswell as a mock interview. Gail found theinterview extremely helpful. It tookplace within a friendly environmentproviding an opportunity forconstructive feedback.

Dr Ellen Donovan (see p8) was the leadRDS SE adviser. She said: ‘We haveworked with Gail here at Surrey with herapplications and interview preparation.Gail previously applied to the ICAscheme but was unsuccessful. She hasshown great tenacity and we aredelighted that she has now beensuccessful with her DRF application’.

Gail was very happy with the advice shereceived. ‘The RDS SE team areextremely approachable, and providehonest and constructive advice, whichalong with the mock interview and PSPwere invaluable, and served tosignificantly strengthen my application –it has been a challenging, but rewardingjourney’.

Gail Distefano is a MedicalPhysicist specialising inRadiotherapy Physics at theRoyal Surrey Hospital.The RDS SE Surrey teamsupported Gail in successfullyapplying for an NIHRDoctoral Fellowship. Shereceived an award of£243,663 for a study testinga novel method to treat lungcancer with radiotherapy.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy(SABR) offers major advantages overconventional radiotherapy. However,the high doses of radiation necessarymeans SABR must be deliveredextremely accurately to avoid unwantedradiation to healthy tissue. X-ray imagesare used to facilitate this, but movementof a tumour through normal breathingmeans that the irradiated volume mustbe larger than the tumour – limiting whocan receive treatment.

Doctoral Fellowship success for Gail

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk 5

RDS SE research success stories

In the RfPB study, more young peoplewere engaged with the new approach at12 months. It improved isolation, trust,personal goals, communication, shareddecision-making and family involvement.

Kathryn, a Professor of Psychology atSussex University, contacted RDS SE in Brighton. She wanted to apply forfunding to build on this previous workwith the EYE intervention. RDS SEResearch Adviser Claire Rostensupported her throughout theapplication process and advised theteam on comments fed back from thepanel once provisional funding wasannounced. An RDS SE PPI Granthelped the team build strong patient and public involvement (PPI) into every stage of the project. ProfessorGreenwood said: ‘It is vital that youngpeople shape the project and co-deliverthe research to make sure it is useful,relevant and of high quality’.

In 2018 the NIHR Health Services andDelivery Research Programme awarded£1.5m for a three-year randomisedcontrolled trial.

The EYE-2 study aims to improveservices so that more people who have afirst episode of psychosis stay engagedand benefit from them. The research willuse the new intervention, adapted forthose from ethnic minorities, with 720young people in 18 EIP services inManchester, London and the South ofEngland. Half the services will deliverEYE and the remainder the existingpathway. The main outcome will bewhether EYE helps keep young peopleengaged with services. The project willalso measure changes in mental andphysical health, work experience, sociallife, recovery, service satisfaction, andwhether EYE saves money for the NHS.

Find out more:www.isanyoneelselikeme.org.uk

Every year,around 7,500young people inEngland developthe severemental healthproblem psychosis. It generally begins betweenages 14-35, and has long-term effects.

Those experiencing it may die earlierthan the general population, from suicide and physical health problems.Early intervention in the first 3 yearsof psychosis can improve long-termoutcomes and reduce hospital admissionsand suicide risk. Unfortunately, a quarterof young people disengage with EarlyIntervention in Psychosis (EIP) servicesin the first year, at significant costto their mental health, their families,society and the NHS.

Kathryn Greenwood of SussexPartnership NHS Foundation Trustpreviously carried out a successful NIHR Research for Patient Benefit(RfPB) feasibility study and pilot of ateam-based motivational intervention –EYE (Early Youth Engagement) toimprove engagement and outcomesfor young people.

The EYE project aimed to reducedisengagement by developing a newapproach with young people, parentsand EIP staff. EYE addresses issues thatmay put people off, such as how stafftalk to them, how much family andfriends are included, and how serviceshelp with goals, treatment choices andpreferences. Support resources includea website, booklets co-written withyoung people, and staff training usingmotivational techniques.

Improving Early Youth Engagement in firstepisode psychosis: The (EYE-2) study

In February 2019, YPAG KSS weredelighted to win a ‘Highly Commended’Partner Award from the ClinicalResearch Network KSS for InvolvingPatients in Research.

Read more about the group’s work:www.nihr.ac.uk/news/young-peoples-advisory-group-kent-surrey-and-sussex-celebrates-its-first-year/10040

Researchers with new ideas to presentto YPAG, please contact Professor PaulSeddon: seddop@googlemail.com

Photo by permission of Richard Scott

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The Kent, Surrey and SussexYoung People’s AdvisoryGroup (YPAG) for researchinto the health of Childrenand Young People has plentyto celebrate. In November2018 the group marked itsfirst birthday with a specialmeeting where they usedgraffiti art to capture theirdiscussions.

The YPAG members, aged eight toeighteen, and the parallel Parent andCarers group (PaC) work closely togetherto give advice to researchers developingresearch proposals around child health.

The group is a joint venture betweenNIHR Clinical Research Network Kent,Surrey and Sussex (CRN KSS), NIHRResearch Design Service South East(RDS SE), INVOLVE and clinician-researchers from Sussex NHS Trusts.The group meets on a Saturday everyother month at the Royal AlexandraChildren’s Hospital in Brighton.

Public involvement news

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

A successful year of involving young peoplein research

Public members take a seat at RDS SEAdvisory BoardAs part of ongoing work to ensurethat the public perspective lies at theheart of our structure and activities,we are now appointing two publicmembers to join the new RDS SEAdvisory Board.

The Board was established for ournew contract to offer externaloversight and quality assurance ofthe RDS SE service.

We very much look forward toworking with our new colleagues.

Need help with publicinvolvement?Details of our RDS SE PPI GrantScheme are available on our website.www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk/patient-and-public-involvement

In February, the RDS SE PPIteam held a Lay Panel Dayto discuss strategy and shareexperiences. Lay panelmembers review applicationsto the RDS SE PPI grantscheme as well as RDS-supported applications forfunding to NIHR and othersources.

PPI Strategy Lead Professor PatriciaWilson’s session focused on keystrategic points for the future. Thegroup had fun with this as they relatedPPI’s ‘four ‘R’s’ – 'refine', 'reach','relationships' and 'relevance' –to humorous seaside postcards!

Regional Operational PPI Lead DuncanBarron led a session on points to look forwhen reviewing Plain English Summaries.He highlighted new NIHR training forpublic reviewers (see below) and thegroup welcomed this with enthusiasm.Later, the members worked with collageto construct a themed visual summary ofthe day’s discussions.

Access the NIHR INVOLVE onlinetraining: www.invo.org.uk/resource-centre/learning-and-development/public-reviewing-with-the-national-institute-for-health-research-nihr

RDS SE PPI Lay Panel Day

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RDS SE events focus

We offer a rolling programmeof events to suit your needsat every step of the grantdevelopment process.

We run writing workshops, NIHRinformation days and informal drop-inevents. Our Presubmission panels (PSP)mimic an NIHR funding panel.

Details are on our website. Each eventaims to fit your needs as your researchidea evolves into a proposal and apotentially fundable research project.

If you would like RDS SE to tailor one of these events to support researcherswithin your organisation, then contactus at: rds-se@nihr.ac.uk

The researchersattending thisyear’s nationalresidential GrantDevelopmentand WritingRetreat at the University ofKent were very enthusiasticabout the time spent there.

All who fed back would recommend theretreat to colleagues.

There were 13 research teams at theretreat. They really valued protectedtime and space away to think creativelyand receive expert guidance from RDSadvisers (from all regions) whiledeveloping their research ideas.

Over three days the ideas whichemerged spanned a wide range of areas.Group sessions and writing times wereinterspersed with plenary talks fromguest speakers including NIHR Researchfor Patient Benefit (RfPB) ProgrammeDirector, Sue Ziebland (pictured).

All the speakers shared valuable tips andinsight and shared their experiences ofapplying for funding.

We wish everyone success in theirfuture research!

RDS SE hosts National RDS Residential GrantDevelopment and Writing RetreatUniversity of Kent, 10-12 September 2018

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk

Our events – supporting everystep of your application journey

Research CaféUniversity of Surrey, February2019We held a very successful drop-inResearch Café in February at theUniversity of Surrey. Colleagues atall stages of their research careercame along, from beginners toestablished clinical researchers .

The café format offers researchers a chance to chat over a coffee withexpert RDS SE advisers aboutproposals, funding and researchcareer development. AnotherResearch Café is planned for later in2019.

Look out for details of all upcomingevents across our region, on Twitter,our website and in our RDS SEmonthly e-bulletin.

Keep up-to-date with RDS and NIHR news!Subscribe to RDS SE e-bulletin. Our bulletin brings researchers up to date with regional and national events,training opportunities, funding calls and more. www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk/join-our-mailing-list

Read the RDS blog for tips and hints from the RDS experts! www.rds-eastmidlands.nihr.ac.uk/blog

Follow RDS SE: @NIHR_RDSSE

Before joining the RDS SE in2017, Ellen was an NHSClinical Academic. Herspecialism is Medical Physicswith specific application toradiotherapy. She was first aRadiotherapy Physicist atRaigmore Hospital, Inverness,before joining the RoyalMarsden, London in 1995.

Ellen is an NIHR Research TrainingAdvocate for Healthcare Scientists. Sheheld NIHR fellowships at the RoyalMarsden (2014-17 NIHR CareerDevelopment Fellow and 2010-13HEE/NIHR Post-Doctoral Fellow).

Ellen, what is your main researchinterest and what has been your mostinteresting project?Using new technology in radiotherapyto improve breast cancer treatment andbenefit patients, which was the subjectof my PhD and post-docs. It’s been agreat experience and privilege to beinvolved in UK-wide clinical trials thathave led to changes in radiotherapypractice (Breast Dosimetry, IMPORTand HeartSpare). My first trialexperience showed that the newestradiotherapy techniques of the timecould reduce long-term side effects forbreast cancer patients, such as breastshrinkage and discomfort. It was quite a journey from lab to patients, withmany ups and downs.

Why do you like working at RDS SE?Great colleagues, interacting with clientsand the wide variety of interestingprojects that come to RDS. Everyproject brings something different to theAdviser experience. I like developing arelationship with the researchers andworking out with them how we (RDS)can best support them to produce areally good application. I really enjoyusing my personal experience whensupporting prospective Fellowshipapplicants and sharing tips for success.

Having held NIHR Fellowships yourself,how have you helped others applyingfor research training awards?I have been involved in a range ofactivities. When I was an award holder I presented at NIHR information eventsabout my Fellowship applicationexperience and clinical academic careersgenerally. I’ve written articles for mymedical physics and engineeringcolleagues. I am a mentor for severalpeople with NIHR Clinical Academicfellowships. As an RDS Adviser, I sharemy personal perspective with clients.

What aspects of the Fellowshipapplication process come up whenadvising RDS clients?We discuss whether their researchproposal fulfils the NIHR remit, theircareer ambitions and why they want toapply for a Fellowship. I put forwardsuggestions to improve theirdescriptions of career objectives,current research profile and expertise.Timing is important. Sometimes I advisethem to come back for the next roundof Fellowships, once they have had timeto add to their experience and CV. It’sgood to discuss feedback from the panelwith those whose applications areunsuccessful the first time, and look atpossible resubmission. It’s reallyrewarding when people we have seenthrough the process get their Fellowshipawards; for me it’s one of the best partsof the job!

So if you could choose a ‘dream job’beyond research, what would you gofor?I did think gardening, but suspect myfingers are not green enough. For nowI’m happy being with the ResearchDesign Service.

See Ellen’s helpful guide How to besuccessful when applying for NIHRfellowships:

www.rds-se.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fellowships-pack-29_01_19-v1.3-v2.pdf

Meet the RDS Adviser

Dr Ellen Donovan, RDS SE, University of Surrey