February 2015
From the Clinical Research Network: South West Peninsula
Tell your research story by emailing [email protected]
CRN: SWP Twitter
Monthly e-news for the research community and
frontline research staff in the South West
Study volunteers eager to
re-join research
Innovative new radiotherapy
techniques embraced
New children's clinic room
for Cornwall
Welcome to the third issue
of the South West Clinical
Research News. We’ve
received a huge amount of
feedback for our previous
newsletters and are
delighted with the passion
for sharing the innovative
work taking place within
the region.
We enter into the second
month of 2015 with no
shortage of exciting news.
The South West continues to
demonstrate a readiness to
collaborate across
organisations, trialling new
ideas and forming
partnerships for the
betterment of our population.
This enthusiasm is only
matched by a continued thirst
for innovation. The fruits of
previous labours are really
beginning to show, with a
number of these examples
detailed later in this
publication. This really is an
inspiring time to be involved
in research.
It has also been great to see
our social media research
campaign begin this year. In
the coming months I look
forward to seeing many more
of the enthusiastic faces of
clinicians, academics,
patients and public that make
up our vibrant region, and are
behind some of the incredible
local achievements.
If you can’t wait until next
month’s issue, you can keep
up with our progress and local
news on our ever-growing
Twitter page or through our
website.
If you have good news you
would like to share, or an
event you would like
promoted please do not
hesitate to contact us by
emailing [email protected].
Thank you
Helen Quinn
Chief Operating Officer for
CRN: SWP
Welcome!
EarlyBird recruits
are keen to
continue ground
breaking study
Musgrove Park
embraces new
radiotherapy
innovation
RCHT’s Paediatric
Research Team
win bid for
children’s room
NIHR’s Portfolio
guidance
highlighted in one
handy document
Inside this issue
www.nihr.crn.ac.uk/swpeninsula
Young volunteers eager for research round 3
Plymouth’s unique
‘EarlyBird’ study looking to
understand how childhood
health impacts health in
adulthood is set to continue
thanks to £500,000 in
additional funds.
The EarlyBird study began
fifteen years ago in 2000,
involving 300 five year olds
who would be tracked into
adulthood.
Candidates were
weighed, measured
and investigated to
see how their lifestyles,
diet and exercise patterns
might affect their later health –
especially diabetes.
The study is the only of its kind
in the world to have followed
the same cohort of children for
such a long period of time.
With the increase in funds, the
study organisers are now
looking to re-recruit the original
cohort members.
Two members of the original
cohort confirmed their
eagerness to continue with the
next phase of the trial.
Lauren Bullard, a 19 year old
Education Studies student at
the University of St. Mark & St.
John said: “I’m delighted to be
taking part again. It’s a really
good idea and something
which needs to carry on.”
Sean Bowden, a 19
aaaaaayear old apprentice
aaaaaaPE teacher at Tor
aaaaaBridge Primary School,
was similarly enthused,
saying: “I’m ecstatic to be
asked to take part again. As
I’ve got older I
understand more
about what it is all
about, and it is
especially important
to me because my
auntie died of
diabetes last year. I
strongly believe in EarlyBird.”
The study is led by Plymouth
University in association with
Plymouth Hospitals NHS
Trust and the Clinical
Research Network: South
West Peninsula (National
Institute for Health Research),
with active participation and
support from Nestlé Institute
of Health Sciences Ltd.
EarlyBird3 (as the newly
funded third phase will be
called) is led by Professor
Jonathan Pinkney, Professor
of Endocrinology and
Diabetes at Plymouth
University Peninsula Schools
of Medicine and Dentistry. He
aaaaaaaaasaid: “The data we
aaaaaaaaaextract from
aaaaaaaaaEarlyBird3 will
aaaaaaaaallow us to
aaaaaaainvestigate a number
aaaaaaaof hypotheses about
aaaaaaahow what happens to
aaaaus as a child relates to
our health as an adult. Not
only will this give us a better
understanding of how such
diseases develop, it will also
help us to identify methods
for disease prevention, and
when in our life development
it is best to implement those.”
This research and the data
collected has already allowed
researchers to demonstrate a
link between childhood
obesity and early onset puberty.
“it is especially
important to me
because my
auntie died of
diabetes last year”
“I’m delighted
to be taking part again.”
Previous header:
‘Ground-breaking study to continue’
Set reminder for 6 month to follow up and
cover from research success side, i.e.
western illnesses, maybe quick follow up
with participant or additional quote from
J Pinkney?
Radiotherapy innovations at
Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Park
Hospital is
leading the way
as one of the first
UK hospitals to
implement an
innovative new
radiotherapy
technique.
The change in technique has been implemented after the hospital
was the first to complete the HeartSpare II trial (a clinical trial
which aims to optimise and individualise heart-sparing
radiotherapy techniques), led by the Royal Marsden Hospital and
Institute of Cancer Research - funded by the National Institute for
Health Research (NIHR).
The study demonstrated benefits to patients undergoing breast
radiotherapy using voluntary breath-holding techniques to
reduce the amount of heart tissue exposed to x-rays; the act of
breathing in pulls the heart downwards and backwards. These
techniques are now being used at Musgrove Park. Read more.
Local GP surgery wins
patient engagement
award!
A big congratulations to the
Honiton Surgery Patient
Participation Group for
receiving second place prize
in the NIHR CRN/N.A.P.P.
Research Engagement
Award for 2014. The Honiton
Group won the award by
demonstrating a ‘very
positive example of patients,
carers and the public
working together to promote
the profile of clinical
research’.
Plymouth’s exciting Men C
study collaboration
Plymouth Hospitals NHS
Trust, Public Health Teams
and local educational
establishments have joined
forces to bring a
Meningococcal Carriage
Study into schools and
colleges in the Plymouth
area. Through this new
collaboration across multiple
teams, the study which will
involve taking throat swabs
from willing teenagers will
pave the way for a new
potential way of working for
future studies.
With a study target of 1,500
recruits to be met by the end
of March 2015 it’s reported
to be all hands on deck!
Find out more about this
nationwide study here
www.nihr.crn.ac.uk/swpeninsula
Cornwall’s cardiac team join new stent registry
Good for web article.
Royal Cornwall Hospital’s (RCHT)
cardiac team have become the
second in the UK to sign up
patients to a new registry tracking
the performance of around 20,000
stents over the next three years.
Stents are life-savers, commonly
used to treat patients in emergency situations following a heart
attack, or in planned procedures where a blockage has been
diagnosed.
In 2001 RCHT’s Cardiac Cath Lab was the first unit in the UK
outside of a major heart surgery centre to carry out a coronary
angioplasty, the procedure to insert the stents.
Ensure follow up in next issue. What did they submit? Photos, etc.
Follow up in April – h/l board?
Proud of your
team? Promote
your
achievements
here! Email
CRN.SWP@nhs.
net
Excellent recruitment recognised for Yeovil District Hospital team!
Very well done to the YDH team who received the below message from Dr Nick Levell, Dermatology Specialty National Lead:
“I would like to say very well done on your excellent recruitment so far into this study. Your site has been highlighted by Novartis as performing excellently and this has been recognised and is appreciated. When Novartis originally outlined the Signature study at one of our National Dermatology Specialty Group meeting's we agreed that the Network could make a real difference to recruitment and your outstanding performance is helping us to prove this to Novartis.”
Our apologies for attributing this news to TSFT in our last newsletter.
The Yeovil research team were very pleased to receive a certificate of recognition from the NIHR for maximising the impact of research activity undertaken in their organisation after entering the Health Service Journal Clinical Research Impact Awards.
New child friendly clinic
room for Cornwall
Royal Cornwall
Hospital’s paediatric
research team has
successfully won a
bid to create a child
friendly clinic room.
Over the festive period
The hospital trust ran a
‘12 days of Christmas’
fundraising event, with
teams submitting bids for
ideas for extra
equipment or initiatives to enhance patient care. The paediatric
research team were successful, and thanks to the
generosity of patients, staff and visitors has
received £730 to transform an outpatient clinic
room.
In order to make the clinic room more appealing
to children it will be decorated with wall stickers,
mobiles, colourful storage boxes and a range of
distraction equipment such as bubbles, stickers and
colouring books to help create a stress-free visit.
New Lead Research Nurse
for Taunton
The CRN: SWP is delighted
to welcome Andrea Mostyn-
Jones as the new Lead
Research Nurse for TSFT.
Andrea brings a wealth of
experience with her, having
previously worked in a
number of roles, most
recently as that of Matron for
Haematology, Oncology,
Radiotherapy, and Palliative
care at Taunton’s Beacon
Centre.
DRIVE Project
The collaborative DRIVE
Project between CRN: SWP
and SW Academic Health
aScience Network is on
aaatrack, with the aim to
aaaareduce variations in
aaaa research delivery aaaa
aaaaaacross the region
aaaaregion. More here.
aaaNew website!
aCFT have a glossy new
research website, visit here.
CFT website (could move
to page before)
Local news – or give link if necessary to have mix of news
The ‘RESEARCH’ social media
campaign is here!
As introduced in our December issue, the
research letters are now touring the
South West, snapping pictures with
research teams, clinicians, academics,
patient groups and the public to
help raise awareness
of the great research
taking place.
to see how you
and your team can
get involved!
www.nihr.crn.ac.uk/swpeninsula
National round up
Join Dementia Research (JDR) is a national project aiming to
improve dementia care by increasing the number of people
involved in dementia research and increasing the co-
ordination, speed and efficiency of the CRN.
Enthusiasm in the South West has been picking up
speed, with 84 volunteers now signed up, 28 of
which have been matched to local studies.
One matched patient has already been recruited
into the IDEAL study which aims to improve the
experience of dementia enhancing an active life.
The national launch of the project is will take place on
Tuesday 24 February, so expect to hear plenty more in the
coming months.
People of any health and age are welcome to sign up. Would
you like to join the fight against dementia? Sign up today:
www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk
Young people set to change the future of mental
health research The NIHR CRN: Mental Health ran a unique event on 29
January 2015 focused around the importance of research into
the mental health of young people. The event held in London,
was organised by the network’s Young People’s Advisory
Group comprising 14 members aged between 16-24.
Attracting a wide range of speakers and engaging attendees
in topical discussion, it was lauded as a success by
attendees. Expect to see more in the future! Read more here.
Spotlight on key policies
The NIHR CRN have released a
policy highlight notice to draw
attention to the key policies and
guidance available in supporting
aaathe CRN Portfolio. This
aaaaaaincludes information on
aaaaaaaeligibility, cost
aaaaaaaaattribution, multi-
aaaaaaaaaspecialty studies and
aaaaaaaaaconsent. Click here
aaaaaaaaato access the notice.
Aaaaaaa Impact of new
aaaaaaaCRN Coordinating
aaaaaCentre contract
Dr Jonathan Sheffield has
written a letter to stakeholders
detailing the new NIHR CRN
CC’s five year contract, and
what effects these changes may
have. To read the letter click
here.
Do you have a research
suggestion?
The NIHR’s Evaluation, Trials
and Studies (NETS) programme
is seeking suggestions for
research to meet the needs of
healthcare professionals,
patients and the public.
Find out more here.
South West Emergency Academic Team
(SWEAT) Conference
Thursday 5 March
Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton
Attend this free emergency healthcare event to
network, learn more about research and
showcase your work. CEM approved, 5 CPD
Points.
To book place email: [email protected]
NIHR Regional Meeting - London: Celebrating
Clinical Research Nursing 2015
Monday 2 March, 09:30-15:45
St George’s Hospital, London
Practicing NIHR Clinical Research Nurses are
invited to attend this event to network and hear from
a number of key speakers. Spaces are limited,
book a place here by no later than 23 February.
www.nihr.crn.ac.uk/swpeninsula
In the news international quality.
These results have been
published as a part of a
report released by the
Research Excellence
Framework (REF). Read
the full story covered by
the Evening Herald here.
Exeter research
published in
American Journal of
Medicine Research carried out by
the University of Exeter
Medical School,
and the
psychology
departments
of the
University
of Exeter
and the
University of
Southampton
has now been
published in the
American Journal of Medicine.
The research looked at
how doctors who
unintentionally
communicate to patients
that they do not believe
or understand them can
actually make their
symptoms worse.
Described as a ‘nocebo’
response, the research
indicated that this
breakdown in
communication could
aaaaaa result in anger,
aaaaaaaa distress and
aaaaaaaaaa physiological
aaaaaaaaaaa conditions
aaaaaaaaaaaa that
aaaaaaaaaaaaawould
aaaaaaaaaaaaaworsen
aaaaaaaaaaaaaillness.
aaaaaaaaaaaaRead
aaaaaaaaaaamore here.
£1.2 million
received for new
medical research
teaching facilities Plymouth University
have been awarded
£1.2million to build
new teaching
facilities, in addition to
the recently
announced new £13
million research
building.
The funding was
received from the
Higher Education
Funding Council for
England (HEFCE),
and once the facilities
are complete the
Biomedical and
Human Bioscience
teams will move to
the Plymouth Science
Park site.
Read more here.
Cornwall Research
Forum Thursday 9 April
10:15-15:15
Knowledge Spa, RCHT
Attend for a chance to
network and see a
showcase of local
research. Keynote
speakers include Dr
Jonathan Sheffield and
Prof Steve Thornton.
Contact Michelle Hill
Research Site
Initiative
(RSI)/Sessional
Scheme Practices
Meeting Tuesday 10 March
12:15-16:00
Exeter Racecourse
Attend for a chance to
learn more about
research in primary care
and participate in
discussions.
Contact Debbie Brown
Parkinson’s
research event Friday 6 March
11:00-16:00
Plymouth Science
Park
Patients and carers
are invited to attend for
an opportunity to hear
about Parkinson’s
research in the South
West and how to get
involved.
Contact CRN: SWP
Next issue due
out in March
2015!
Send your
stories and
events to [email protected]
Exeter University &
The Alzheimer's
Society join forces The Alzheimer's Society has launched a new dementia-focussed Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Exeter. This centre will support eight PhD students to investigate the effect of dementia on the brain's neural networks.
University’s research
quality recognised Plymouth University
has been recognised
for the quality of its
clinical research, with
around 80 per cent of
research conducted at
the university
recognised as world-
leading or of