Search the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website
News
Welcome to our news section where you can keep up to date with all that is going on in research locally and nationally, along with professional training and qualification updates and study updates.
Local Research News
Rainbow for Research art competition — winners announced!
Between 14.10.24-2.12.24 we asked people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to dust down their paintbrushes and get creative by showing us what health research means to them — in art form.
We were overwhelmed by the number, variety and quality of the entries so a HUGE thank you to everyone who took. Shortlisting and judging was made very tricky!
However — we are pleased to announce (17.12.24) that the winners are:
- Aged 0-8 years category:
- Florence, age 8
- Aged 9-16 years category:
- Lalita, age 11
- Charley, age 11
- Aged 16+ category:
- Amelie, student at the University of Worcester
- Clair, Senior Community Nurse in this Trust
The winners will have their entry made into a poster which will be displayed in towns across Herefordshire and Worcestershire as well as at Trust sites from 20.1.25 (Blue Monday). They will also receive a One4All shopping voucher. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!
If you would like to display some of the winning posters in your department/place of work please email us: WHCNHS.ResearchDevelopment@nhs.net. We'd like lots displayed across our Trust!
Local publications:
HWHCT Research Newsletters
December 2024: R&D December 2024 newsletter FINAL.pdf [pdf] 2MB
October 2024: R&D Autumn 2024 newsletter FINAL.pdf [pdf] 1MB
June 2024: R&D June 2024 newsletter.pdf [pdf] 1MB
April 2024: R&D April 2024 newsletter.pdf [pdf] 1MB
February 2024: R&D February 2024 newsletter.pdf [pdf] 1MB
Christmas 2023: Christmas 2023 Research newsletter.pdf [pdf] 1MB
September 2023: September 2023 Research newsletter.pdf [pdf] 1MB
RDN WM (Research Delivery Network West Midlands) Bulletin
RDN WM (Research Delivery Network West Midlands) Wellbeing Bulletin
Health Innovation West Midlands (formally WMAHSN)
Local research news:
Research Collaborators
We launched the Research Collaborator role (similar to a 'champion' like role) in November 2022 whose aim was to enable ANYONE who works at HWHCT to get involved in research. Over 30 staff stepped up and have supported the delivery of research across the Trust. HUGE thanks for your work to date.
If you want to help us promote research within your teams as well as to patients, maybe learn something new, meet a group of like-minded people, and can give 1 hour a month (max), then we’d love to hear from you. We welcome new people at any time! Email: alice.madden1@nhs.net for further information.
Staff and student Shadowing opportunities with the R&D Team
We have developed a shadowing day to enable more people to gain access to a basic understanding of how NHS health research works and show the paths that can be taken to get more involved.
If you or anyone you know in your team is interested please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing us: WHCNHS.ResearchDevelopment@nhs.net
PI (Principal Investigator) essentials virtual training
Are you a new PI or someone who's interested in finding out more? Then look this is the course for you. Spring 2025 dates are: 26.2.25; 27.2.25 and 4.3.25, all 9.30am — 11.30am. To book you place visit: https://learn.nihr.ac.uk/mod/facetoface/view.php?f=872.
Aims and objectives of the course are:
- Discuss the PI leadership role in effective study identification, set up, recruitment and conduct.
- Explore 3 elements of success in PI role: engagement, oversight and communication
- Identify the skills and behaviours required to be an effective PI
Please contact us for further info.
2024 Research & Development Conference, 14-18.10.24
We had a fantastic week hosting our 4th annual Research and Development conference which was facilitated by Sam Topping (Operational Lead for Research and Development, here at HWHCT).
As in previous years the aim of this conference was to showcase some of the fantastic work that's happening in the research world (Monday 14 — Wednesday 16 October) as well as giving staff and local partners from Herefordshire and Worcestershire a platform to showcase their work (Thursday 17 October), and the Launch of the Memorandum of Understanding between our Trust and University of Worcester (Friday 18 October).
HUGE thanks to our brilliant speakers who gave their time to join and inspire us. We couldn't have done it without you. Over 440 free virtual tickets were requested across the week so thank you to those who joined us. Recordings of the event will be uploaded in November so if you couldn't make it please take a listen.
Sam Topping (Operational Lead for Research and Development)
Recordings of each session will be uploaded here by November 2024 along with presentation slides (where possible).
For further information please visit our conference pages.
Colleagues work published (1.2.24)
Huge congratulations to Saff Davies (Community Learning Disability Nurse) and Dr Natasha Lord (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) who are co-authors of articles that have been published in the Jan/Feb edition of the Journal of Dementia Care.
Saff’s article looks at: ‘Preparing to care: Training for carers of people with dementia and a learning disability.’
Natasha’s article explores: ‘Implementing a Digital Life Stories Project on an patient dementia ward: Initial findings and reflections.’
Click here to read the articles in full: JDCJAN24_40pp (1).pdf [pdf] 5MB
National Research news
Headline national news:
Be Part of Research - now on the NHS App
The online service - Be Part of Research - which makes it easy for people to find and take part in health and care research, is now available through the NHS App in England.
The service, run by the NIHR, helps members of the public understand what research is and what it might mean to take part, as well as showing the research currently happening across the UK.
Through the Be Part of Research website, people can search for what trials and studies are taking place for particular health conditions they are interested in, at locations that are easy for them to get to. Read more here.
National news:
NIHR funds new study to improve care for vulnerable children - 5.12.24
First participant recruited on landmark cancer screening trial - 29.11.24
NIHR launches £25 million funding to decarbonise the health and social care system - 28.11.24
Inclusion now a key condition for NIHR funding - 27.11.24
NIHR Challenge Maternity Disparities Consortium members announced - 26.11.24
NIHR and OLS invest £7.8m in new technology to benefit patients - 21.11.24
GPs supported to help patients with depression through new specialist clinics - 11.11.24
New research to help reduce demand for drugs in young people - 5.11.24
NIHR hands multi-million dementia funding to top UK research institute - 5.11.24
Trial to address disabling cognitive condition affecting stroke survivors to begin - 29.11.24
£80 million funding boost for research to protect the health of the nation - 25.10.24
UK’s first norovirus mRNA vaccine trial launched - 23.10.24
NIHR and OLS fund innovative research to help tackle drug deaths - 17.10.24
Professional News, Training and Qualification updates
How can nurses get involved in local research initiatives? (Feb/March 2024)
Case study 1: Hear from 2 nurses — Donna Clements and Jo Moore from Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust - as they share their experience in delivering a NIHR Portfolio study in a busy community leg ulcer clinic. It has been published on the Queens Nursing Institute website and is available to view via this link: How Can Nurses Get Involved in Local Research Initiatives? – The Queen's Nursing Institute (qni.org.uk)
Case study 2: Becoming a research-active Community Learning Disabilities Nurse: Hear from Anca Manea — Community Learning Disabilities Nurse at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust — stitute who was awarded a NICHE Fellowship to develop her work in improving antenatal pathways for women and birthing people with learning disabilities. Read more here.
RDN (Research Delivery Network) Connect newsletters
25.11.24 edition;11.11.24 edition;28.10.24 edition
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) news and updates
December 2024 update;November 2024 update;October 2024 update
NHS Research and Development Forum newsletters
November 2024 newsletter;October 2024 newsletter;
Be Part of Research Newsletter
Awaiting new edition
Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) Directory Bulletin ( Homepage - Clinical Research Practitioners Directory - NIHR (ahcs.ac.uk))
September 2024 Bulletin;June 2024 Bulletin; April 2024 Bulletin;
Applied Research Collaborations (ARC’s) newsletter
December 2024;November 2024;October 2024
UK Community Nursing Research Forum (hosted by the Queen's Nursing Institute)
November 2024 newsletter; October 2024 newsletter
HRA Latest (Health Research Authority)
News Archive
Archive of local publications:
HWHCT Research and Development Newsletters
June 2022: June 2022 .pdf [pdf] 725KB
April 2022: April 2022 update.pdf [pdf] 738KB
February 2022: February 2022 update.pdf [pdf] 324KB
Christmas 2021: Research newsletter Christmas 2021.pdf [pdf] 4MB
Autumn 2021: Research quarterly newsletter Autumn 2021.pdf [pdf]
Summer 2021: Research quarterly newsletter summer 2021.pdf [pdf] 741KB
Clinical Research Network West Midlands (CRN WM) Bulletin (2023 editions)
2.6.23: CRN WM Bulletin #78 (campaign-archive.com) 19.5.23: CRN WM Bulletin #77 (campaign-archive.com) 5.5.23: CRN WM Bulletin #76 (campaign-archive.com) 14.4.23: CRN WM Bulletin #75 (campaign-archive.com) 31.3.23: CRN WM Bulletin #74 (campaign-archive.com)17.3.23: CRN WM Bulletin #73 (campaign-archive.com) 3.3.23: CRN WM Bulletin #72 (campaign-archive.com) 17.2.23: CRN WM Bulletin #71 (campaign-archive.com) 3.2.23: CRN WM Bulletin #70 (campaign-archive.com) 6.1.23: CRN WM Bulletin #69 (campaign-archive.com)
CRN WM (Clinical Research Network West Midlands) Wellbeing Bulletin
Grit and Determination - May 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week - Anxiety Wellbeing Bulletin - May 2023 Doing our bit - April 2023 Wellbeing Bulletin - April 2023 Wellbeing Bulletin - March 2023 Staying motivated in the winter months - February 2023 Wellbeing Bulletin - January 2023
Archive of national publications
CRN (Clinical Research Network) Connect newsletters (2023 eds)
Monday 7 August 2023 Monday 31 July 2023 Monday 24 July 2023 Monday 17 July 2023 Monday 10 July 2023 Monday 3 July 2023 Monday 26 June 2023 Monday 19 June 2023 Monday 12 June 2023 Monday 5 June 2023 Monday 22 May 2023 Monday 15 May 2023 Tuesday 9 May 2023 Tuesday 2 May 2023 Monday 24 April 2023 Monday 17 April 2023 Monday 3 April 2023 Monday 27 March 2023 Monday 20 March 2023
NHS Research and Development Forum newsletter
May 2023 April 2023 17 April 2023 - Red for Research - Save the date! 16.6.23 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022
Be Part of Research Newsletter
Winter (Feb) 2023 Autumn (October) 2022 Summer (August) 2022
Health Research Authority (HRA) Updates
April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023
Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP) Directory Bulletin ( Homepage - Clinical Research Practitioners Directory - NIHR (ahcs.ac.uk))
March 2023 Jan/Feb 2023 October 2022 August 2022
UK Community Nursing Research Forum (hosted by the Queen's Nursing Institute)
May newsletter April newsletter March Newsletter February Newsletter January Newsletter - QNI Community Nursing Research Forum (mailchi.mp)
Study updates
Hearing Nasty Voices
We were pleased to be one of the first NHS Trust’s to open this study in February 2020 and, although paused during COVID, was open through until December 2021. 3 people were recruited contributing to the 308 participants recruited in total.
HUGE thanks to teams in this Trust involved in this study who have helped broaden understanding of the potential causes of distress in voice hearers focussing on one type of experience – hearing derogatory or threatening voices. Click below to read the full report: https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/49/1/151/6659785
Psychological Impact of COVID-19 - intial results from phase 1 of the study (December 2021)
The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 (phase 1) looked at the psychological impact of the first lockdown, the relaxation of lockdown rules and the compulsory face coverings period. These inital results show the varying impacts of each of the above listed periods on different population sub groups - including gender, age, ethnicity and professional groups. Please click here to read the full article.
HUGE thanks to everyone who took part.
COPE-WM: Initial findings from this study were released 19.11.21
COPE-WM was a far reaching questionnaire study available to anyone who worked in healthcare. It closed at the end of September 2021.
The study released their initial findings on 19.11.21 which included:
- Unsurprisingly those healthcare employees who had a positive COVID-19 test result were more likely to provide direct care to patients with COVID-19
- There was poor infection control at the beginning of the pandemic but effective infection control measures were implemented after this initial period
- Experience of working during the pandemic:
- Demand as outstripping capacity
- Peer support at work was as important as ever
- Morally challenging decisions in the workplace
- Mixed re-deployment experiences
- Impact on mental health:
- Mental health deterioration experienced during the pandemic
- Uncertainty during the pandemic
- Mental health coping mechanisms disabled
- Working from home as problematic for mental health
- Positive antibody rates:
- Prior to vaccination 46% of participants had had a COVID infection (included study participants who had answered ‘yes’ as being symptomatic who then qualified to receive an antibody test kit)
- From December 2020 rates of antibody positivity rise dramatically following the 1st and 2nd dose of vaccination to 98+%
- A study coming in the new year – COCO – will further look into the issues raised here
They have only released preliminary findings including the above so we will share the full report once it’s released.
We’ve also received a request from the study regarding the follow up survey:
‘Thank you to everyone that took the time to complete the COPE-WM study baseline survey. If you completed the baseline survey and this was more than 4 months ago you should have received an email asking you to complete the follow up survey for the study. The email was sent to the email address you provided when asked for your personal email address when you completed the baseline survey. Thank you to everyone who has already completed their follow up survey.
Please be aware that for some participants the COPE-WM study emails have been filtered to their spam/junk folder – please check there if you think you should have received an email
If, however, you received a request email but have not yet completed the survey we would encourage you to do so to ensure your follow up data contributes to the study outcomes. Survey completion should take no more than 20 minutes of your time.
If you took part in the study more than 4 months ago and either have not received an email request to complete the follow up survey or remember receiving one but are no longer able to access it and would like to complete the survey please contact the study research team by email:
If you took part less than 4 months ago please keep an eye out for the email about the follow up that you should receive in the next few weeks.
The higher the number of participants who complete their follow up survey the better the study will be able to understand the impact of COVID-19 on people working in healthcare settings.’
THANK YOU once again to everyone who took part in this study.
iMCSP (individualised Meeting Centres Support Programme) – initial findings
We were involved in this research study a few years ago so please click below for the results: CIA_A_212852 1527..1553 (dovepress.com). Thank you to those who were involved.
SYMBAD trial results - October 2021
HWHCT took part in this trial so we were really pleased to receive these results at the end of October 2021. The main results have been published in the Lancet: https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0140673621012101 but please see below for the summary outcomes:
‘In summary we found that there was no benefit in taking mirtazapine compared with placebo, there was even the possibility of harm with a marginally higher rate of mortality in the mirtazapine group. The clear conclusion from the data is that they do not support the use of mirtazapine as a treatment for agitation in dementia. Positively there was clear recovery in those that participated in both the placebo and the mirtazapine group. This means that the best thing to do clinically may be to actively monitor agitation while carrying out treatment as usual, rather than jumping to use another medication in all but the most serious of cases.
This is a result that has important implications to clinical practice, and we hope that you will join with us in disseminating the findings as widely as possible. There has been a press release: Research news - Common antidepressant should no longer be used to treat people with dementia - University of Exeter by the University of Plymouth and the team would be happy to work with your local institutions and Trusts should you wish to provide further public information. Alzheimer’s Research UK has also published an article: Antidepressant drug doesn’t improve agitation in dementia trial - Alzheimer's Research UK (alzheimersresearchuk.org) ’
HUGE thanks to everyone who was involved in this study at HWHCT.
PrEP Impact Trial – A pragmatic health technology assessment and implementation.
PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a medicine for HIV negative people and it can reduce the risk of catching HIV when taken as instructed. However this is currently not available through the NHS.
PrEP is made up of two drugs, Tenofovir and Emtricitabine. Both these drugs have been widely used for many years to treat HIV and the drug has been used by several thousands of HIV negative people worldwide to reduce the risk of HIV.
To plan a PrEP programme in England, NHS England and Local Authorities carried out research to find out:
- How many people attending sexual health clinics need PrEP?
- How many of these start PrEP?
- How long do they need PrEP for?
In this Trust the study ran across the 3 Sexual Health Services; Arrowside, John Anthony Centre and Hereford and 64 patients were recruited. All participants in this study had access to PrEP.
This study has now closed but we will share the outcomes when they are published later this year. A huge thank you to everyone who was involved.