Research & Development Conference hailed a success
In its fourth year, the conference was held at the Postgraduate Medical Centre on Friday 26 September. More than 175 healthcare professionals and academic researchers from across the south west heard various research teams at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and its research partners.
This year’s conference explored the journey of research from the perspectives of all those involved; doctors, clinical and research nurses, the university, ethics and patients.
Dr Helen Neilens, Research Advisor at Plymouth Hospitals, said: “We are absolutely delighted with how well the conference was received – it lived up to expectations and more. One of the many highlights of the conference was our patient, Alethea Wigzell, who gave a very inspiring talk on her participation in the recent CUPID study run at Plymouth Hospitals by Professor John Zajicek.
“The Research and Development Team would like to thank everyone who was involved and who attended the event.”
A number of leading researchers were invited to speak at the event this year, including Professor Jonathan Benger, National Clinical Director for Urgent Care, NHS England, who presented on ‘Re-designing the Emergency Ambulance’. Dr Renny Leach, Managing Director for the South West Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) gave a talk on the role of the AHSNs in the wider health economy and Professor Jonathan Montgomery, Chair of the Health Research Authority (HRA), National Research Ethics
Service discussed the governance around HRA approval and other initiatives.
Other speakers included:
• Surg. Capt. Jason Smith, RN, Consultant in Emergency, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Professor Matthew Cramp, Hepatology Consultant, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Dr Michael Jarvis, Associate Professor Virology and Immunology, Plymouth University
• Professor Michael Hyland, Professor for Health Psychology, Plymouth University
• Dr David Mozley, Specialist Advisor on Intellectual Property, Plymouth University
• Nicola Crosbie, Haematology Research Nurse Specialist, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Dr Mark Rockett, Consultant Anaesthetist, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Liz Ridgway, Oncology Specialist Nurse (Thyroid and Sarcoma), Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Jonathan Sheffield, Chief Executive Officer, NIHR Clinical Research Network, said: “It is a great pleasure to return to this conference in Plymouth and hear about the progress and achievements made in the time since I last attended. Plymouth Hospitals and the neighbouring NHS health care organisations have a strong and improving record of clinical research. I look forward to meeting the people who have made this progress possible.”
In addition to the conference, 30 posters were presented by researchers from organisations across the peninsula, which were judged by Andy Barton and Paul Ewings from the Research Design Services.
Feedback provided after the event included “Best conference I’ve ever been to” and “I found the topics to be extremely interesting, aided by speakers with infectious enthusiasm. The organisation of the day was professional and fluid, yet informal. The food was of course excellent and the staff in all areas were friendly and helpful. Overall, I was very impressed and I would love to come again.”
Clinical research is a vital part of the NHS and provides the evidence required to establish ‘what works’ to help develop effective treatments for patient care.
Research and clinical trials range from questionnaires to highly complex randomised control trials, testing new drugs and therapies on sometimes rare conditions.
