News

PRIME research in @ResearchWales magazine

14 December 2018

The fifth issue of the @ResearchWales magazine is now live, featuring the latest health and social care research news from across Wales including PRIME Centre Wales' focused news stories:

'The Welsh ‘code-breaker’ making our visits to the GP safer' - looking at how analysis of patient safety incident records is being used to improve patient safety in primary care in Wales and beyond, led by Andrew Carson-Stevens is (pages 16-17).
'PRIME & Swansea Centre for Health Economics helping to improve community care services' - looking at the evaluation of the community based pathfinder service for treating Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (Wet AMD) in the community, led by Rachel North (page 5).

Read the magazine here.

PhD - Engaging high-risk disadvantaged populations in shared decision making about low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening has become the standard of care for high-risk groups in the US, and the case for implementation of stratified screening is building in the UK. Despite a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality (Aberle et al, 2011), LDCT screening is not without harms, and in accordance with healthcare policy in Wales (Bradley et al, 2014; Atherton et al, 2016) patients need to be educated about the potential benefits, harms and limitations of screening so that they make a decision that is right for them. Lung cancer disproportionately affects individuals from disadvantaged communities in Wales, and if LDCT screening is to be introduced, we need to understand how we can best support disadvantaged populations to become involved in shared decision making regarding their lung screening decision in a way that avoids widening socioeconomic inequalities in lung cancer outcomes.

The aim of the proposed PhD is to understand how we can best support shared decision making regarding low-dose computed tomography in high-risk disadvantaged populations in Wales, with a view to developing a patient decision support intervention.

Deadline for applications: 27 February 2019

Further information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-in-population-medicine-engaging-high-risk-disadvantaged-populations-in-shared-decision-making-about-low-dose-computed-tomography-lung-cancer-screening/?p104756

PhD - Adverse childhood experiences and their association with child health and development in low and middle income countries

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

Supervisors: Lisa Hurt, Victor Adekanmbi

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that may have lasting effects on health and wellbeing. Exposure to ACEs has been shown to be associated with poor child and adult outcomes in high income countries, but very little is known about their burden or effects in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and whether they are important predictors of child outcomes once socio-economic status has been accounted for.

This PhD project will:

Examine the burden of ACEs in LMICs;
Examine whether there is an association between ACEs and child health and development outcomes in LMICs; and
Examine how ACEs might be understood and used in preventative public health programmes in LMICs.

Deadline for applications: 27 February 2019

Further information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-in-population-medicine-adverse-childhood-experiences-and-their-association-with-child-health-and-development-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/?p104748

PhD - Antimicrobial stewardship for asthma exacerbation

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University

Supervisors: Dr Nick Francis, Prof Shantini Paranjothy

This project addresses the priority area antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a key public health threat. Use of antibiotics drives AMR and most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care. Previous research and antimicrobial stewardship activities have addressed overuse of antibiotics for many conditions, but antibiotic use of asthma exacerbations is under-researched. More than one in ten people have a diagnosis of asthma at some point.

Most asthma exacerbations are not caused by bacterial infections, systematic reviews of poor quality studies have not found convincing evidence of benefit from antibiotic treatment, and guidelines recommend against antibiotic treatment, but around half of GP consultations for asthma exacerbations are treated with antibiotics.

This project aims to better describe the use of antibiotics for asthma exacerbations (including children who are prescribed asthma medications but do not have a diagnosis of asthma), determine the effect of antibiotics on reducing serious outcomes such as pneumonia and hospital admissions in people with asthma exacerbations, and understand the factors leading to antibiotic prescribing for asthma exacerbations in primary care.

Deadline for applications: 27 February 2019

Further information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-in-population-medicine-antimicrobial-stewardship-for-asthma-exacerbation/?p104757

Success at University of South Wales Impact Awards 2018

23 November 2018

Dr Carolyn Wallace (PRIME Centre Wales Lead for Social Care research theme) and Professor David Pontin, of Centre for Research & Innovation in Care Sciences, University of South Wales and colleagues were prize winners at the University of South Wales Impact Awards 2018. The team was awarded prizes for 'Best Overall Impact' and 'Best Societal Impact'for their impact on policy and practice.

The family resilience assessment instrument (FRAIT) has been incorporated into Welsh Government’s Healthy Child Wales Programme and is now used by health visitors across Wales.

Partners in this project include Cwm Taf University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. This award was sponsored by Tata Steel. Read more.

Watch a short video about the FRAIT model here: https://youtu.be/t68BbwVSlZ4

Evaluation of the ground-breaking Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

14 November 2018

The Welsh Government has commissioned a partnership between leading academics across four universities in Wales and expert advisers to deliver the evaluation of the ground-breaking Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

Professor Mark Llewellyn, Director of the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care (WIHSC) at the University of South Wales (USW), will lead the team alongside Professor Fiona Verity, Director of the Wales School for Social Care Research. Dr Carolyn Wallace (pictured above), Reader in Integrated Care at University of South Wales and Lead for social acre research at PRIME Centre Wales is leading on the multiagency theme.

Colleagues from Swansea University, Bangor University and Cardiff University will also work as partners in the study, which is being supported by PRIME Centre Wales. Read more.

PhD studentship open to applications:

Capturing understandings of, and responses to Loneliness: an iterative mixed method study with a focus on those from targeted ‘seldom heard’ minority population groups aged 70 years and over

University of South Wales

This study addresses the current paucity of loneliness research that focuses on older minority population groups.

Aim 1: Map social policy context.

Objective 1: Examination of survey data (e.g., UK Census data, National Survey for Wales) in order to provide a national picture of the sample population and key loneliness and social isolation variables, as linked to relevant social and public policy and practice priorities. Underpinned by a review of the research literature, an explanatory statistical framing for the survey work to be undertaken will also emerge from this work package.

Aim 2: Capture (i) understandings of loneliness, (ii) levels of agency and coping strategies, and (iii) pathways to, and preferred models of support. Two older population ‘umbrella’ groups will be targeted: (i) older migrant and minority population groups, and (ii) older people across all ethnic groups who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

The successful applicant will attend the Doctoral Training Alliance Autumn and Summer Schools and have access to a bespoke ‘elective programme’ hosted across the alliance.

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2018

Further information: https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=99857

Best poster at Health and Care Research Conference

29 October 2018

Congratulations to Victoria Shepherd, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Trials Research and PRIME Centre Wales, won the best poster award at the Health and Care Research Wales annual conference held 25th October.

Victoria's poster was entitled: ‘Research inequalities in health and social care: how can we address the exclusion of adults who lack capacity to consent?’

Commenting on the award, Victoria said: “I am delighted to have won the first ever best poster award at the Health and Care Research Wales conference.

“The poster presents some of the findings from my NIHR Fellowship funded by Health and Care Research Wales which is looking at research involving adults who lack capacity to consent. It is great to have this work recognised through this award.”

Taking second and joint-third place for best poster were:

Second - Make a quack about your research, Cheryl Lee, Health and Care Research Wales
Third - A changing identity: a focus group study of the experiences of women diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and their psychosocial support needs, Ceri Phelps, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Third - The unmet health and social care needs of older caregiver: a systematic review, Alisha Newman, Wales Cancer Research Centre

With over 330 of you in attendance at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff last week, the conference focused on the theme of future-proofing research in Wales with thought-provoking, interactive workshops and 35 speakers who discussed the role of Welsh research in shaping the treatment and care of the future. Read more.

Launch of All Wales Social Prescribing Research Network (WSPRN) web page

30 October 2018

The All Wales Social Prescribing Research Network (WSPRN) have launched a new web page hosted by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.

The aim of the network is to build the critical evidence for social prescribing in Wales. It is a research platform to support the three communities of practice in North, West and East Wales. It is primarily a virtual network with face-to-face events across Wales.

PRIME Centre Wales is proud to support WSPRN - Dr Carolyn Wallace, PRIME lead for Social Care collaboration and Reader in Integrated Care at the University of South Wales co-chairs the WSPRN Steering Group, with Judith Stone and Dr Sally Rees.

Keep up with the latest developments and get involved - visit the web page at: https://www.wcva.org.uk/what-we-do/the-social-services-and-wellbeing-(wales)-act-the-role-of-the-sector/wales-social-prescribing-research-network

PRIME receives runner-up in Public Involvement awards

26 October 2018

The PRIME Centre Wales Patient Safety Research group were recognised as runner-up in the Health and Care Research Wales Public Involvement Award 2018, announced at the Health and Care Research Wales conference held 25th October.

Dr Andy Carson-Stevens, lead for Patient safety research at PRIME, Mr Anthony Chuter, member of the public, and team received a special mention for their submission: ‘Patient safety research group: Improving patient safety in primary care’.

The main prize was awarded to the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) for their pioneering work on public involvement in mental health research.

BJGP Research Conference - Call for Abstracts

29 March 2019 | RCGP, London

Inspiring researchers and authors of the future

Following the success of our inaugural conference, the BJGP Research Conference returns for a second year.

It's an exceptional opportunity to present your research in a constructive, peer-reviewed environment and receive moderated feedback, no matter what your career stage.

Abstracts reporting the results or preliminary findings of quantitative and qualitative primary care research will be welcome.

Abstracts should not exceed 250 words.

Submission deadline: Sunday 11 November 2018

Further information: https://rcgp-news.com/49LX-E53C-4D3DUVNK9A/cr.aspx

Social Prescribing: how to create a sustainable journey?

10 October 2018

Dr Carolyn Wallace, Judith Stone and Dr Sally Rees outline the advantages of a social prescriptive approach to solving individuals’ problems in the community, and ask how we might build appropriate assets to ensure its sustainability

Social Prescribing is a term which is growing in importance throughout our health and community services and within health and social care policy. It’s a term that few members of the public recognise; some reject it as the medicalisation of what should be a normal process of connecting people and for third sector organisations, it’s core business. Others are concerned that the systematic referral of ‘patients’ through social prescription models places pressure on community and neighbourhood resources, which may have a detrimental effect on volunteers and third sector organisations. Read full story.

Aspirin and the treatment of cancer

News item authored by Professor Peter Elwood

9 October 2018

Against a background of controversy about the value of aspirin as a preventive in healthy subjects, a rather different use of the drug has recently been highlighted.

Fifty years ago evidence suggestive of benefit from aspirin beyond the reduction of pain and fever, was reported. In two remarkable papers published in 1968 and 1973 Gabriel Gasic and colleagues described the role of platelets in the metastatic spread of cancer.

They showed that a deficiency of platelets is associated with a reduction in the risk of cancer, and that experimentally-induced metastasis are reduced by aspirin. They concluded that these findings ‘strongly support the role of platelet aggregation and the platelet release reaction in metastasis’. Read more.

Coproduction and health: Public and clinicians’ perceptions of the barriers and facilitators

5 October 2018

Coproduction is an approach increasingly recognised across public services internationally. However, awareness of the term and the barriers and facilitators to its implementation in the NHS are not widely understood. This study examines clinician and public perceptions of coproduction within the context of the Prudent Healthcare initiative.

This PRIME Centre Wales led study funded by Health and Care Research Wales has found that there is broadly positive perceptions among participants regarding coproduction, despite initial unfamiliarity with the term. The analysis may assist researchers and policymakers who are designing, implementing and evaluating interventions to promote coproduction. Read more.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS | South West SAPC Regional Meeting 13-14 March 2019

The Society for Academic Primary Care are now accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations for SW SAPC 2019. We would like to include a ‘Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement’ theme in our conference and we would especially welcome abstracts submitted under this theme.

The balance of the conference themes will be decided based upon the remainder of the abstracts received. Submitted work can include research in progress as well as educational or service developments.

Abstracts should be submitted on this link by 5pm on Friday 16 November 2018.

Full details of the conference can be found on our website.

Dr Ashra Khanom awarded Health and Care Research Wales fellowship

28 September 2018

Dr Ashra Khanom is a Health Services Researcher who works for PRIME Centre Wales (Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research) in the area of pre-hospital and emergency care research.

We are delighted to announce that she has recently been successful in securing a Health and Care Research Wales Health Fellowship Award, which will allow her to conduct important research in pre-hospital care.

Dr Khanom who is based at Swansea University Medical School is looking forward to starting the fellowship in October 2018 and it will last for three years. Read more.

Dr Stephanie Smits awarded Health and Care Research Wales fellowship

14 September 2018

Dr Stephanie Smits is a behavioural scientist who works for PRIME Centre Wales and the Wales Cancer Research Centre in the area of screening, prevention and early diagnosis of cancer.

We are delighted to hear that she has recently been successful in securing a Health and Care Research Wales Health Fellowship Award, which will allow her to continue her important research in bowel cancer.

Dr Smits starts the fellowship in October 2018 and it will last for three years. Read more

Researcher Blog post: International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH), Porto

12 September 2018

The recent International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH) brought together researchers, teachers, practitioners and policy makers from around the world to explore and to improve all aspects of communication in healthcare.

This was a great conference for our researchers at PRIME Centre Wales and Cardiff Trials Unit to discover best practices and innovations in the field.

Read more on the Cardiff Trials Unit webpages.

Oral steroids not effective for most children with glue ear

4 September 2018

A new study led by Professor Nick Francis at PRIME Centre Wales, Cardiff University and Professor Chris Butler at the University of Oxford shows that a 1-week course of oral steroid tablets does not result in large benefits for most 2-8 year old children who have had glue ear with hearing loss for at least 3 months.

Read the full news item on Cardiff University website.

Read the publication: Francis NA, Cannings-John R, Waldron C-A, Thomas-Jones E, Winfield T, Shepherd V, Harris D, Hood K, Fitzsimmons D, Roberts A, Powell C, Gal M, Butler CC. Oral steroids for resolution of otitis media with effusion in children (OSTRICH): a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised trial.
Lancet 2018; 392: 557–68.

Person-centred care in care homes event 5th July - summary report and images from the day

24 August 2018

Following the 'Person-centred care in care homes - outcomes that matter' event held on 5th July, Victoria Shepherd has produced a summary report of the event, including the priority areas for moving forward that were identified on the day.

A further report from Scarlet Design containing photos from the day, and images of each group’s table sheets is now also available to download and view .

We have included links to some resources on person-centred care in care homes in our report, if you have links to other resources we would be very happy to share those too.

@ResearchWales magazine

The fourth issue of Health and Care Research Wales’ magazine, @ResearchWales is out now, featuring the latest health and social care research news from across Wales.

Health and Care Research Wales conference 2018:
Call for presentation and poster abstracts

Opening date for submissions: 5 July 2018
Closing date: 28 August 2018

We are currently inviting submissions to display a poster or present at a showcase session at the Health and Care Research Wales conference on 25 October. We welcome all submissions, but would be particularly pleased to see submissions that address the conference theme of ‘future proofing research’. Further details and submission form

ADRe: comprehensive person centred care assessment of needs

22 June 2018

The Adverse Drug Reaction profile (ADRe), developed by Professor Sue Jordan, a PRIME Centre Wales faculty member, has recently been highlighted in a Senedd report as a best practice tool with which care homes can highlight and prevent the over use of antipsychotics.

In both observational research and a clinical trial, ADRe has been shown to reduce prescriptions of antipsychotics and sedatives. More information on ADRe is available from Swansea University and you can also download the Senedd report.

Everyday care in Wales made possible through research

22 June 2018

Over the last 70 years of the NHS, research has given us things that we might take for granted today but they all started out as ideas, and through diligent testing we now have solid evidence that they work - or in some cases cause us harm.

Read about some of the breakthroughs and how ‘data is the new currency’ in research, according to Professor John G Williams, a health services researcher at Swansea University Medical School. Plus, find out how our national population study, HealthWise Wales, is playing its part too. Full story

Health and Care Research WalesDirector thanks research community in Wales as he prepares to leave role

22 June 2018

Professor Jon Bisson will soon move on from his role as the first Director of Health and Care Research Wales. With this in mind, he has taken the opportunity to thank everybody within the Health and Care Research Wales community for their contribution and support. In addition, Professor Bisson has expressed the pride that he feels for everyone who works in the organisation. Read Jon's message

A Healthier Wales

11 June 2018

Health and Social Services Secretary, Vaughan Gething, has outlined major changes to the way NHS and social care is organised in the future, bringing more care closer to home, with less reliance on hospitals.

The proposals are set out in the Welsh Government’s long-term plan for the future of health and social care in Wales, A Healthier Wales, which focuses on providing more joined-up services, in community settings - removing many of the current frustrations expressed by those both using and working within the system.

Commenting on the plan, Professor Jon Bisson, Director of Health and Care Research Wales, said: “It is great to see research and development included as a key element of the Long Term Plan. This highlights the vital role research has to play in improving health and social care services in Wales.” Read the story or download the plan

Patient safety in palliative care

6 June 2018

Researchers including Dr Andrew Carson-Stevens, lead for the Patient Safety research workpackage at PRIME Centre Wales, have identified for the first time the extent of healthcare related harm experienced by patients receiving palliative care across the NHS.

Their in-depth analysis of 475 serious incidents reported to a central NHS database over a twelve-year period (2002-2014) reveals multiple risks for patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care.

The health and wellbeing of people with progressive, irreversible and life-limiting illnesses is known to be fragile. This latest study has found deficiencies in patients’ care leading to worsened symptoms from their disease, and disruption to both their care and their experience of dying.

Read the full publication at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216318776846

Use of antipsychotic medication in care homes

17 May 2018

Work by Professor Sue Jordan, PRIME faculty member, and research team at the School of Human and Health, Swansea University are featured in this Senedd report, published 17 May 2018.

The report says ‘systemic changes’ needed for appropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medicines in Welsh care homes.

The research team developed ADRe, Adverse Drug Reaction Profile, which care home staff can use to monitor an individual’s use of antipsychotics. Read more

Improving dental care

15 May 2018

Dental experts have drawn up a definitive list of scenarios that patients should never face in a bid to ensure excellent patient care worldwide.

The checklist – which was developed in collaboration with researchers at PRIME Centre Wales,Cardiff University - includes failing to note patients’ allergies and not screening for mouth cancers during check-ups. It is the first international agreement of its type in dentistry and could be a major step forward in improving patient wellbeing across the globe.

The agreed list covers routine assessments as well as surgery and also includes equipment not being sterilised and dentists prescribing the wrong medication to children. Read more

Celebrate with #TeamResearch

11 May 2018

The National Health Service is turning 70 on 5 July this year. It’s the ideal opportunity to celebrate how research has improved and shaped one of the nation’s most loved institutions.

It’s also Health and Care Research Wales’ 3rd birthday on 14 May, and International Clinical Trials day on 20 May. Our campaign of celebratory activities will run from our birthday through to that of the NHS, commemorating the first clinical trial along the way. Read more

Can social prescribing help improve health in Wales?

9 May 2018

Meetings are being held across Wales to develop a project that will look at whether ‘social prescribing’ (SP) can be used to improve the nation’s health.

The Wales Social Prescribing Research Network (WSPRN) has been set-up to look at whether SP can be developed to have a bigger impact on communities across the country.

Social prescribing is a way of meeting the social, emotional and practical needs of people through services in the voluntary and community sector, rather than relying on health and social care services to provide a solution.

The project is being led by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), the national membership organisation for the third sector in Wales, and Dr Carolyn Wallace, Lead for the social care research theme at PRIME Centre Wales and Reader in Integrated Care at the University of South Wales (USW). Read more

Andrew Carson-Stevens invited to join ISQua Experts

8 May 2018

Dr Andrew Carson-Stevens, lead for the Patient Safety research workpackage at PRIME Centre Wales, and Clinical Research Fellow at Cardiff University School of Medicine, has been invited to join the prestigious panel of ISQua Experts, a worldwide group of highly skilled and well informed leaders in quality and safety in healthcare.

ISQua, the International Society for Quality in Health Care's mission is to inspire and drive improvement in the quality and safety of healthcare worldwide through education and knowledge sharing, external evaluation, supporting health systems and connecting people through global networks.

Upon accepting the invitation, Dr Carson-Stevens said:

"ISQua is transforming how health care systems innovate to improve the quality and safety of patient care.

As an ISQua expert, I will share the innovative solutions to learn from and act on unsafe care developed by the PatIent SAfety (PISA) Group at Cardiff University and PRIME Centre Wales, and proactively seek inspiration from around the world to guide improvement efforts to benefit NHS patients and service users."

Find out more about ISQua at: https://isqua.org/home

Bath additives ineffective for eczema

4 May 2018

Pouring emollient additives into a bath does not add any benefit over the standard management practices of eczema, finds a new study by a team including researchers from PRIME, Cardiff University.

In the largest trial of emollient bath additives to date, 482 children were randomly allocated to two groups: one group was asked to use bath additives for a whole year and the other was asked not to use them. Families completed short questionnaires weekly for the first 16 weeks, then every 4 weeks from 16 to 52 weeks.

15th Wonca World Rural Health Conference in Delhi

2 May 2018

Dr John Wynn-Jones, chair of RuralWonca and member of the PRIME Centre Wales Executive Management Board chaired the 15th Wonca World Rural Conference held in Delhi, 26-29 April 2018. The conference attracted delegates from around the world and offered a multi disciplinary forum of students, trainees, professionals and practitioners from all background with an interest in rural health and primary healthcare.

The theme of this year's conference was 'Healing the heart of healthcare: leaving no one behind' bringing focus on challenges of rural health system development where rural habitat poses a severe disadvantage to rural population in terms of access to healthcare services.

The government of India were very supportive of the conference and the timing was excellent as the prime minister of India has just announced the creation of 150,000 Wellness Centres across India to be led by graduate nurse in Public health and primary care. DrJohn Wynn-Jones is pictured opposite with Dr Raman Kumar (President of the Academy of Family Physician of India, together with the Health Minister and the Vice President (in white).

As part of the conference, delegates were asked to contribute to the new Alma Ata Declaration to mark the 40th anniversary for Alma Ata and as a result produced the Delhi Declaration which gives a rural perspective and is both relevant to low and middle income countries as well as OECD countries such as the UK.

Joyce Kenkre, Professor of Primary Care at University of South Wales and lead for research in long term conditions and co-morbidity at PRIME also attended the conference, co-leading a number of workshops including 'Practical skills workshop on training GPs in responding to family violence, focusing on a rural context', 'Clinical research in rural practice - overcoming the challenges' and 'The development through consensus of research priorities for rural health and wellbeing.

Find out more about the conference at: www.wrhc2018.com/

Dr Kate Brain nominated for Womenspire Award

15 April 2018

Chwarae Teg is calling for people to vote for the Wonderful Welsh Woman who has inspired them the most ahead of its annual Womenspire Awards this summer.

We are delighted that Dr Kate Brain, who leads screening, prevention and early diagnosis research at PRIME Centre Wales and Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) has been nominated. The call for votes is part of the People’s Choice award category and the winner will be announced at this year’s ceremony in June.

The women shortlisted for the vote are from the charity’s Wonderful Welsh Women campaign, are from both the past and present day and include scientists, athletes, actors, business people and humanitarians.

Andrew Carson-Stevens receives Yvonne Carter Award for Outstanding New Researcher

10 April 2018

Dr Andrew Carson-Stevens, Lead for the Patient Safety research workpackage at PRIME Centre Wales, and Clinical Research Fellow at Cardiff University School of Medicine, has been awarded the the Yvonne Carter Award 2018.

The annual Yvonne Carter Award for Outstanding New Researcher, presented jointly by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC) recognises the contributions of earlier career researchers in advancing the discipline of academic primary care through research.

Asked what the RCGP / SAPC Yvonne Carter Award will enable him to do, Dr Carson-Stevens comments:

"Patient safety research is a relatively new academic field and I sought to grow the specialty at Cardiff University by founding the Primary Care Patient Safety Research Group (the 'PISA group'). The PISA group has trained over 45 clinical academics / health services researchers to independently use a mixed-method.

With many researchers coming from other universities or health organisations from around the world, I plan to use the RCGP / SAPC Yvonne Carter Award to develop a training package to enable others to utilise the PISA method and learn from their own patient safety incidents in primary care.

I will work with the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in Turkey to design and implement an incident reporting system, and present lessons learnt at the WONCA European conference, allowing recruitment of additional partners to adopt methods for learning from patient safety incidents in primary care."

Academic primary care is a distinct discipline, which drives constant improvement in primary care through education and research. The £1,000 award is intended to enable the successful candidate to meet and collaborate with researchers in other countries, and to attend and present work at an international research meeting.

Professor Yvonne Carter CBE was an outstanding and inspirational leader who had a remarkable impact on academic general practice and this award was instituted to commemorate her contribution to primary care research.

An interview with Dr Andrew Carson-Stevens for RCGP/SAPC is available to view here.

Wales School for Social Care Research - award of social care research capacity grants

28 March 2018

The Wales School for Social Care Research has announced the successful recipients of the social care research capacity grants, funded through Health and Care Research Wales.

The purpose of the funding scheme is to increase social care research activity and research-mindedness in social care organisations in Wales. The funding was available for the delivery of small scale research or pilot projects undertaken by a social care organisation with an academic co-applicant about a research topic relevant to social care practice.

Wales - World Leading on Investment for Health and Well-Being

28 March 2018

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Public Health Wales’ Policy, Research and International Development Directorate as a WHO Collaborating Centre on ‘Investment for Health and Well-being’.

The designation recognises Public Health Wales as a world leading authority on supporting investment in people’s health and well-being, driving sustainable development and promoting prosperity for all.

New national standards launched across the UK to improve public involvement in research

22 March 2018

A set of national standards were launched this week at the 2018 Patients First conference and at the Involving People Network Annual Meeting 2018.

The standards were developed over 18 months by a UK wide partnership which brought together members of the public with representatives from the National Institute for Health Research (England), the Chief Scientist Office (Scotland), Health and Care Research Wales and the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), working with an independent expert. Full story

The 8th EURIPA Rural Health Forum - Call for abstracts

The 8th EURIPA Rural Health Forumwill be held in Maale Hachamisha, Israel between 14 - 16 November 2018. The theme for this year’s Forum is

“The challenge of the vulnerable and ageing population in rural medicine”

and will focus on the importance of delivering quality medical care in remote locations to the old, incapacitated and deprived.

The abstract submission is now been open and this can be done directly from the website, closing 16th September: www.euripaforum2018.eu

Interim step in Wales to support Four Nations implementation of the Local Information Pack

16 March 2018

Researchers working across the whole UK should find it easier to set up and carry out health research across the NHS and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland as a result of the Four Nations Compatibility Programme.

Sponsors of both commercial and non-commercial research will benefit from these changes, particularly when setting up studies with sites in more than one UK country. Full story

Presentation from WONCA at UN Commission on Status of Women

Investing in rural health workers for the economic participation and empowerment of rural women and girls

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

At the Commission's recent meeting held 13th March 2018, Dr Mayara Floss, member of WONCA Rural Seeds junior doctor newtork, spoke on: 'Investing in rural health workers for the economic participation and empowerment of rural women and girls'. The presentation is available to view here.

All Wales Continuous Improvement Community’s Annual Awards 2018

AcademiWales are delighted to launch the All Wales Continuous Improvement Community’s (AWCIC) Annual Awards 2018.

This is the 4th AWCIC Awards and following the successful format from the past couple of years again this is a stand alone event celebrating the important recognition of the hard work being carried out by the public service continuous improvement practitioners throughout Wales.

Deadline for nominations: 16th March 2018

Find out more

PRIME SUPER Group – update of activities

22 February 2018

The SUPER group of patients, carers and public members has begun working with PRIME researchers. Members contributed comments and advice on four research proposals presented by researchers at a recent SUPER meeting.

SUPER stands for Service Users for Primary and Emergency care Research. The group's remit is to support PRIME Centre Wales. Members provide lay perspectives on health care services and managing health care needs to researchers who are developing, conducting and disseminating research about primary and emergency care services.

Their contributions strengthen the relevance, quality and dissemination of research on these topics. The group includes people with different backgrounds and experiences to reflect the diverse perspectives of people who live in Wales. Read more

Aneurin Bevan UHB Research & Development Conference 2018 - Abstract submissions now open

Date: 19 June 2018
Time: 09:30 - 16:00
Venue: Christchurch Centre, Newport

Deadline for abstract submission: 6 April 2018

The theme of the conference is 'Research – Access All Areas'. You are invited to submit an abstract for either an oral or poster presentation on any of the following:

Innovative research that has led to a change in clinical practice
Patient experiences of research
Research that has led to service improvement/developments
Innovative grant applications

Traffic light cancer health checks launched in Yorkshire communities

18 January 2018

A new health check project designed to improve cancer symptom awareness and help-seeking in Yorkshire’s deprived communities has been launched today.

Researchers from PRIME Centre Wales, Cardiff University, funded by a £486,000 award from Yorkshire Cancer Research, are carrying out a trial to find out if an interactive online health check questionnaire can increase early diagnosis in areas of South and West Yorkshire. Early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes, including improved rates of survival. The health checks will also be carried out in similar areas in South Wales.

Call for Submissions - Addressing Gender Inequities in the Health and Social Workforce

Global Health Workforce Network Gender Equity Hub

15 January 2018

Seven out of ten health and social workers1 are women and unpaid care work represents half of women’s contribution to global wealth. Resilient health systems and universal health coverage cannot be progressed without consideration of the gendered aspects of the workforce. Without this consideration we will not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing gender biases and inequities in the health and social workforce is not only essential to achieving SDG 3 (health and well-being), but also SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 8 (decent work and inclusive economic growth).

This call for submissions is the crowd-sourced component of a mapping exercise that is being undertaken by the Hub to identify key stakeholders and map existing initiatives, published and gray literature and programmes of relevance, including intersectorial opportunities to progress this agenda. The global mapping exercise will bring together the evidence and know-how to inform the Terms of Reference and work plan of the Hub.

Individuals, groups, organizations and countries are invited to contribute to this call. Submissions from outside the health and social sectors are also greatly welcomed.

Further information: http://www.who.int/hrh/news/2017/call4submission-address-gender-inequities/en/

WONCA guidance on rural primary care and mental health for family doctors

10 January 2018

WONCA have made available guidance helpful documents on rural primary care and mental health.

WONCA is determined to reduce the impact of depression on our patients’ lives. Family doctors around the world have a central role to play in ensuring that patients receive the care they need and deserve. To help family doctors manage the first, crucial consultation with patients who may be depressed, we have created an evidence-based guide.

WONCA Evidence-based first consultation for depression:
http://www.globalfamilydoctor.com/News/MentalHealthMatters-WorldFamilyDoctorDay2017HighlightingDep.aspx
WONCA guidance on physical health care for patients with severe mental illness:
http://www.globalfamilydoctor.com/groups/WorkingParties/MentalHealth3/SMI.aspx
WONCA guidance on non-drug interventions for common mental health problems:
http://www.globalfamilydoctor.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/Groups/Mental%20Health/WPMH%20role%20of%20FPs%20in%20non%20drug%20interventions.pdf

PRIME PISA Patient Safety team welcomes new PhD Student

January 2018

Dr Jaafer Qasem, a medical doctor from Kuwait, has joined the Patient Safety (PISA) Group at Cardiff University to undertake a PhD focussed on patient safety. Dr Qasem is funded by the Kuwaiti government (or government of the State of Kuwait).

Dr Qasem will explore how countries around the world can share their learning about medical error and healthcare-associated harm to accelerate improvements in patient safety. He joins the PISA Group having recently completed a MSc in Healthcare Management at Swansea University, and prior to this with experience of leading quality improvement in a tertiary orthopedic hospital in Kuwait.

Asked why he chose to study with the PISA Group at Cardiff University, he said: “Having worked as a quality improvement and patient safety physician in Kuwait, I believe the international leadership in quality and safety demonstrated by the PISA Group at Cardiff University will permit me to learn about I can support and work with colleagues back home to improve our ability to generate learning from patient safety incidents.”

He will be supervised by Dr Andrew Carson-Stevens (main supervisor and Patient Safety Research Lead, PRIME Centre Wales), Professor Adrian Edwards (Director, PRIME Centre Wales) and Dr Fiona Wood (Patient Centred Care and Prudent Healthcare co-Lead, PRIME Centre Wales). The PhD will include collaboration with the World Health Organization.

For more information about the PISA Group click here.

News (2018 Archive)

PRIME research in @ResearchWales magazine

PhD - Engaging high-risk disadvantaged populations in shared decision making about low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

PhD - Adverse childhood experiences and their association with child health and development in low and middle income countries

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

PhD - Antimicrobial stewardship for asthma exacerbation

Fully funded PhD studentship open to applications

Success at University of South Wales Impact Awards 2018

Evaluation of the ground-breaking Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

PhD studentship open to applications:

Capturing understandings of, and responses to Loneliness: an iterative mixed method study with a focus on those from targeted ‘seldom heard’ minority population groups aged 70 years and over

Best poster at Health and Care Research Conference

Launch of All Wales Social Prescribing Research Network (WSPRN) web page

PRIME Centre Wales Annual Report 2017-18

PRIME receives runner-up in Public Involvement awards

BJGP Research Conference - Call for Abstracts

Social Prescribing: how to create a sustainable journey?

Aspirin and the treatment of cancer

Coproduction and health: Public and clinicians’ perceptions of the barriers and facilitators

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS | South West SAPC Regional Meeting 13-14 March 2019

World Smile Day® 2018 – How dental research in Wales aims to bring a smile to your face!

Dr Ashra Khanom awarded Health and Care Research Wales fellowship

Dr Stephanie Smits awarded Health and Care Research Wales fellowship

Researcher Blog post: International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH), Porto

Health and Care Research Wales 2020 and beyond

Oral steroids not effective for most children with glue ear

Person-centred care in care homes event 5th July - summary report and images from the day

MediWales Innovation Awards 2018 - applications are now open!

ADRe study findings into practice and improved care update

Call for abstracts: 'Healthy Planet, Healthy Wales' - Welsh Public Health Conference 2018

Public Involvement Achievement Award 2018

NHS Cymru 70 Storyboard

Wales heads transformational data research

The Welsh researchers looking for global answers

@ResearchWales magazine

Health and Care Research Wales conference 2018:Call for presentation and poster abstracts

ADRe: comprehensive person centred care assessment of needs

Everyday care in Wales made possible through research

Health and Care Research WalesDirector thanks research community in Wales as he prepares to leave role

Wales champions innovation and research development

A Healthier Wales

How Wales gave ordinary people a vital say in research

Patient safety in palliative care

Exciting developments for public involvement in Wales

International Clinical Trials day 2018

#ICTD18 #TeamResearch

Use of antipsychotic medication in care homes

New study reveals how electronic health records can improve clinical trial follow up

Improving dental care

Celebrate with #TeamResearch

Can social prescribing help improve health in Wales?

Andrew Carson-Stevens invited to join ISQua Experts

Bath additives ineffective for eczema

15th Wonca World Rural Health Conference in Delhi

GDPR: What researchers need to know

Your Involvement Matters spring 2018

Dr Kate Brain nominated for Womenspire Award

Andrew Carson-Stevens receives Yvonne Carter Award for Outstanding New Researcher

New NIHR guidance on co-producing a research project

World Health Organization Healthy Cities Conference—call for abstracts

Wales School for Social Care Research - award of social care research capacity grants

Wales - World Leading on Investment for Health and Well-Being

NIHR Advisory group opportunities

New national standards launched across the UK to improve public involvement in research

The 8th EURIPA Rural Health Forum - Call for abstracts

Interim step in Wales to support Four Nations implementation of the Local Information Pack

Presentation from WONCA at UN Commission on Status of Women

Investing in rural health workers for the economic participation and empowerment of rural women and girls

All Wales Continuous Improvement Community’s Annual Awards 2018

Calling all GPs - your views are wanted

PRIME E-News Bulletin Winter/Spring

PRIME SUPER Group – update of activities

New Plan to transform dementia care in Wales

£100m plan to transform health and social services in Wales

Aneurin Bevan UHB Research & Development Conference 2018 - Abstract submissions now open

Nurses, Doctors and Pharmacists asked for views on medicines management

Are you interested in testing out the new NIHR public involvement standards?

Traffic light cancer health checks launched in Yorkshire communities

Social care training needs analysis: findings announced

Health and Care Research Wales conference 2018:
Call for presentation and poster abstracts