Urogynecology researchers from across the North of England meet for the first time to inspire future partnership work
Over 20 Consultants in
Urogynecology from across the Northern Powerhouse came together on
5 February to share best practice, explore opportunities for joint
working partnerships and to collaborate to apply for funding for
this poorly resourced and neglected area of Women's Health.
The inaugural 53° North Pelvic Floor Research Network took place
at Citylabs in Manchester.
The aptly named group comes from the circle of latitude that is
53 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane and cuts across
the country between north and south; roughly the area between
Liverpool to Hull, and Stoke to Harrogate; with Manchester sitting
fairly central. This group was established by Central Manchester
University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's (CMFT) Dr Fiona
Reid.
During the day Professor Linda Brubaker from the Division of
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology)
at Loyola University, Chicago joined the meeting via web
conference. Professor Brubaker has been a principal investigator in
multiple clinical research networks since 2001. She gave her
top tips on setting up an effective system to design, conduct and
disseminate high-quality urogynecological research and to explore
opportunities for joint research initiatives across partner
agencies.
The meeting was sponsored by Specialty European Pharma (SEP),
the company behind Bulkamid, a treatment of female urinary
incontinence. SEP is also working with the network to provide
funding for their initial CRN portfolio multi centre observational
study.
Urogynaecology has only been recognised as a clinical specialty
for the last 30 years, and for this reason, the research base to
support innovation in the way we treat women with problems such as
urinary incontinence or prolapse is in its infancy. The Warrell
Unit was one of the first formally established departments of
urogynaecology in the UK and now is one of the largest in the
country. The establishment of the 53° North Pelvic Floor Research
Network will strengthen links between researchers and build the
foundation of future exciting partnership initiatives to see
research into urogynecology which will develop and expand
further.
CMFT has a large Urogynaecology research team with principle
investigators Dr Fiona Reid, Dr Karen Ward, Dr Rohna Kearney and
Professor Anthony Smith . The team has strong links with The Centre
for Healthcare Randomised Trials (CHaRT) in Aberdeen and Scottish
Pelvic Floor Network.
Current research interests of the team include:
•
The effects of child birth on sensory innovation of the pelvis
•
The surgical management of prolapse
•
The physiological testing pelvic floor function
In the past they have been successful in securing MRC funding
for surgical trails. Charlotte Mahoney a research fellow in the
Warrell Unit was recently awarded an NIHR Fellowships to complete
her doctorate on the impact of child birth on pelvic floor sensory
nerve supply.
Urogynaecology is one branch of the larger department of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. To find out more about CMFT's
gynaecology research portfolio including gynaecological cancer,
fertility, pregnancy disorders and uro-gynaecology, visit/click here.