November 2009 saw the launch of an exciting, new and novel Research Strategy for Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs in CMFT. The strategy is the result of a collaboration between CMFT and The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at The University of Manchester and aims to increase research capacity and capability and promote evidence-based practice amongst multi-professional staff. Increasing capacity will ensure the development of clinical academic nurses, midwives and AHPs to take a leading role in research activity. Increasing capability will ensure more nurses, midwives and AHPs are able to apply research findings to inform and change clinical practice with a raised awareness of the value of research that underpins practice. The work is complementary to, and supportive of, the work of the Research and Innovation Division of CMFT, the Divisional Research Leads and Managers and links with the Trust Quality Strategy. Further information on the strategy can be found in the links to the right of this webpage
Issue 3 of Multiprofessional Research Focus is now out. The e-newsletter is full of interesting and useful information for nurse, midwifery and AHP researchers at CMFT. Please feel free to distribute the Newsletter to your colleagues. Copies can be downloaded from the media section of this website.
John works closely with patients who have had orbital exenteration surgery. This is a disfiguring surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of the orbital contents including the eye. It is usually performed for removal of orbital malignancies. In this article, John explains how he addressed a clinical problem with research, producing results of clear benefit to the MREH and its patients, and in the process, developed his own research skills and competencies, leading to official recognition through national awards and an input into influencing national, Government patient policy.
To read John's fascinating story, click John Cooper: "Research? that's just for academics!"
This year's Multiprofessional Research Showcase highlights the great research work undertaken by nurses, midwives and Allied Health Professionals at CMFT. The day is FREE and is open to anyone with an interest in research and includes presentations and workshops covering research with hard to reach groups, the patient experience and improving patient management and services. Why not pop in for all, or part of the day to catch up, and network with colleagues? Contact Tim Twelvetree for further details and an agenda.
The Research & Innovation Division and Multi-Professional Research Team are pleased to announce a research award scheme for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals employed by CMFT. These awards are for developmental and pump priming research projects led by CMFT nursing, midwifery and allied health professional (AHP) staff. The project should be led by a member of staff with appropriate support from other staff and academic colleagues.
Funding up to £20,000 for any individual project, up to 18 months in duration is available. Projects should address problems and improvements in clinical practice, and can include: systematic reviews, observational studies, pilot and feasibility studies.
Applications will be reviewed by a multi-professional panel, and will be assessed based on clinical relevance, potential to lead to development of further research and funding, and potential improvements to practice and services as a result of planned research.
Closing Date: 4pm Monday 16th April 2012.
For an application form and further information, please contact Professor Christi Deaton or Tim Twelvetree
Please send the completed form via email as an MS WORD attachment to Michael Pate
An exciting Publishing Learning Set has been developed at CMFT, aimed at nurses, midwives and AHPs who have some publishable research or audit data that they would like to write up, but need assistance with the process.
Six half day sessions are being held over 12 months, starting November 2011. These focus on stages involved in publication and helping participants to prepare a manuscript ready for submission to a journal. Sessions run in mornings and follow a 'Learning Set' approach including a mixture of taught and practical elements and group work.
Following a call for participants, 11 individuals were recruited into the learning set. These include:
11 participants from all over the Trust have started the learning set
The Biomedical Research Centre opened its Biobank in 2010 and in its first year the team, led by Dr Jay Brown, have banked over 5,000 individual specimens from patients undergoing surgery at Central Manchester University Hospitals.
By using the dedicated biobanking facility, researchers can save on equipment and staff costs and have confidence that their valuable samples are stored in a secure environment staffed by experienced personnel.
All specimens are obtained ethically and with appropriate consent and the Biobank is licensed by the Human Tissue Authority. With the regulatory requirements taken care of, researchers are free to concentrate their efforts on research.
Multiple specimen types are collected from each donor including fresh, frozen and paraffin embedded tumour and normal tissue, blood, serum, plasma, DNA and RNA.
A prime example of success can be seen in a study looking at molecular pathways in cardiovascular disease, run collaboratively between the Manchester Diabetes Centre, CADET and the Biobank.
Chief Investigator Dr Martin Rutter said: "I have been tremendously impressed with service offered by the Biobank. I lead a group developing a complex vascular tissue sampling study which involves the preparation of tissue for RNA, protein and metabolite quantification. The Biobank has helped with the ethics application, and has supported and contributed significantly to the development of the study protocol.
"Their sound understanding of the Human Tissue Act and other important regulations has been invaluable in the setting up of this study. The processing of the vascular tissues, and the general work of the team, is scientifically rigorous, and yet straightforward and practical in its execution, which makes the collection of tissue much easier than one might imagine. Biobank staff are easy to work with and their attitude is always positive and helpful. They have been an invaluable resource, and I am sure that our study would have been virtually impossible to initiate and run without their fantastic support."
The Biobank has set up two collaborative agreements to supply specimens for research in the private sector with Biopta Ltd and Abcellute Tissue Bank.
Jacki Trafford, Procurement Manager at Abcellute Tissue Bank said: "Using the Biobank allows us to be very confident about the research donation process. It is extremely helpful to have dedicated and trained staff to ensure the potential donor is given all the options regarding research donation, take informed consent and supply us with appropriate anonymous donor information, as well as ensure the samples are packaged and transferred to the dedicated courier.
"Knowing that each step of the donation process is monitored and undertaken by Biobank staff also helps us in our reassurances to the researchers we supply with tissue. High ethical standards are at the centre of Abcellute Tissue Bank and having access to the Biobank and its staff is very useful in ensuring those standards are maintained".
Access to tissues and associated clinical data is open to all researchers in academic institutions, NHS and commercial organisations. Researchers interested in using biomaterials or services provided by the Biobank can find out more by contacting Jay.Brown@cmft.nhs.uk.
We aim to build a community of nursing, midwifery and AHP researchers throughout the Trust, provide peer support for study, and address the difficult issues of integrating research activities into your clinical roles. In order to help achieve this, a Multiprofessional Research Support Group has been established for all CMFT nurses, midwives or AHPs who have conducted or are involved in research, including those studying for a Masters qualification. The purpose of the meetings is to support CMFT staff who are conducting research at postgraduate level and higher. Meetings are monthly and are held in the NowGen Centre, next to the MRI. Click here for a list of 2012 meeting dates.
Two very successful Multiprofessional research workshops were held in 2011. These were 'Applying for NIHR Research Bursary and Fellowships' and 'How Do I Get There from Here? Developing a Clinical Research Career'. Agendas and presentations from the workshops can be found below:
'Applying for NIHR Research Bursary and Fellowships'
Agenda for Applying for NIHR Research Bursary and Fellowships
Professor Christi Deaton: Preparing Your Application & Interview Skills
Karen Kemp: From Application to Award
'How Do I Get There from Here? Developing a Clinical Research Career'
Agenda for 'How Do I Get There from Here'?
Professor Tina Lavender: Can You Combine Research and Clinical Careers?
Ruth Chaplin: Clinical Scholar Scheme 2009-2010
Professor Christi Deaton: Research Opportunities at CMFT
This workshop was held in March 2011, with over 40 participants attending. The workshop featured presentations from academics and CMFT researchers on all aspects of developing a clinical research career, including combining clinical and research careers, putting evidence into practice and experiences of undertaking research training, from the Clinical Scholarship Scheme to Post-doctoral research. The workshop also contained a speed research dating session, enabling participants to network and explore possible areas for collaboration in a friendly and fun way.
