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Research centre helps NHS south-east to develop wide range of new service ideas
The University of Kent is one of three universities to have helped the NHS in the south-east to develop almost two hundred new delivery service ideas since October 2008.
These include: systems for monitoring pre-term babies with breathing problems; improving medication regimes for older people with diabetes; developing exercise programmes for children with cerebral palsy; helping stroke patients recover; investigating a new anaesthetic; and improving sexual health clinics.
Kent, together with the universities of Brighton and Surrey, runs the Research Design Service South East (RDS SE), a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded resource. This helps NHS staff by encouraging the development of high-quality research for the benefit of patients. The three universities provide free advice on all aspects of preparing grant applications, including: finding suitable funding sources; building a research team; designing a study; writing lay summaries; identifying the resources required for a successful project; and involving patients and the public.
Professor Valerie Hall, Co-Director of RDS SE, said: 'Quite often, NHS staff need specialist help in applying for funds to test or develop their ideas. In our first year, we held nearly 400 sessions with more than 226 staff to discuss how their ideas could be channelled into research applications. Out of those 400 sessions, more than 200 research projects have been initiated, most of which will improve the patient experience, while having a significant impact on the way that the NHS works.'
One particularly successful application has led to important research in pain management. Bridget Carpenter, Deputy Director of RDS SE at the University's Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS) explained: 'The project is testing whether giving Paracetamol tablets when surgeons remove wisdom teeth is as good as giving anaesthetic by injection. Many people avoid dental work because of the fear of pain and needle phobias. Patients may prefer tablets rather than having an injection. If the project provides sound evidence that tablets are just as effective in relieving pain, then the benefits for patients are obvious and the potential savings for the NHS in time and money are enormous. The NHS has ways of distributing good evidence that can quickly change practice throughout the country, so projects like these are a fantastic investment.'
CHSS is part of the University's School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research.
Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk
Story published at 10:25am 9 March 2010