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CTM Research and Development Conference 2024

Research and Development Conference 2024

Today (26th November 2024), Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) hosts its 14th Research and Development (R&D) Conference.

The conference is an annual celebration of high quality and collaborative research being undertaken across the Health Board; by our staff, together with partners from across the NHS, Welsh Government, industry, and academia, and demonstrates the critical role of research in developing, managing and delivering healthcare.

Professor John Geen, R&D Assistant Director, CTMUHB said: “We are delighted to welcome so many delegates from across the research community to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board 2024 Research and Development Conference. This annual conference is an opportunity to showcase, highlight and celebrate the fantastic research being undertaken by CTMUHB staff and our research partners.

“CTM researchers, from across the professions, clinical and non-clinical specialties, continue to undertake high quality research and progress critical developments in service delivery. Working in partnership with universities, industry, third sector and NHS collaborators allows us to make a significant difference to our patients, in terms of their experiences and outcomes, and it is vital that we continue to develop and increase our research capacity and activity across the health board.

Our work would not be possible without the support of our patients, staff and population and we’d like to thank everyone who has participated and given up their own time to help provide the evidence base for change. I’d also like to give a huge thank you to all of our researchers, speakers, sponsors, delegates, and all the R&D team for helping to make the day a success.”

Dr Rob Orford, CEO of the Moondance Cancer Initiative opened the conference.

Over the last few years, the Moondance Cancer Initiative has provided £6.5 million of funding to project teams across NHS Wales to improve cancer outcomes, including funding for CTM UHB.

The Moondance Cancer Initiative also funded a Lung Cancer Navigator to support the delivery of the Lung Heath Check pilot – a first in Wales – which was launched by CTMUHB last autumn. The pilot was set up in collaboration with the National Strategic Clinical Network for Cancer and aims to detect the early stages of lung cancer, before there are any signs or symptoms.

Dr Orford said: “Very pleased to be invited to the conference. CTM is invested in research and innovation using evidence to drive action for the betterment of patients and the NHS. Moondance Cancer Initiative is proud to work with innovators and pioneers in the Health Board and are keen to support them on their journey of improvement.”

During the event, ten oral and 60 poster presentations were showcased by CTM researchers and our collaborators. These included:

  • Exploring barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding infants among Gypsies and Travellers in Wales: research by Sarah Parry, CTM Health Visitor, CTMUHB

Sarah Parry is a qualified nurse, midwife and health visitor. Since 2002 she has practiced as a health visitor for CTMUHB. In 2022 she embarked on a Master of Public Health degree with Wolverhampton University which led to a research project labelled ‘What are the barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding infants perceived and experienced by Gypsies and Travellers in Wales?’ Her research journey has had a profound impact on her and she now understands the reasons for low rates of breastfeeding in the community.

  • An Evaluation of Public Health Interventions to Improve Vaccination Uptake in Cwm Taf Morgannwg in the 2023-2024 Season: project led by Charlotte Todd, Senior Public Health Practitioner, CTMUHB

Emma McGillivray is a public health expert in Vaccination and Immunisation, as well as Tobacco Control. Charlotte is a Public Health Practitioner in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Local Public Health Team, where she works on the vaccination and sexual health work stream on a variety of projects. The team designed and evaluated interventions to increase vaccination uptake across Cwm Taf Morgannwg during the 2023-2024 season.

  • Oral antibacterial drug prescribing in primary care and out-of-hours services: stakeholders’ perceptions. Project led by Sarah Al Hussain, PHD student, Cardiff University

Antibacterial drug prescribing considerably contributes to the global health issue of antimicrobial resistance. This project explores key stakeholders’ perspectives regarding oral antibacterial drug prescribing and the patterns of prescribing in Wales in primary care overall and out-of-hours (OOH) services. The project findings highlight the challenges, specifically in OOH services, and opportunities to address the prescribing of antibacterial drugs in primary care.

  • Setting up a specialist dietetic oncology clinic: project led by Sarah Hoidge Hughes, Macmillan Specialist Oncology Dietitian

Optimised nutritional status increases efficacy of oncological treatment and patients’ quality of life whilst reducing treatment side effects, postoperative complications and length of stay. Early tailored nutrition counselling is associated with significant improvements in nutritional status in Oncology patients. This project aimed to offer oncology patients requiring nutrition support access to a Specialist Oncology Clinic (SOC) in 4 weeks after triage.

  • PREDICT-EV (Extracellular Vesicles in TIA/Stroke): Collaborative Research Study between Cardiff Metropolitan University and CTM Clinical Biochemistry / Haematology / R&D departments

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is the fourth in the UK. The PREDICT-EV research group investigated small particles called ‘extracellular vesicles’ that are produced under healthy conditions and may be changed in disease. The research group believes that these small particles are important in the progression from a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) to stroke. Blood samples were collected from patients with a confirmed TIA and a control group of participants not suffering with TIA. Samples were also collected from those who went on to suffer with stroke and those who did not. For this research, the samples were used to isolate small particles and other biomarkers that may be associated with TIA/Stroke. These studies will potentially provide valuable information that will provide a better understanding of stroke progression and prevention.

How to contact CTMUHB’s R&D Team:
The Research and Development Office is based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
If you wish to speak with a member of the R&D team, you can contact them on:

Tel: 01443 443421 or Email: CwmTaf.R&D@wales.nhs.uk

You can find updates from the conference on social media by searching #BeResearchActive

CTMUHB’s R&D team is on X: @CTMUHB_RD

26/11/2024