CTM UHB Research & Development Conference 2025
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) hosted its 15th Research and Development (R&D) Conference on Wednesday 26th November, 2025.
The conference is an annual showcase of the collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-professional research being undertaken across the Health Board, demonstrating the critical role of research in the development, management and delivery of evidence-based care.
This year’s conference was attended by CTM UHB staff, partners and colleagues from across the NHS, along with Welsh Government, industry and academia stakeholders, speakers, exhibitors and guests.
The conference marked the official launch CTM UHB’s R&D strategy 2025-30, setting out how CTM UHB will further develop its vision, infrastructure and research culture to embed research as a core function of the organisation to maximise all opportunities for CTM’s patients and wider population to take part in high quality research.
You can read more about CTM UHB’s R&D Strategy here: R&D Strategy 2025-30 - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Professor John Geen, R&D Assistant Director, CTM UHB said: “We were delighted to welcome so many delegates, colleagues and partners from across the research community to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board R&D conference 2025. This annual conference is an opportunity to showcase, highlight and celebrate the fantastic research being undertaken by CTM UHB staff and our research partners.
“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 to drive greater improvements in patient care.”
“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.”
Professor Lauren Edwards, Executive Lead for R&D, CTM UHB said, “It was wonderful to see such a diverse range of specialties and professions from across primary, secondary and community care and population health presenting their work at this year’s conference. Our professions and teams are working hard to gather and grow the evidence base in support of service transformation and improving outcomes for our patients, communities, and the wider population. The breadth of topics presented included cancer, surgery, pharmacy, gastroenterology, allied health professions, intensive care, paediatrics, diagnostics, and mental health. This event has provided an invaluable platform for professionals to celebrate their successes, exchange ideas and insights, and inspire others across multiple disciplines and professions. The conference was a great event and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who made it such a success. Diolch yn fawr i chi gyd.”
We were delighted to welcome Professor Christopher George, Chair of the National Cardiovascular Research Network (NCRN) to open the conference.
Established in 2022, the NCRN is a network of academics, clinicians, health professionals, industry, and charities working collaboratively to facilitate the development and delivery of cardiovascular research.
You can read more about the work of the National Cardiovascular Research network here: NCRN – National Cardiovascular Research Network
Professor George said, “It was a genuine pleasure to spend the day immersed in the research activities of CTM UHB. Fantastic to see the breadth of important work going on and how every opportunity is taken to maximise the engagement with the patient-base of the region. I came away with a real sense that CTM UHB is leading the way in terms of doing research for patient benefit.”
During the event, 10 oral and 63 poster presentations were showcased by CTM researchers and our collaborators. These included:
- Integration of liquid biopsy into lung cancer diagnostic pathway: QUICDNA by Professor Magdalena Meissner, Medical Oncology Consultant at Velindre Cancer Centre and Clinical Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University.
The study aimed to evaluate whether a blood sample, called a liquid biopsy, can be routinely used to help doctors plan their patients’ treatment in a timely manner once the diagnosis of a lung cancer is confirmed.
- UTI-Friday: A review of antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of recurrent UTI in primary care by Avril Tucker, Principal Pharmacist in Antimicrobials and Immunology, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
The study aimed to assess the current practice of UTI management and identify opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship.
- Co-producing and refining a behaviourally-informed intervention to empower nurses to address smoking and promote smoking cessation by Dr Jessica Baillie, Principal Researcher – Public Health, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
The study aimed to co-produce and refine a behaviourally-informed, evidence-based intervention to empower nurses to promote smoking cessation amongst patients in hospital settings and refer to the Welsh smoking cessation service.
- Overbooked clinics with delayed appointments by Dr Ffion Brown, Specialty Training Year 3, Ophthalmology, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
The study aimed to develop a mathematical framework to understand outpatient follow-up scheduling in relation to appointment demand, the risk of disease progression before the patients’ next review and the disease and patient specific risk of progression over time.
- Improving Access to Sexual Health Tests in the NHS: the role of community pharmacies in Wales by Carys James, Community Pharmacy Facilitator, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of community pharmacies in widening access to sexual health resources and STI self-sampling kits.
- Setting up a medical physiotherapy service in the Emergency Department (POWH) by Jade Bazylkiewicz, Clinical Lead Advanced Care Practitioner, Physiotherapy, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
The study aimed to assess the impact of physiotherapy provision in the Emergency Department, Princess of Wales Hospital and to explore the opportunities for advanced clinical practice physiotherapy skillsets.
For more information and contact details for any of these projects, please email CTM UHB’s R&D Team (details below).
CTM UHB’s Research & Development 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
CTM UHB’s Research & Development Team is on X: @CTMUHB_RD
You can also find updates on CTM UHB’s main social media channels.
10/12/2025