Research focus issue6_spring 2018

New Starters and Leavers in R&D
Caroline Fox
Secondary Care Research Nurse
Caroline joined the research team at the start of February and will be working in
support of our growing portfolio of stroke research studies in the Trust. Caroline has
joined us from the chemotherapy department in the hospital having previously worked
at Basildon and University College Hospital London as a critical care and intensive care
nurse. A warm welcome to the team Caroline.
Hazel Guth
Primary Care Research Nurse
Hazel joined the primary care research team based over in Epping at the start of
February. Hazel joins us from NHS England and brings with her a wealth of experience
from previously supporting clinical research as a Research Nurse at The Princess
Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. Welcome to the team Hazel.
Dr You Yone
Research Fellow in Oncology
We sadly said goodbye to Dr Yone (pictured right) at the end of February. After 6 years
of supporting oncology research within the Trust we will miss his presence at the Helen
Rollason Research Centre. We wish him all the best with his continued clinical and
academic work away from the Trust.
Newsletter
Spring
2018
“Delivering today’s research into tomorrow’s healthcare””
News
News
Performance Events InnovationsPublications
IN THIS ISSUE
Finalist nursing awards Page 2
Recruitment milestone Page 2
Study participant survey Page 2
Primary Care Forum 2018 Page 2
Commercial study success Page 3
Clinical Trials Day 2018 Page 3
Recently opened studies Page 4
Mentions in dispatches Page 4
A day in the life Page 5
Research training Page 6
Grant writing workshops Page 6
Research publications Page 7
Research funding calls Page 8
Top tips for grants apps Page 9
Innovation update Page 10
Public attitudes survey Page 11
Report Innovation in NHS Page 11
Provisional Recruitment Numbers for Financial Year 2017/18
The final recruitment numbers are still coming in for
financial year 2017/18, but what is clear is that
the past 12 months have been another record breaking year for
participant recruitment into NIHR portfolio adopted research studies
at MEHT! We will publish a full report on performance in our Summer
newsletter. The key highlights for 2017/18 so far include:-
 Highest level of recruitment ever seen in Trust (2,252 participants).
 6th highest recruiting Trust in ‘CRN: North Thames’ and the 3rd
highest recruiting DGH across the entire East of England (behind East
and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust & North West Anglia NHS Trust).
 Record level of recruitment attained for the more complex
‘interventional’ (dark blue in graph right) and commercial (red in
graph right) studies than seen in previous years.
 Our provisional success has also been mirrored by a wonderful year
of recruitment by our colleagues in Basildon (2,170 participants) and
by our MEHT employed Primary Care Research Team (825
participants). Southend finished the year having welcomed 1,047
participants into research studies.

Research, Development & Innovation Page 2 of 11
`CRN: North Thames – Patient Research Experience Survey 2017/18
During winter, ‘Clinical Research Network: North Thames’ conducted their annual ‘Patient Research
Experience Survey’ at acute hospitals within the region. The survey asked participants 31 questions
about their research experiences with the aim of seeking ways to further improve how clinical
research is delivered to patients. Highlights from the report include:-
 Highest number of responses were made by MEHT research participants (17% of total).
 94% of MEHT respondents stated that they would be happy to take part in another study.
 91% of MEHT respondents stated that they had a good experience from taking part in research.
These findings for MEHT are most encouraging and are consistent with what is being reported nationally in the most recent Ipsos
MORI ‘Survey of the general public: attitudes towards health research 2017’ report (see page 11 for further details). As a gesture
of gratitude to the number of MEHT patients who took part in the survey, ‘CRN: North Thames’ awarded £100 in John Lewis
vouchers to go towards further improving the research experience in the Trust.
Another Research Landmark – Welcoming our 10,000th
study participant
On the 4
th
November 2017 the Trust welcomed its 10,000
th
research participant
into National Institute for Health Research portfolio adopted studies. The
gentleman was recruited by our renal research nurse Sharon Reid into the
British Renal Society funded ‘Increasing Physical Activity in Chronic Kidney
Disease: The Patient Perspective (QCKD)’ study. Our gratitude to all of our
research participants (past, present and future) as no research would be
possible without the gift of your participation. Thank you.
Finalists – British Journal of Nursing Awards 2018
In January we learnt that the Trust’s Research & Development Department had
been shortlisted as finalists in the ‘Innovation’ category of the 2018 British
Journal of Nursing Awards. The award evening was held on the 9
th
March 2018
at the Shakespeare’s Underglobe in London and we are delighted to have
been awarded third place in this category on the evening, with the worthy
winners being announced as ‘South West Regional Teenage and Young Adult
Cancer Nursing Team, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust’.
4th
Annual Primary Care Research Forum
Our primary care research team will be hosting their 4
th
annual ‘Research Forum’ at
the Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon on Thursday 17
th
May 2018. Over 100
members of the local primary care community (GPs, Practice Managers, Practice
Nurses) from across Essex, Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire will be in attendance to
learn about the findings of studies they have supported, new studies to join and
about the practical and financial support being offered by the National Institute
for Health Research to further spread research engagement within primary care.
If you would like to reserve a free place at this event please contact
Dane Goodere-Bennett (dane.goodere-bennett@nhs.net, 07789 874904).

First UK participant recruited into commercial diabetes and heart failure study
Congratulations to Dr Reto Gamma (Consultant Cardiologist) and his team for being
the first UK site to recruit an eligible participant into a recently opened Phase II
commercially sponsored cardiovascular study called LIK066 (NIHR 32777).
The LIK066 trial is a multicentre study open across 14 hospitals in the UK and is
funded and sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Novartis. The study is looking
to evaluate the effect of 3 doses of the drug LIK066 (SGLT-1/2 inhibitor) when
compared to placebo or empagliflozin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
patients with heart failure. It is early days in the development of this medicine and
we are proud to see Broomfield hospital have such a strong start to this important
study.
To see further examples of excellent national recruitment by MEHT please read
‘Mentions in Dispatches’ on page 4.
CRN: North Thames - Renal & Urology Research Symposium
On the 30
th
January 2018 the Trust hosted the first ‘CRN : North Thames Renal and
Urology Research Symposium’. Lecture Theatre 1 was packed full of nephrologists,
registrars, nurses, dieticians, academics and other health care professionals from
across the region to discuss the latest development arising from studies and national
initiatives. Presentations were given by eminent national research leaders
(Dr Kieran McCafferty, Professor Magdi Yaqoob, Professor Martin Wilkie,
Professor David Wheeler, Dr Thomas Hiemstra). The undisputed highlight of the
event was the presentation by Caroline Ryan reflecting on her remarkable life story as a patient living with kidney disease since
the age of 9 and the advancements she has witnessed in care stemming from research over the past 40 years.
International Clinical Trials Day 2018 – Join us to celebrate in the atrium
Members of the public, patients and staff are invited to take part in ‘mock’ clinical trials to
learn more about clinical research during the week beginning 21
st
May 2018 in the hospital’s
atrium (next to Costa & Marks and Spencer) to celebrate ‘International Clinical Trials Day 2018’
and the 271
st
anniversary of James Lind’s landmark first clinical trial in 1747 on the treatment
of scurvy. Come along and see if you are a ‘smooth operator’ in our ‘Operation Trial’ or if you
know your chocolate in our ‘Chocolate Buttons Trial.’ The aim of the week is to raise the profile
of research activities within the hospital and to say thank you to our patients for supporting us;
as without the gift of their participation clinical research would not be possible. As part of the
celebration the expert bakers (no lie) in the department will be holding a cake sale in aid of a
local research charity.
Members of the research team and former research participants will at hand each day to
talk about research conducted within the Trust over the past 12 months and how you can get involved!
Annual R&D Tea & Coffee Afternoon – Friday 1st
June 2018
We will be holding our ‘Annual Tea / Coffee Afternoon’ event in the Helen Rollason Research Centre on Friday 1
st
June, 1-3pm.
The chosen beneficiary this year are our friends at the ‘Helen Rollason Cancer Charity’; with the day coinciding with their national
‘Tea for Helen’ event. Each year the tea / coffee afternoon is well supported. It is an opportunity to invite patients (current &
former) and their relatives to join us at the Helen Rollason Research Centre to have a catch-up over a cup of tea / coffee, to share
cakes and to take part in the ever popular charity raffle.
(L to R) Steven Kane, Kim Holland, Dr Reto Gamma, Sarah Williams

Recognising Recent Recruitment Performances
ASCOT (17783) - Lifestyle study for cancer survivors.
• Oncology. PI: Tracey Camburn, R&D Office Lead: Lauren Shillito.
• Top recruiting site nationally (of 9 sites); recruiting a total of 1,640 people.
PORUS-aRCC (31161) - Advanced renal cell carcinoma study.
• Oncology. PI: Gopalakrishnan Srinivasan, R&D Office Lead: Lauren Shillito.
• Top recruiting site nationally (of 20 sites) in 2017/18; recruiting a total of 9 participants to date.
CAR Burns (19795) – A study to refine the CAR burns scales.
• Burns. PI: Peter Dziewulski, R&D Office Lead: Helen Gerrish, Natalie Fox, Karen Cranmer.
• 2nd
highest recruiting site nationally (of 11 sites); recruiting a total of 191 participants to date.
Leeds Testicular (13737) - Identification of factors associated with speech disorder-cleft palate.
• Oncology. PI: Abdel Hamid, R&D Office Link: Lorraine James.
• 2nd
highest recruiting site in 2017/18 (of 11 sites); recruiting a total of 123 participants to date.
Cleft-Q (18483) - Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Cleft Lip and/or Palate Patients.
• Paediatrics. PI: Loshan Kangesu, R&D Office Link: Helen Gerrish, Karen Cranmer, Natalie Fox.
• 2nd highest recruiting site in 2017/18 (of 11 sites); recruiting a total of 123 participants to date.
CALYPSO (30435) – Identification of factors associated with speech disorder –cleft palate.
• Oncology. PI: Gopalakrishnan Srinivasan, R&D Office Link: Bryan Singizi.
• 2nd
highest recruiting site (of 8 sites) during 2017/18; recruiting 7 participants to date.
REALISM (36163) – Retrospective Review of current treatment pathways for MF in the UK.
• Oncology. PI: Nagi Waseem , R&D Office Link: Jo Wootton, Lizzie Dawson.
• 2nd
highest recruiting site (of 14 sites) during Q4 2017/18; recruiting 12 participants to date.
TRACC (18483) - Tracking mutations in cell free tumour DNA to predict Relapse in Early Colorectal Cancer.
• Oncology. PI: Gopalakrishnan Srinivasan, R&D Office Link: Lorraine James.
• 2nd
highest recruiting site (of 12 sites) during Q4 2017/18; recruiting 8 participants to date.
Prepare-ABC (30965) - Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Cleft Lip and/or Palate Patients.
• Oncology. PI: Toby Hammond, R&D Office Link: Yvonne Lester, Sian Gibson.
• 3rd
highest recruiting site (of 19 sites) during 2017/18; recruiting 19 participants to date.
1st
Performance
Recently Opened Studies (1st
January 2018 – 31st
March 2018)
NIHR portfolio adopted studies:
• ‘Optimising neonatal service provision for preterm babies’, Maternity, Dr Hassan.
• ‘Health Navigator’, Accident & Emergency, Dr Kiff.
• ‘PEACOCK’, Maternity, Ms Thakur.
• ‘PHOEBE’, Maternity, Ms Thakur.
• ‘OPTIMA’, Breast Cancer, Dr Hamid.
• ‘SERENADE’, Colorectal Cancer, Dr Lee.
• ‘Work outcome measures in arthritis & MSK conditions’, MSK, Susan Smolen.
• ‘PSR Gastric Electrical Stimulation’, Surgery, Mr Kadirkamanathan.
• ‘Effect of the CIS on adherence to maintenance therapy’, Dr Jenkins.
Non-NIHR portfolio studies:-
• ‘Help seeking in male family members of people with MS', Neurology, Dr Zoukos.
• ‘Assessment of chronic pain following a burns injury', St. Andrew’s, Dr Wilson.
• ‘INVICTUS’, Microbiology, Dr Elamin.
• ‘3261 Roche Surveillance', Microbiology, Dr Elamin.
• ‘ATLAS Surveillance', Microbiology, Dr Elamin.
1st
2nd
2nd
2nd
3rd
2nd
2nd2nd
2nd
2nd
2nd

A day in the life of a Research Midwife
Jen Dash – Research Midwife
The three questions that I frequently get asked about my role are:
(1) Did I want to do the job?
(2) Do I actually enjoy research?
(3) What do I do?
The answer to the first two questions is an unreserved ‘yes’ and ‘yes’. I
hope that reading the below will help you understand why I feel like this,
and additionally answer the third question!
I have always been interested in research. Throughout my training I
would wonder how we came to know things such as how we could use
certain medications to either encourage labour to start, or to prevent it
all together. Who first came up with the idea that a progesterone
suppository could prevent miscarriage? I have never understood why
people have no interest in research. We all strive to provide women with the best quality evidence-based
care, ensuring the best outcomes are achieved for the mother and her baby(s). Conducting research is
pivotal to us being able to do this. Thanks to research many women who years ago would not have been able
to have babies are able to, and many women and babies who would not have survived now do.
As a research midwife I am responsible for identifying appropriate clinical trials nationally (academia, NHS,
life science industry), setting up the studies on the wards, screening / recruiting participants and following
up those taking part for the duration of the study (which can be for several years). Currently I am recruiting
to:
• C-STICH - To examine the effect of using a monofilament suture material compared with a
braided suture on pregnancy loss rate and neonatal mortality.
• DREAMY- A prospective evaluation of accidental awareness under general anaesthesia in
obstetric patients.
• PHOENIX- Pre-eclampsia in hospital: Early induction or expectant management.
• PHOEBE- Does planned delivery improve postpartum maternal cardiac function through
attenuation of myocardial ischaemia at time of disease.
• PEACOCK- Prognostic indicators of severe disease in women with late preterm pre-eclampsia
to guide decision making on timing of delivery.
• OPTI-PREM- To optimise neonatal service provision for babies born between 27 weeks and 31
weeks gestation.
The most challenging part of my role is trying to convince colleagues, particularly at the consultant level, to
get actively involved in clinical research. The maternity department can often be overstretched, and
everybody works so hard to get their regular duties completed. Consequently research is sadly often seen as
an optional part of the job, which can be ignored, despite the Department of Health stating that ‘every NHS
patient should receive information about research that they are eligible to take part in’. The vast majority of
clinical trials require somebody of consultant level to act as a Principal Investigator, meaning that unless I
have a Consultant willing to lend their name to the trial we are unable to open the study and recruit
patients. Given how busy the consultants are it is understandable they have hesitancy in wanting to get
involved. However, in reality the vast majority of the work is carried out by the research team and should
not impact significantly on their workload.
“My goal is to embed research as a day-to-day routine activity within the maternity
department. To enable the clinical staff to gain access to the latest devices and medicines
being developed through research studies to advance scientific knowledge and healthcare. To
raise the awareness of research opportunities to our patients and ensuring that all women
who wish to participate in a research study as a care option are able to do so.”

Good Clinical Practice Training
Working to the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) are the cornerstone for anyone
involved in research. All people new to research must receive introductory training in
GCP and update (refresher) training every 2 years, or proportionate training pertinent to
their duties in supporting the research.
We run several taught and online ‘Introductory’ and ‘Refresher’ training courses to support
you in understanding and applying the principles of GCP into practice.
Our forthcoming classroom courses are on:-
‘Introduction to GCP’ Friday 13th April 2018, 9.30am-4.00pm, Olga Rippon Room, MAU
6 CPD points Friday 13
th
July 2018, 9.30am-4.00pm, Olga Rippon Room, MAU
Friday 12
th
October 2018, 9.30am-4.00pm, Olga Rippon Room, MAU
‘Refresher GCP Training’ Thursday 12th April 2018, 2.00pm-5.00pm, Olga Rippon Room, MAU
4 CPD points Thursday 12
th
July 2018, 2.00pm-5.00pm, Olga Rippon Room, MAU
Thursday 11th October 2018, 2.00pm-5.00pm, Lecture Theatre 1, MAU
If none of the above dates are convenient, we are happy to schedule further events. The
courses are open to members of all local NHS Trusts, GP practices and academia to attend.
For further information, or to register for online training contact
Paul Roberts on ext. 6454 or at paul.roberts2@meht.nhs.uk
Events
NIHR Research Design Service – Free guidance in support of grant applications
The NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) provides support to clinicians and researchers who
intend applying to national peer-reviewed funding programmes to undertake applied health
or social care research. RDS advisers offer a unique breadth of experience in helping both
novice and more experienced researchers to develop competitive research applications.
Advice is confidential and free of charge. If you are developing a research proposal to attract
nationally competitive funding, please contact Paul Roberts in the R&D department
(paul.roberts2@meht.nhs.uk ext. 6454) in the first instance. Paul will support you in writing
your bid and will liaise with the RDS to set up an initial meeting to talk through your research
ideas and provide ongoing support to enhance the bid.
The RDS holds regular ‘bid development workshops’ and ‘pre-submission’ review panels.
Bid Development Panel 22
nd
May 2018, Cambridge.
(Date TBC) July 2018, Norwich.
(Date TBC) September 2018, Norwich.
8
th
November 2018, Cambridge.
Pre-Submission Panel 19
th
June 2018 (submit by 12
th
June)
11
th
September 2018 (submit by 4
th
September)
23
rd
October 2018 )submit by 16
th
October)
To learn more about the RDS, please visit their website www.rds-eoe.nihr.ac.uk

Known Research Publications Authored by Trust Staff in Q4 (January 2018 – March 2018)
Publications
Bitat S.R., Kaimal N. (2018). ‘The use of continuous glucose monitoring: Impact on therapeutic decision making and glycaemic control.’
Diabetic Medicine 35: 165.
Bouras,T., Fennema, P., Burke, S., Bosman, H. (2018). ‘Stenotic intercondylar notch type is correlated with anterior cruciate ligament injury
in female patients using magnetic resonance imaging.’ Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 26: 1252-1257.
Charalabopoulos, A., Kordzadeh, A., Sdralis, E., Lorenzi, B., Ahmad, F. (2018). ‘Thoracoscopic total esophagogastrectomy with
supercharged colon interposition for the treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma in situs inversus.’ Acta chirurgica Belgica; Feb, 1-
4.
Deutsch, C.J., Tan, A., Smailes, S., Dziewulski, P. (2018). ‘The diagnosis and management of inhalation injury: An evidence based approach.’
Burns [epub ahead of print].
Elamin, W. (2018). Case 15 – A case of hospital acquired MRSA. In M. Chand and J. Holton, Case studies in infection control (1st
Edition,
Chapter 15). New York, USA: Garland Science.
Elamin, W., Davis, P., Milner, M., Leach, E., Jenkins, S., Teare, L. (2018). ‘Achilles tendon: the middle ware in pathology.’ The Bulletin of The
Royal College of Pathologists 181: 66.
Elamin, W.F., Weinberg, S., Spoors, C., Roberts, P., Martin, N., Berry, P., Teare, L. (2018). ‘Multi-drug resistance in burns units - more than
just a burning issue.’ Clinical Infectious Diseases [epub ahead of print].
Elshaer, M., Gravante, G., Tang, C.B., Jayanthi, N.V. (2018). ‘Totally minimally invasive two-stage esophagectomy with intrathoracic hand-
sewn anastomosis: short-term clinical and oncological outcomes.’ Dis Esophagus. [epub ahead of print).
Gravante, G., Stephenson, J.A., Elshaer, M., Osman, A., Vasanthan, S., Mullineux, J.H., Gani, M.A.D., Sharpe, D., Yeung, J., Norwood, M.,
Miller, A., Boyle, K., Hemingway, D. (2018). ‘Analysis of outcomes achieved with squamous cell carcinomas of the anus in a single
university hospital over the last two decades: Clinical response rate, relapse and survival of 190 patients.’ J Surg Oncol. 117: 269-274.
Hung, S.Y., Loh, C.Y.Y., Chen, H.C. (2018). ‘Supercharging Extra-Large Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for Single-Stage Resurfacing of Massive Burn
Defects Over Upper Extremity Elbow Joints.’ J Burn Care Res. [epub ahead of print].
Iwuagwu, F., Chowdhry, M., Delikonstantinou, I. (2018). ‘Free second dorsal metacarpal artery flap for digital reconstruction: When you
cannot go local, you can go free.’ J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. [epub ahead of print].
Kinnear, J., Wilson, N., O'Dwyer, A. (2018). ‘Evaluating team decision-making as an emergent phenomenon.’ Postgrad Med J. [epub ahead
of print].
Kordzadeh, A., Askari, A., Panayiotopoulos, Y. (2018). ‘Independent association of arteriovenous ratio index on the primary functional
maturation of autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula.’ Journal of Vascular Surgery [epub ahead of print].
Kordzadeh, A., Charalabopoulos, A. (2018). ‘The little old lady's hernia.’ Surgery 163: 482.
Kordzadeh, A., Hoff, M., Tokidis, E., King, D.H., Browne, T., Prionidis, I. (2018). ‘Novel Assessment (BlueDop) Device for Detection of Lower
Limb Arterial Disease: A Prospective Comparative Study.’ Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine 37: 763-768.
Lilleker J.B., Vencovsky, J., Srinivasan, A. et al. (2018) ‘The EuroMyositis registry: An international collaborative tool to facilitate myositis
research.’ Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 77: 30-39.
Liyanage M.S. (2018). ‘Improving outcomes following emergency laparotomy: Aggregation of marginal gains.’ Sri Lankan Journal of
Anaesthesiology 26: 4-9.
Mumtaz, S., Parrish, J., Singh, M. (2018). ‘Oculosympathetic paresis after selective neck dissection: A 'distant' complication.’ Oral Oncol. 16:
S1368-8375.
O'Dwyer, A., Kinnear, J., Wilson, N. (2018) ‘Assessing thinking dispositions of clinicians as individuals and team members.’ Anaesthesia 73:
67.
Oni, G., Chow, W., Ramakrishnan, V., Griffiths, M. (2018). ‘Plastic Surgeon-Led Ultrasound.’ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 141: 300e-
309e.
Perkins, V.A., McFerran, S., Kordzadeh, A., Sdralis, E., Lorenzi, B., Charalabopoulos, A. (2018). ‘Gastric conduit obstruction due to
gastroduodenal compression: a new complication post-Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy.’ Acta Chir Belg. 118: 59-63.
Powrie, K. (2018). ‘Identification and management of drug allergy.’ Nursing Standard 33: 45-50.
Raine, C., Stapleton, P.P., Merinopoulos, D., Maw, W.W., Achilleos, K., Gayford, D., Mapplebeck, S., Mackerness, C., Schofield, P.,
Dasgupta B. (2018). ‘A 26-week feasibility study comparing the efficacy and safety of modified-release prednisone with immediate-
release prednisolone in newly diagnosed cases of giant cell arteritis.’ International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 21: 285-291.
Rashid, M.S., Aziz, S., Haydar, S., Fleming, S.S., Datta, A. (2018). ‘Intra-operative fluoroscopic radiation exposure in orthopaedic trauma
theatre.’ Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 28: 9-14.
Salim, S., Philip, S. (2018). ‘Use of pre-emptive ephedrine guided by perfusion index in the management of maternal hypotension secondary
to spinal anaesthesia: A randomised controlled trial.’ Anaesthesia 73: 69.
Upadhyaya, K., Hendra, H., Wilson, N. (2018). ‘A high impact intervention for a high impact intervention: Improving documentation of
peripheral venous access insertion in theatre.’ Journal of Infection Prevention 19: 43-45.
Win, T.S., Nizamoglu, M., Maharaj, R., Smailes, S., El-Muttardi, N., Dziewulski, P. (2018). ‘Relationship between multidisciplinary critical
care and burn patients survival: A propensity-matched national cohort analysis.’ Burns 44: 57-64.

Funding£
National Research Grant Funding Opportunities & Deadlines
Below are some of the currently open nationally competitive research funding calls that are applicable to the Trust. The list below
is by no means an exhaustive list of opportunities; just the main (NIHR badged) ones. You are encouraged to contact the R&D
office if seeking funding to support your research idea at the earliest opportunity. Especially if your proposed study is likely to
need the services of a Clinical Trials Unit. We are here to help search for the most appropriate funding opportunities that are
available both nationally and internationally to you.
NIHR ‘RESEARCH FOR PATIENT BENEFIT’ (UP TO £350,000)
Researcher-led call. All specialities. Two stage application process:
 Purpose is to realise, through evidence, the huge potential for improving, expanding and strengthening the way that
healthcare is delivered for patients, the public and the NHS. Current Competition 36: deadline 18
th
July 2018
http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/funding-for-research-studies/how-to-apply/research-programmes/research-
for-patient-benefit/
NIHR ‘HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME’
Commissioned call for proposals that address specific topics, identified by the HTA:
17/136 - Surgery for early osteoarthritis: deadline 24
th
May 2018.
18/50 – Frail older people in primary care: deadline 26
th
September 2018.
18/44 – Pre-hospital pain management: deadline 19
th
September 2018.
18/45- Proton pump inhibitor for refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: deadline 26
th
September 2018.
Future calls for proposals that address specific topics, identified by the HTA:
Call - Adjustable Velcro-fastened compression systems for the treatment of venous leg ulcers: Call release ~August 2018
Call - Interventions for the management of perceptual disorders following stroke: Call release ~August 2018
Call - Strategies for the management of chronic constipation in childhood: Call release ~August 2018
Call - Surgical management of pressure ulcer: Call release: ~March 2018
Call - Repair of digital nerve injury: ~March 2018
Call - Nebulised saline in patients with COPD: ~March 2018
Call - Prehospital pain management: ~March 2018
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/funding-opportunities/?&start=1&custom_in_Programme=5239
NIHR ‘EFFICACY AND MECHANISM EVALUATION PROGRAMME’
Researcher-led call. All specialities.
18/58 - Researcher-led: deadline 21
st
August2018
Commissioned call for proposals that address specific topics, identified by EME:
18/57 - Type2 Diabetes: deadline 21
st
August 2018
18/59 – Mechanisms of action of health interventions: deadline 21
st
August 2018
www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/current-funding-opportunities
NIHR ‘HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY RESEARCH’
Commissioned call for proposals that address specific topics, identified by the HTA:
18/10 Research on interventions to improve the patient and family experience of complaints management and the
decision to litigate against the NHS: deadline 10
th
May 2018.
For further information and support in writing an application for any of the above, or to learn about other
funding avenues, please contact Paul Roberts (Home-Grown Research Project Manager) on
paul.roberts2@meht.nhs.uk or ext. 6454 at the earliest convenience.
Research Grant Funding – Things to think about when writing a bid and NIHR portfolio adoption
The infograph on the opposite page is an outline of the key considerations as
you prepare to seek funding to take your research ideas forward.
When selecting a funding source, in the first instance try to seek funding from
one of the national NIHR grant award schemes (listed below) or from one of
the funding bodies listed on the NIHR Partner List (link right).
Funding from these sources means that your study will be adopted to the NIHR
research portfolio and will therefore be eligible to receive the full support of
NIHR funded research nurses within the Trust’s R&D department to aid in the
practical delivery of your study.
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/documents/study-
support-
service/Eligibility/NIHR%20Partner%20List%20Version%2002%20Marc
h%202018.pdf

“What is an innovation?”
Innovation is the process of developing an idea to meet a technical or operational need. In the NHS this is usually a healthcare
need. Innovation in the NHS can take different forms. Often innovation may be related to process and service improvement (i.e.
educational tools), but it may also take place through the development of new medical technology (i.e. a medical device) or new
clinical tools (i.e. app, software etc.).
New and novel innovations may lead to the generation of intellectual property which can be protected and commercially exploited
for the benefit of our patients, the Trust, your department and to you personally as the inventor! We are confident that there are
some wonderful ideas out there from all areas of our local workforce, so please come forward with confidence with your ideas.
Involved in procurement? – The Trust can get paid in full for using
the latest NHS England approved innovations
Do you purchase consumables for the Trust? Did you know that the Trust could be reimbursed for
using the latest healthcare innovations that have undergone extensive research and are fully
endorsed by NHS England as part of NHS England’s ‘NHS Innovation and Technology Tariff’?
What’s not to like about that when budgets are tight!
NHS England have announced the first innovations to join a new fast-track payment scheme
designed to accelerate the uptake of cutting-edge technologies. The NHS has a proud track
record of world firsts in medical innovation but getting wide uptake has often been far too
slow. The new payment system brings clarity on fast-track funding to get ground breaking
new treatments and technologies to NHS patients. Simply order from product supplier and
NHS England will be invoiced directly.
The first six chosen innovations are:
 Guided mediolateral episiotomy scissors (link)
 Arterial connecting systems to prevent accidental injection of intravenous medication (link)
 Pneumonia prevention systems, designed to stop ventilator-associated pneumonia (link)
 Web-based applications for the self-management of COPD (link)
 Frozen microbiota transplantation for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection rates (link)
 Prostatic urethral lift systems to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia as a day case (link)
NHS England will directly fund the costs of these six innovations and intend to expand the number of
innovations covered by the tariff for future years. Get ordering and watch this space!
Innovations
“Can I make money from my innovation idea?”
If we can protect the design & commercially exploit then yes you can! The Trust is keen to see healthcare innovations come
forward and has a generous ‘Intellectual Property Policy’ (link) that rewards inventors and their departments (see table below). The
Trust’s Research & Development Department are here to work with you and support the development of your innovation idea into
practice. If you have an idea for an innovation related to your role in the NHS, even if it is not yet fully formed, contact
research@meht.nhs.uk. We will keep your idea confidential and work with you to take your innovation forward.
Health Enterprise East – Many thanks for your support over the years.
The end of 2017/18 marked the end of our long-standing innovation partnership with Health Enterprise
East. We would like to thank Dr Anne Blackwood and her team for their support in promoting innovation
in the Trust, commercially evaluating ideas, protecting intellectual property, proof of concept &
prototype design leading to commercialisation. The Trust remains committed to developing innovation
within the organisation, with ideas taken forward and evaluated on a case by case basis going forward.

New report on the spread of innovation in the NHS
National survey - Public attitudes towards clinical research
Latest Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the HRA and NIHR looking at public attitudes towards
health research (published 8th March 2018). The survey asked 13 questions of 1,014 adults across
England, Scotland and Wales who came from a broad spectrum of ages, social class, level of
education and ethnic backgrounds to gauge opinions on clinical research.
Findings continue to demonstrate the public's strong support for clinical research in the NHS
and desire to partake in studies pertinent to their condition. What the survey has highlighted,
for the first time, is that more needs to be done to ensure people from lower socio-economic
groups (D,E) and ethnic minorities (non-white) are equally confident about partaking in research.
 96% believed clinical research important to the NHS.
 91% confident that they will be treated with dignity and respect when taking part in research.
 80% were confident that their personal data would be held securely when taking part in research.
 48% believed that they would receive better care in research active hospitals.
 40% thought they would receive better treatment in research active hospitals.
What does the survey tell us about MEHT? Well, currently about 1% of our patients take part in research studies each year. We
believe that there are ~250,000 patients entering the hospital each year who would welcome an opportunity to hear about
research studies they could become involved with.
and finally…
  
Research, Development & Innovation
C254 West Wing,
Broomfield Hospital,
Court Road,
Chelmsford,
Essex, CM1 7ET
 Telephone: (01245) 515136
 E-mail: research@meht.nhs.uk
 Website: www.meht.nhs.uk/research
 Twitter: @MEHTresearch
A new report from The King’s Fund charts the journeys of eight innovations from creation to
widespread use in the NHS. From new communication technologies for patients with long-
term conditions, to new care pathways in liver disease diagnosis, to new checklists for busy
A&E departments, the report details the highs and lows of an innovator’s journey through
the NHS. While thousands of patients are now receiving new innovative treatments for
arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic liver disease, thanks to successful
innovations, the report outlines the significant barriers that stand in innovators’ paths:-
 Providers need to be able to select and tailor innovations that deliver the greatest value
given local challenges and work in the local context.
 Fragmentation of NHS services remains a barrier to adoption and spread of innovation,
making it harder to develop shared approaches and transmit learning across sites.
 New innovations may appear simple to introduce but can have a domino effect –
triggering a series of changes to diagnosis and treatment, revealing new patient needs
and resulting in big changes to staff and patient roles.
 As long as the NHS sets aside less than 0.1% of available resources for the adoption and
spread of innovation, a small fraction of the funds available for innovation itself, the
NHS’s operating units will struggle to adopt large numbers of innovations and rapidly
improve productivity.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/innovation-nhs

Research focus issue6_spring 2018

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