The latest achievements in work to enhance patient care through research were celebrated at this year’s Institute for Excellence in Healthcare (IEH) conference.
The third annual conference highlighted the continuing success of the IEH – which is run in partnership by UHL and the University of Leicester (UoL) – while providing healthcare professionals and academics with the chance to spark new ideas, strengthen partnerships and accelerate the translation of research concepts into real improvements for patients.
The IEH works to deliver world-class research opportunities for healthcare colleagues in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, bringing together research infrastructure across UHL and UoL to pursue projects which meet the needs of the local population, while also creating a vibrant working environment for colleagues.
During the conference, held at the UoL’s Sir Bob Burgess building, prizes were presented to three participants for their outstanding contributions:
- Best poster (as judged by the attendees) – Zunaid Jusab, Pharmacy Technician
Zunaid Jusab said: “It was amazing to receive this prize for my Quality Improvement Fellowship research study. I hope that it will one day improve efficiency for UHL, as well as accelerating patient discharges.
“The conference featured a large variety of research studies that will hopefully be used to further patient care, and I am honoured that my work is among them. I look forward to next year’s conference, and hope to show the full results from my study there.”
- Best poster (as judged by the Institute’s steering committee) – Jaz Kaur, Student Nurse
- Best participants’ presentation – Paul Bird, Clinical Scientist (highlighting his work on the RELIEF study, with Elinor Howcroft, Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist and Christopher Holmes, Lead Healthcare Scientist)
Paul Bird said: “I was delighted to receive the prize for best oral presentation. The conference highlighted the important role of research in identifying opportunities to improve healthcare and translating evidence into meaningful benefits for patients.
“It was particularly encouraging to see research from such a wide range of specialties, presented by colleagues at different stages of their careers. I look forward to attending again next year and hearing how colleagues across UHL are continuing to improve the care we provide to our patients.”
At the event, five separate workshops were held, exploring topics including how to connect research evidence to real-world practice, the practical challenges of implementing evidence-based change, and opportunities for professionals to access funding for research projects.
The day’s programme was introduced by speakers including:
- UHL’s Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, Julie Hogg
- Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, in his role as Head of the NIHR East Midlands Applied Health Research Collaboration, and
- NIHR Coordination Centre Programme Manager, Nathan Beebe
Afternoon keynote speeches were delivered by:
- Professor David Wright, Head of the UoL’s School of Healthcare
- Dr Katie Gallagher, Clinical Associate Professor in Children’s and Neonatal Nursing, and
- Dr Olubukola Ayodele, UHL’s Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Lead
UHL’s Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, Julie Hogg, said: “Over the past three years, the Institute for Excellence in Healthcare has grown from a shared ambition into a thriving partnership, bringing together the strengths of a leading university and a major NHS trust to create exciting opportunities for clinicians, researchers, educators and students to make a huge difference for patients by providing safer, more effective, more equitable and more personalised care.
“Working with the University of Leicester, we will continue to ensure that the benefits of advancing knowledge through research are felt by every patient, family and neighbourhood we serve.”
Professor David Wright, Head of the University of Leicester’s School of Healthcare, said: “The Institute for Excellence in Healthcare conference represents the culmination of the year’s work by a wide variety of individuals to further enhance the excellent research culture which exists between UHL and the University of Leicester.
“Large numbers of midwives, nurses, operating department practitioners, physiotherapists, psychologists and radiographers graduate from our programmes each year, and all are taught in how research can be used to enhance patient care. The Institute was set up to enhance opportunities for colleagues to include research with their practice.
“This conference showcase was used to present models of good practice for future practitioners and managers, while also celebrating the Institute’s many successes.”