​ Background

​Gillian Gatiss (@LiverDietitian), is a specialist liver transplant Dietitian at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and is undertaking research that aims to help patients with liver cirrhosis to become better nourished by individualising the nutritional treatment they receive. The research has three parts:

1. Measure participant’s energy needs by both research-standard and portable energy measuring machines and dietitian’s calculation.
2. Measure food intake, appetite and gut hormones.
3. Interview patients with cirrhosis to explore their experiences.

Stephen Bedford is part of Gillian’s patient and public involvement (PPI) advisory group and has answered questions about his experiences of PPI with this research project.
 

What would you say to other people about participating in research?
I would advise anyone who is lucky enough to join in with PPI to accept. I have already volunteered to undertake any of the planned tests but unfortunately, I can’t. You can’t be on the PPI group and take part in the actual study. Also, as Addenbrooke’s Hospital have now fixed me, studying me would not provide evidence during the specific phase they are targeting.
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
In conclusion, if you are invited to take part in research, please accept. It will help, for example by helping the dietitians make a more scientific assessment of your dietary requirements. This will help you and anyone who is lucky enough to get the transplant they need. Make no mistake, a transplant is a major operation. The more energy you have before and after is crucial to being fit enough firstly for the surgery and subsequently able to recover quicker after. You will need their help. I know I’ve been there.
 
I get involved with research to assist in the scientific assessment of patients’ needs.

Research active organisations get better outcomes for patients. Historically clinical research has been undertaken by medical professionals, such as Doctors, with NMAHPs mostly supporting research. However, national strategies are helping to develop a culture of NMAHPs leading clinical research.
 
Our Trust has nurses, midwives and AHPs who are developing and undertaking research. However, we also have a large number of NMAHPs with a desire to do research or develop research skills.

​Research training and delivery opportunities have not always been visible, understandable or relatable to the NMAHP workforce. We are working to change this. During my time working at the Trust I have observed a swell in research culture for NMAHPs and have been part of its development. I have been inspired by the great work going on across the country and world to develop NMAHP research culture and capacity, and would like to share some of the work within my Trust.
 
NMAHP Research Leadership
​
Led by Professor Christi Deaton and Sara Jones we have united nurses, midwives and AHPs from across the Trust in a ‘leadership group’ to lead the way in cultivating NMAHP research capacity and culture. With the guidance of our strategic plan and support from partners such as the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), we are developing platforms to share research training and funding opportunities, support clinical-academic careers, develop research skills and establish a culture where research alongside clinical practice is the norm for nurse, midwives and AHPs.

Fellowships

ACT and the BRC provide a clinical research fellowship programme for NMAHPs working in the Trust. This provides time, funding and mentoring for NMAHPs to develop research skills and apply for funding such as the HEE/NIHR integrated clinical academic programme. I am fortunate to be undertaking one of these fellowships, giving me the opportunity to apply for doctoral funding.
 
Training and mentoring

We provide training and mentoring opportunities for NMAHPs wishing to develop research skills and pursue a clinical-academic career, e.g. monthly NMAHP fellowship meetings, the Cambridge nurses in research group meetings and workshops delivered by the University of Cambridge’s Clinical Nursing Research Group.

Social media and online sharing

We have created a twitter account, @cuh_research, to share NMAHP research opportunities and knowledge. We are working with the Trust’s communication team to add a ‘NMAHP research’ tab to the Trust’s website.
 
Annual Conference

​We hold an annual NMAHP Research conference to showcase NMAHP research, with a different theme each year. Last year’s theme was ‘research and practice: making the connection’ and this year’s is ‘breaking down barriers’.