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Author: Louise Stanley

BHP part of new regional programme to support early career researchers

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

The University of Birmingham is leading a new partnership which aims to strengthen support for early career clinical researchers, thanks to major funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC), helping build research capacity across the region and beyond.

The MRC has announced funding for the establishment of 10 Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR), working with NHS organisations to benefit approximately 200 clinicians across the UK. The investment brings together more than 50 research organisations and over 60 NHS organisations across the UK.

The University – a founding member of BHP – will host the West Midlands Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (WMRACR), a partnership programme in collaboration with fellow BHP member Aston University, and the universities of Warwick and Keele, aimed at increasing the number of clinical academics in the region. As Birmingham’s strategic research partnership, BHP is one of three  academic-NHS alliances within the WMRACR.

Clinicians (including doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives, therapists and pharmacists) play a vital role in delivering patient care and identifying the most pressing challenges faced by health services. Despite serving around 12% of the UK population, the West Midlands currently has only 6.8% of the national clinical academic workforce. WMRACR aims to address this imbalance through a coordinated, region-wide approach that strengthens opportunities for aspiring clinical academics.

The WMRACR combines expertise in discovery science, primary care, real-world research and widening participation and will create a shared framework for collaboration, enabling joint supervision, access to specialist facilities, and opportunities to work across institutions.

The WMRACR will focus on key career transition points for clinical academics, particularly the move from PhD to independence and returning to research after time in clinical roles or career breaks. Researchers will benefit from tailored support and structured fellowship development through the University of Birmingham Fellowship Academy.

Professor Lorraine Harper, Professor of Nephrology at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Health Partners Managing Director, said: “By bringing together universities, NHS organisations and regional partners, WMRACR will provide coordinated support for talented clinicians at critical stages of their research careers, helping to accelerate innovation and improve patient care across the region.”

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BHP People – “our ambition is to offer research opportunities to every patient”

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in BHP People, Birmingham Health Partners.

Sarah Manney is Deputy Head of Research Governance and Quality Assurance Lead at University Hospitals Birmingham, and is the Trust’s first recipient of the BHP People award.

We spoke to Sarah about her journey from clinical researcher to audits and governance, navigating Trust mergers and a global pandemic, and the sheer scale of clinical trials at UHB.

Q: Can you briefly run us through your career so far and how you came to work at UHB?

SM: I always wanted to be a research scientist, and I was fortunate to follow that path early on. I joined what was then Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in 2000 as an air pollution scientist, which was always an interesting job title to explain.

My work focused on researching how air pollution affects people with conditions such as heart and lung disease, including asthma and COPD. I also ran a couple of research laboratories, including an exposure lab, where we worked closely with patients and got to know them very well. That was a fantastic foundation for my career because it combined science with direct patient impact.

While working there, I completed my PhD in 2008 and later moved into respiratory research, specialising in severe asthma for a number of years. As a registered clinical scientist, my role involved both research and patient-facing assessments.

I then worked across a range of specialties, including prostate cancer, gynaecology and ENT, before moving into quality assurance in 2013.

That background in clinical research and trial delivery gave me a strong foundation for the role. I started as a team of one, and we’ve since grown into an expanding team with responsibility for quality assurance across the Trust.

So, it’s been a varied journey, but one that’s always stayed rooted in research and improving standards and patient care.

Q: What are some of the tasks and duties you’re involved in most frequently within quality assurance?

SM: A large part of our day-to-day work is audits and monitoring. Audits provide a snapshot of a study at a specific point in time, while monitoring is an ongoing process. We monitor Trust-sponsored studies and audit externally hosted or sponsored research.

This involves reviewing trial documentation such as medical records, investigator site files, pharmacy and radiology records to make sure studies can be fully evidenced and are being run correctly. Everything we do is guided by Good Clinical Practice standards to ensure research is safe, ethical and high quality.

Alongside audits and monitoring, we also handle a significant amount of query resolution. A few years ago, we introduced a shared inbox to make it easier for colleagues to contact us. Historically, some people were hesitant to approach quality assurance teams because they assumed we were there to find fault. In reality, our role is to support people and help them get things right.

That change in approach has made a big difference. We used to receive one or two emails, and now we receive dozens each week. A lot of our time is spent answering questions, solving problems and helping teams work through issues quickly.

We also have a strong reporting process, including peer review, which helps staff develop both their technical knowledge and their report writing skills.

Another key part of my own role is leading investigations into more significant incidents or issues, where experience in trial delivery is particularly valuable. Everyone in the team has practical research experience, which means we can bring that real-world understanding into our quality assurance work.

Q: You’ve implemented a number of processes and systems to improve workflow – can you tell us a little more about these and the impact they’ve had?

SM: We’ve focused on improving both processes and systems to make quality assurance more proactive. One key change has been introducing support at study set-up stage, so we work with teams from the very beginning on documentation, training and requirements. That helps prevent issues later and gives staff the right support early on.

We’ve also introduced a self-monitoring checklist that teams can use themselves. This helps colleagues understand what auditors and regulators look for, while encouraging greater ownership and confidence.

On the systems side, we’ve developed electronic tools to track audits, activity and findings. That allows us to identify trends, spot where extra support may be needed, and tailor training for specific teams or investigators. We deliver training sessions linked to quality assurance, governance and research standards more broadly, helping colleagues build confidence and maintain high standards across the organisation.

Similarly, we are also developing tools to track our electronic incident reports, including safety reporting, which helps us respond more quickly to emerging issues and areas of potential risk.

Q: What changes have you seen in clinical research throughout your career and what developments can you see on the horizon?

SM: The scale of change has been huge. Organisationally, the merger of Heart of England and UHB significantly expanded the scope of our work and gave us the opportunity to grow the quality assurance function. During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the immense challenges across healthcare, there was also a need to move at pace and adapt quickly, which accelerated some improvements in how research was delivered and supported.

In clinical research more broadly, one of the biggest transformations has been in HIV treatment. Earlier in my career, outcomes were far more limited, whereas now many patients can live long and healthy lives with effective treatment.

Another major development has been the rise of biologic therapies. I saw that particularly in respiratory medicine, where treatment options for severe asthma have expanded enormously, and similar progress has been seen in cancer care and other specialties.

Looking ahead, personalised medicine is one of the most exciting areas. Treatments are becoming increasingly tailored to the individual patient, particularly in areas such as cancer, and I think we’ll continue to see major advances there.

One of the privileges of this role is having visibility across many specialties, so you get to see not only the innovation itself, but the real difference it makes to patients’ lives.

Q: What’s something patients might not realise about research studies at UHB?

SM: I think many patients are surprised by the sheer scale of research taking place at UHB. We have more than 1,500 studies open at any one time, either recruiting participants or following patients up.

People also often associate research mainly with cancer, but in reality we now have studies taking place across almost every specialty and disease area. Whatever treatment pathway a patient is following, there is likely to be some form of research connected to it.

Our long-term ambition is to be able to offer research opportunities to every patient who comes through our doors.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in research governance and support?

SM: My main advice would be to take your time and focus on learning. It can be tempting to think immediately about progression, but research is a field where experience really matters. There is a lot you can learn through training, but much of it comes from doing the role, working with different teams and understanding how all the moving parts fit together.

It’s important to stay open-minded and learn from others, no matter how much experience you already have. Research is constantly evolving, and everyone is still learning all the time.

You also need to be able to balance working within strict regulations and frameworks while remaining practical and solution-focused in the real world.

Above all, remember that patients are at the centre of everything we do. Whether you’re approving a study, carrying out an audit or supporting delivery behind the scenes, the ultimate purpose is always to improve outcomes for patients.

Back to BHP People

£50m for tackling disparities in maternal healthcare

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Health inequalities, Maternal health.

Funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has established the NIHR Inequalities Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium which will unite higher education, NHS, community and voluntary organisations to close the most critical gaps in maternal care, under the leadership of the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University.

The NIHR has committed £50 million over five years to drive forward the vital research led by clinicians, researchers, and communities across the consortium marking the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for maternity care in the UK, with national attention increasingly focused on improving safety, equity and women’s experiences of care.

The Government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy highlights the need to improve care before and between pregnancies for underserved communities, against this backdrop, the consortium will generate the evidence, interventions and research capacity needed to help translate national ambition into practical, equitable improvements for women, babies and families.

University of Birmingham is leading on improving maternity care pathways across the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods, ensuring that every woman receives the right care, at the right time, throughout her pregnancy journey.

Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Consortium Co-lead for Research, University of Birmingham said: “National attention on maternity safety and equity has never been greater, but ambition must now be matched by evidence and implementation. Through this consortium, we will work across the UK to understand what works, for whom and in what contexts, and to ensure that research leads to practical changes in care for the women, babies and families who need them most.”

Professor Judith Rankin OBE, Consortium Co-lead for Research and Capacity Development, Newcastle University said: “This funding represents a critical opportunity to make the step change we need to improve outcomes for women and their babies. Alongside the research, the Consortium will be investing in tomorrow’s research leaders today to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on improving pregnancy outcomes, access to, and experience of, care.”

Maternal health inequalities remain one of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS. In the UK, Black women continue to face a substantially higher risk of dying during or after pregnancy than white women, and women and families living in the most deprived communities continue to experience poorer outcomes. These inequalities are not inevitable.

Dr Vicky Hodgetts Morton, Associate Professor in Obstetrics at the University of Birmingham, Consultant Obstetrician and Co-Lead of the consortium’s Pregnancy, birth and early postnatal mental health theme said: “Too many women and families continue to experience avoidable disparities in maternity care and outcomes. This Consortium brings together researchers, clinicians, women, families and communities from across the UK with a shared commitment to tackling these inequalities.

“Working alongside colleagues at the University of Birmingham, including Professor Laura Jones, Professor Katie Morris, Professor Amy Grove, Dr Sarah Hillman and Dr Michelle Fisher, and partners across the Consortium, we are combining scientific expertise, lived experience and strong partnerships to better understand why these disparities occur and, more importantly, develop solutions that make a real difference.”

Dr Michelle Fisher, Senior Research Fellow in Applied Health at the University of Birmingham, and Emerging Co-Lead of the Racism, Discrimination and Intersectionality workstream said: “This research consortium is an important advancement in enabling researchers, service users, charities, communities, clinicians, and leaders to tackle racism and discrimination in the maternity care system across the UK.”

The NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium will bring together clinicians, researchers, women, families and communities across the UK to develop practical, evidence-based solutions that can improve care, reduce avoidable harm and support better outcomes for mothers, babies and families.

The NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium is a first of a series of NIHR Inequality challenge focused fundings calls secured by the University of Birmingham which includes the NIHR Cardiovascular Inequalities Challenge.

Key areas of research

Before and between pregnancies (preconception and interpregnancy care)

The consortium will examine how women and families can be better supported before pregnancy and between pregnancies. This includes improving access to advice and care that can help people prepare for pregnancy, manage existing health conditions and reduce risks before they build up.

Pregnancy, birth and early recovery after birth

Research will focus on improving care during pregnancy, birth and the early weeks after birth. This will include work on major causes of poor maternal health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes in pregnancy, obesity, perinatal mental health and complications during recovery after birth.

Care for babies and families after birth

The consortium will develop and test better ways to support babies and families who are at higher risk of poor outcomes. This includes improving follow up care after birth, strengthening links between hospital and community services, and supporting families as they move from maternity and neonatal care into longer term child and family support.

Access, communication and experience of care

The programme will look at how services can be easier to access, easier to understand and more responsive to women and families. This includes improving communication, language support, shared decision making and the overall experience of care, particularly for those who are least well served by current systems.

Tackling racism, discrimination and unfairness

The consortium will ensure that research directly addresses racism, discrimination and other forms of unfairness that affect maternity care and outcomes. This will be built into how interventions are designed, delivered and evaluated.

Working with communities

Women, families and community organisations will help shape the research from the beginning. The consortium will work with peer researchers, charities and community partners to make sure the work reflects real experiences and is useful to the people most affected by maternity inequalities.

Using data and evidence to drive change

The programme will use data, digital tools, health economics and real-world evaluation to understand what works, for whom and in what circumstances. This will help identify practical changes that can be delivered fairly and scaled across different parts of the UK.

Celebrating Liz Adey – the Brummie Impact

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in BHP People.

Liz Adey, Head of Research and Development at BHP founding member Birmingham Women’s and Children’s (BWC) NHS Foundation Trust, passed away in 2025, following a short illness.

Always ahead of the curve in her approach and thinking, Liz never lost sight of the need for research to benefit patients and communities. There are few people who met her who wouldn’t give testament to her unequivocal level of support, encouragement and can-do attitude.

Liz was remembered and celebrated at BWC’s recent ‘Brummie Impact’ research showcase in April, where her brother Paul received the BHP People Award on her behalf from BHP Managing Director, Professor Lorraine Harper

For many she is synonymous with the creation of the Medical Innovation Development Research Unit (MIDRU) having convinced the then Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) board to invest in a purpose-built research facility at Heartlands Hospital, with the proposal of securing commercial income to provide long term funding.

Earlier this year, a newly refurbished Clinical Research Facility (CRF) officially opened within the MIDRU building, supported by a £4.1 million grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Liz worked for the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit (BCTU) on a range of projects before becoming a Research & Development (R&D) manager. She had a transformative effect at BWC, reinvigorating and raising the profile of R&D across the Trust.

Just a few examples are:

  • A colleague who credits Liz’s guidance and support in obtaining their PhD, being published, presenting at national and international conferences and securing external funding to continue her research.
  • Supporting the pharmacy teams at HEFT and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to utilise electronic systems for pharmacy research, with the work now reaching national and international levels and being held up as an exemplar by the NIHR.
  • Helping establish a Clinical Trials Scholarship programme and appointing the first cohort, affectionately known as ‘the Magnificent Seven’. All have since gone on to have considerable success in the research field, securing over £10 million in grants and hitting close to 100 publications. Now in its eight cohort with 30 clinicians across the Trust, the programme is testament to all of Liz’s enthusiasm and hard work.

Much loved and well respected throughout the research community both regionally and beyond, Liz was a font of knowledge. She supported researchers equally, from those starting out through to professors and was always at the end of a phone or email to offer advice.

She was a keen advocate of sharing practice and knowledge and was always a key contributor to training and working groups. She actively led the Quality Assurance group for BHP and the training for this as part of the West Midlands Research Training Collaborative (WMRTC). She wasn’t afraid to share ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ if it meant that standards could be raised and lessons learned for the benefit of research and ultimately to give patients better care and access to treatments.

Liz showed the same enthusiasm and dedication in her personal life, being a Guide Leader for many years, spending many weekends on trips, events and organising activities for the group.

This even continued online during the pandemic. She was an active volunteer at Park Run, and even when her asthma wouldn’t allow her to run it, she was often the tail walker or cheering the runners around the course – come rain or shine.

Her volunteering stretched to being an Olympic volunteer at London 2012, and later at the Commonwealth games in Birmingham. Liz instinctively contributed to the lives of others through her work, volunteering and also her fundraising for the two charities closest to her heart, Cancer Research UK and Asthma UK – once running the London Marathon in aid of these organisations. This was in addition to being a regular participant in the Cancer Research UK 5km events.

Liz had a strong sense of purpose, with an inherent kindness rarely seen. She is much missed.

Liz’s partner, Damian Powell, with her award

Bringing research to life at UHB for International Clinical Trials Day 2026

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

In celebration of International Clinical Trials Day 2026, research and innovation teams hosted their annual research showcase across all four hospital sites of BHP founder-members University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

From groundbreaking clinical trials to pioneering developments, the events highlighted the incredible research taking place at UHB and the real difference it is making for patients across Birmingham and far beyond.

International Clinical Trials Day provides an opportunity to shine a light on the vital health research taking place in our hospitals and around the world, while helping patients, visitors and staff better understand research and its impact.

Delivery, data and governance teams were among those showcasing the important work they do every day through interactive stands and activities for members of the public and colleagues.

At UHB’s QEHB and Heartlands Hospital events, a panel of judges, including patient and public involvement (PPI) representatives, visited each stand as part of the ‘Best Stand’ competition, speaking with teams and selecting their top three. Congratulations to the joint first-place winners – the Dermatology Research Team and Therapies Team at QEHB, and the Neonatal Team at Heartlands.

At Heartlands Hospital, our on-site research bus, staffed by research nurses, offered local people the opportunity to get involved in research. This included recruitment to the Genes & Health Study, open to British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani communities, with participation as simple as providing a saliva sample.

This year’s events were made even more special as they coincided with the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) – funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

Embracing the NIHR20 theme, teams at each event showcased work that reflected NIHR’s four key pillars – impact, inclusion, innovation, and investment – while highlighting some of the most significant achievements over the past 20 years.

Following the showcase at QEHB, a further afternoon event welcomed Alex Churchill, Deputy Director at the Department of Health and Social Care and Head of Commercial Clinical Trials, alongside Maria Koufali, NIHR’s first Life Sciences Industry Director.

The session showcased real-world examples of how NIHR-funded and supported research has made a difference to people’s lives and the health and care system, while also recognising and celebrating the many individuals who have contributed to NIHR’s success.

Jo Plumb, Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham, said: “A big thank you to all our teams for their amazing efforts at this year’s Research Showcase events. You really brought the world of research to life, making it more visible and accessible for everyone. We have raised the bar significantly this year, which will be hard to beat – but we love a challenge!”

Aston and SWB gynaecologists to investigate the use of weight-loss drugs in treating polycystic ovary syndrome

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Inflammation and chronic disease, Maternal health.

Dr Shagaf Bakour, a gynaecologist and director of medical education at Aston Medical School, has won an NHS research grant to investigate the use of weight-loss drugs in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

The project was co-developed with Dr Hoda Harb, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at fellow BHP member Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB), who was a co-applicant on the funded grant.

PCOS is a common condition affecting up to one in ten women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular periods, make it harder to conceive, and lead to symptoms such as acne or excess hair growth due to higher levels of male hormones (androgens). It is also linked to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes and heart and circulation problems.

A type of medicine called GLP-1 receptor agonists – more commonly known as weight-loss and blood sugar control drugs, such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) – are already widely used. These medicines may also help women with PCOS, who are more likely to experience obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and related heart and circulation problems.

In order to investigate this, Dr Bakour, Dr Harb and a multidisciplinary team from BHP members Aston University and SWBH have been awarded a £60,000 NHS research grant through the SWB NHS Research Fellowship scheme. The scheme supports projects which connect frontline clinicians and academic partners to improve patient care.

Initially, Dr Bakour and the team will review existing evidence of the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for PCOS, to understand what is already known, identify important gaps, and determine which outcomes matter most to women and clinicians.

The next stage will involve securing the necessary governance and ethical approvals and linking fertility services, GP records and weight-management clinics to enable a real-world feasibility study. This will assess how these medicines are working in practice and whether they could lead to better, more consistent care for women living with PCOS.

Dr Bakour said: “The aim is to give women with PCOS evidence-informed, clearer treatment options and more consistent care. The project hopes to show whether these medicines can improve both general health and fertility health, while also helping local services develop clearer care pathways. Currently, care can vary, and women do not always get the same advice or treatment options. The research could lead to earlier support, better long-term health, and more joined-up care for a condition that affects many women but is still often overlooked.

“In the longer term, the work is intended to produce published evidence, support further external funding, and help prevent longer-term health problems linked to PCOS.”

Professor Elizabeth Hughes, director of research and development at SWB, said: “The effects of PCOS, which include infertility, are very emotive subjects and so we are delighted to support Dr Shagaf Bakour and Dr Hoda Harb with their research into possible treatments.

“We should be doing all we can within research and development to advance healthcare for women and to better help future generations with this condition.”