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Author: Louise Stanley

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.”

BHP Clinician scientist explores early nutritional support for emergency abdominal surgery patients

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners, Clinical trials.

A major new UK-wide clinical trial led by BHP Clinician Scientist Matthew Lee will investigate whether early nutritional support can improve recovery and reduce complications in patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.

The trial is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme, and will be one of the first and largest nutritional emergency surgery trials of its kind.

Called TONIC (Timing Of Nutritional Intervention after emergency laparotomy/laparoscopy), the trial will evaluate whether providing early Parenteral Nutrition (PN), or nutritional supplementation delivered directly into the bloodstream, within the first 48 hours after surgery can lead to better outcomes than current standard care.

Each year, approximately 21,000 patients in England and Wales undergo emergency abdominal operations such as laparotomy to treat life‑threatening conditions. Although survival rates have improved over the past decade, national data show that 90‑day mortality has plateaued at around 9.6% since 2021, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to support recovery.

Many patients struggle to eat in the days following major abdominal surgery, putting them at significant risk of malnutrition, which can slow wound healing, increase infection risk, and prolong hospital stay.

Evidence from critical care settings suggests that tailored early nutritional support can reduce complications and improve survival, but there is currently limited research on its benefits specifically for emergency surgical patients. Existing guidelines acknowledge the potential value of early intervention yet stop short of recommending a clear approach for this high‑risk group.

Chief Investigator Mr Matthew Lee, BHP Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at the University of Birmingham, said: “Emergency bowel surgery is one of the highest-risk operations performed in the NHS. Even when the operation itself is successful, many patients struggle to recover because their bodies are under extreme stress and they are unable to eat for several days.

Hospitals currently manage this very differently, with some starting nutritional support early and others waiting. We simply do not know which approach is safest. TONIC is designed to answer that question. By understanding when to provide nutritional support, we hope to reduce complications, help patients recover faster and get home sooner after serious emergency illness.”

TONIC is a multi‑centre, two‑arm, randomised controlled trial involving 25 NHS hospitals across the UK. Neither emergency surgery trials nor nutrition trials in surgery are particularly common, making TONIC the first major trial of its kind.

A total of 898 adult patients undergoing National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA)-eligible urgent or emergency laparotomy or laparoscopy will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups:

  • Early Parenteral Nutrition (Intervention): PN delivered within 48 hours of surgery
  • Standard Care (Control): Usual nutritional management, which may include oral supplements, nasoenteric feeding, or later PN (after 5 days unless clinically required)

The study’s primary outcome is the rate and severity of complications up to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes will assess:

  • Complications at 30 and 90 days
  • Infectious complications such as surgical site infection and pneumonia
  • Function and quality of life
  • Readmission rates
  • Cost‑effectiveness from an NHS and societal perspective
  • Patient‑reported outcomes, including recovery measures and satisfaction

An internal pilot across six sites will run for the first six months to assess feasibility, recruitment rates, intervention delivery, and data completeness before the full trial rollout. The trial will be delivered with the support of the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit.

Emergency abdominal surgery places a considerable burden on patients, families, and healthcare services. By determining whether early nutrition improves outcomes and delivers value for the NHS, TONIC has the potential to reshape national guidelines and enhance recovery pathways for thousands of patients each year.

NIHR funds life-saving treatments and faster diagnosis at BWC

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Clinical trials, Early diagnosis and detection, Experimental medicine.

Funding of £1.5m has been awarded to BHP founder-member Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust – enabling quicker access to life-saving treatments and faster diagnosis of rare and infectious diseases. 

This National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding boost will be used for two crucial initiatives: building a specialised Aseptic Pharmacy Unit for clinical trials, which has been designed to prepare medicines which must be used quickly; and to purchase a Nanopore genetics sequencer. This equipment can read much longer stretches of genetic code than before, which speeds up and improves diagnosis and testing of new treatments.

Professor Jeremy Kirk, Director of Research and Development at the Trust, said: “This is a true game changer in the world of research and will give our patients access to more clinical trials. 

“The Trust is nationally recognised for its contribution to genetics, and collaborative research working with partners across the region and beyond. 

“This funding will allow our teams to enhance current genetic testing (whole genome sequencing) by reading longer sections of the DNA that makes up the genome, moving from so-called short to long-read technologies. This shift will allow detection of genetic variants that would otherwise remain undetected, leading to faster diagnoses and earlier access to targeted treatments for our patients.” 

The equipment will also increase the number of trials delivered in the area in partnership with commercial sponsors such as pharmaceutical companies. 

The Trust is host to the Central and North West Midlands Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC). This consists of a network of hospitals, community and GP sites which are paired with commercial partners to host clinical trials leading to faster set up.  

Jeremy added: “Expanding the number of patients eligible for clinical trials through rapid analysis of their entire genetic code, and improved pharmacy services will also increase our opportunities to collaborate with commercial partners. This includes the development of innovative treatments such as cell and gene therapies including editing for rare diseases and cancers, and the delivery of new, pioneering treatments to those who need them most.” 

Birmingham-led team to tackle national health inequalities in heart disease

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Health inequalities.

BHP founder-member the University of Birmingham is leading one of nine consortia that have been selected to take part in the NIHR Cardiovascular Inequalities Challenge. Developed in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, this £50 million project aims to tackle the huge inequalities that persist across under-served communities in the UK.

The research programme will focus on strengthening the detection and management of high blood pressure and cholesterol – two driving factors for diseases of the heart and circulation – and will be co-created with communities at-risk.

Heart attacks, strokes and other conditions such as vascular dementia are preventable with blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering treatment, yet most people are not diagnosed or treated effectively and continue to suffer these catastrophic events.

Leveraging both existing infrastructure and new technologies, the Challenge aims to address one of the UK’s biggest killers for all people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, social status, disability or culture.

Professor Dipak Kotecha, lead for the team, Professor of Cardiology at the University of Birmingham and researcher at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, said: “Our part of this national collaboration includes a dynamic team of community representatives, public health and primary care clinicians, cardiovascular researchers, local and national government agencies, as well as industry partners and technology companies working together to effect sustainable change and pivot the NHS towards better prevention.”

The University of Birmingham-led consortium includes core partners such as fellow BHP members Aston University, as well as Citizens UK (the UK’s biggest and most diverse people-powered alliances), the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Birmingham City Council. As part of the project, this team will work with the eight other consortia across the UK to bring together a wealth of experience to address health inequality.

Professor Shivani Sharma, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise at Aston University, said: “At Aston, we’re deeply committed to inclusive and participatory research, creating spaces where people can shape both the questions and solutions.

“Through this consortium, we’re proud to bring tried-and-tested approaches that open the door for more people – especially those often ignored in research – to influence how we tackle cardiovascular health gaps. This isn’t about ticking a box. It’s about building engagement that feels accessible, relevant, and genuinely meaningful to communities.”

Dr Saidul Haque Saeed, Lead Organiser, West Midlands at Citizens UK, said: “Our mission at Citizens UK is to bring together everyday people and local organisations to build a better, fairer society. Together, we’re making change on the issues that matter, and we are excited to be a part of this vital project to address inequalities in cardiovascular health and help everyone have access to NHS care.”

Professor Elias Mossialos, Cheng Yu Tung Chair in Global Health and Director of LSE Health at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: ‘We are delighted to contribute to this important consortium. Addressing inequalities in population health requires deep understanding of the social and economic conditions that shape how innovations work in practice.

“Our role will be to provide economic and policy analysis to evaluate the health, social, and economic impact of initiatives and generate evidence that supports sustainable and equitable health systems. This is an important opportunity to bring interdisciplinary expertise together in the service of fairer health outcomes.”

Becky Pollard, Assistant Director of Public Health at Birmingham City Council, said: “Tackling cardiovascular disease is a key priority for us and requires an approach across the city and nation that brings together councils, the NHS, community and voluntary sectors and wider society.”

“In addition to national and collaborative research projects, the NIHR Cardiovascular Inequalities Challenge will support and develop capacity across all stakeholders.

Professor Clare Taylor, Professor of General Practice at the University of Birmingham, said: “Capacity building is essential to realise our ambition to effect disruptive and sustainable change in cardiovascular inequality.”

Working together, the consortium aims to make a distinct difference in the lives of people across the UK who have less access to either existing or new and often life-saving treatments for heart disease. The consortium’s research projects aim to start later this year. The work will synergise with a range of other programmes led by the University of Birmingham and our partners that are already opening up the benefit of clinical research to broader populations. This includes the DaRe2THINK national primary care trial platform, the Cities@Heart Innovative Health Initiative, the West Midlands Secure Data Environment and the Living Lab for HealthTech.

Learn more about BHP’s health inequalities research theme