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6th March 2025

Celebrating the best of Welsh research this St David’s Day

This St David’s Day we are celebrating some of the life-changing health and social care research happening in Wales, led by our funded research centres and NHS organisations to drive health and social care improvements and make a difference to people’s lives.

From cutting edge cancer studies to advancing research into women’s health, below are some of the many examples of research that we have contributed to.

How innovative cancer research is saving lives

  • Lesley Jenkins, diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer, became the first person in Wales to participate in a groundbreaking study led by Velindre Cancer Centre and BioNTech, supported by Health and Care Research Wales.

    The investigational vaccines use mRNA technology, which use samples from a patient’s tumour, removed during surgery, alongside sequencing to effectively vaccinate the patient against their own specific cancer.

  • Another groundbreaking study hosted in Wales, ELIPSE (Evaluation of Lymphadenectomy In High Risk Prostate Cancer Surgery), aims to improve care for high-risk prostate cancer patients by comparing two types of surgery and evaluating their outcomes.

    Researchers are studying procedures for prostate and lymph node removal versus prostate removal alone, in a bid to develop an evidence base to guide patients, families and clinicians on the best approach.

Promoting mental wellbeing

  • The VR-Melody study, led by Dr Kim Smallman at the Centre for Trials Research, is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and music can improve engagement with therapeutic content to reduce anxiety and enhance mental resilience in adults.

    The team aims to co-create innovative solutions to alleviate anxiety and improve resilience, while also examining how these therapies can be scaled and deployed effectively.

  • Dr Sara Bradley, Senior Fellow at the Wales School for Social Prescribing Research (WSSPR), has partnered with NHS Highland on a project to promote mental wellbeing through nature engagement with high school students. The “Healthy Young Minds” programme aims to reduce anxiety, increase resilience and improve mental health in students from five rural secondary schools in the Scottish Highlands.

    Through co-produced workshops, students will help design a nature-based intervention, boosting self-confidence and ownership, with the goal of developing a trial framework for a future pilot.

Collaborative social care approaches to safeguarding vulnerable groups

  • A study led by Dr Nina Maxwell at the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) highlights the need for a coordinated, multi-agency approach to combat County Lines criminal exploitation.

    The research stresses the importance of collaboration between schools, social services, healthcare providers, and law enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals, especially children and those with mental health or addiction issues.

  • The UK’s largest anti-bullying trial, managed by the Centre for Trials Research, tested the Finnish KiVa programme in over 100 primary schools across England and Wales.

    The trial showed a 13% reduction in bullying incidents, proving effective across various school types. The KiVa programme teaches children to recognise and respond to bullying, promoting empathy and improving peer relationships. It has shown significant success in reducing bullying, with potential long-term benefits for students’ mental health.

    Enhancing children’s health and safety

  • Dr Verity Bennett, a Research Associate at CASCADE and member of the Health and Care Research Wales Faculty, is using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve investigations into children’s injuries.

    Her research aims to identify physical abuse more accurately and earlier by applying AI to analyse bruise patterns and using computer vision. Dr Bennett hopes to address gaps in current methods, potentially revolutionising how professionals assess injuries and intervene to protect vulnerable children and families.

  • Researchers at the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research (PRIME Centre Wales) found that the National Paediatric Early Warning Score (National PEWS), used in hospitals, is unsuitable for general practice.

    Dr Kathryn Hughes highlighted the need for a tool specifically designed for general practice. The study, which analysed data from over 6,700 children, emphasises the importance of validating clinical tools for use in general practice settings.

Advancing women’s health: severe period pain and waterbirth safety

  • The SPPINN study (Severe Period Pain Is Not Normal), led by Dr Robyn Jackowich at Cardiff University, aims to explore the impact of severe period pain (SPP) which affects up to 29% of individuals and interferes with their daily life and social activities.

    The study will examine its effects across various communities and age groups in Wales, with the goal of producing recommendations to improve education and care for those experiencing SPP.

  • Professor Julia Sanders, our Specialty Lead for Reproductive Health has led the POOL study, the largest global investigation into the safety of waterbirths. Examining 73,229 births across 26 NHS sites, the study found no increased risk of complications for women or babies using water immersion during labour.

    The research, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG), has been awarded the Excellence in Midwifery for Research by the Royal College of Midwives, and its findings are set to inform future guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on waterbirths.

Shaping the future of NHS dental care in Wales

  • A research study by the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre has identified six key priorities for improving NHS dental care in Wales, based on public feedback.

    The study findings highlight the Welsh public’s demand for easier access, affordability, inclusive services, good communication, appropriate care from the right professionals and support for self-management. The findings will inform the Welsh Government’s General Dental Services Reform Programme, aiming to provide high-quality dental care that meets the needs of the population.

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