South London and Maudsley is top mental health Trust for research participation in 2023/24
Welcome to the second issue of the Research Roundup, where we share the latest news in research activity across the Trust.
We are delighted to report that South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is the top mental health Trust in England in 2023/24 for the total number of people participating in research – 6,197 people. We also topped the rankings for the number of studies taking place.
The results were announced in August by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). In the last year, just over one million people across England took part in studies supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN).
If you’d like to take part in mental health research, or know someone who would be interested, then please visit our Take Part in Research webpages, which feature research studies which are currently looking for participants. Since its launch in June 2023, over 21.8k people have visited the webpages, with 1,838 enquiry forms submitted.
Updates from the Research and Development team
Thank you to everyone who celebrated #Red4Research day with us on 20 September
On Friday 20 September we marked #Red4Research day, a national campaign led by the NHS Research and Development Forum and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which shows appreciation for all those involved in making research happen. We hosted stalls in the Maudsley Hospital’s Outpatients waiting room and the Canteen, and spoke to members of the public, staff and service users about research in the Trust, while wearing red!
We were joined by our partners the NIHR Maudsley BRC, the Consent for Contact (C4C) team, and several research projects: Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) and Clozapine in Early Psychosis (CLEAR), who are currently recruiting participants. The Neurocognitive signatures predicting risk of recurrent depression (NESPRED) study invited people to try out a Virtual Reality task which is being used to explore the role of self-blame in depression.
See more photos from the #Red4Research campaign by viewing the hashtag on X (formerly Twitter). Teams across the UK wore red, and buildings were lit up – including the Maudsley Hospital.
Thank you to all those who support healthcare research - from research participants and volunteers to healthcare professionals and researchers.
Results of the Participant in Research Experience Survey show over 90% would take part in research again
The results of the Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) for 2023-24 were very positive, showing that over 90% of those who took part in a study at the Trust would do so again.
Feedback highlighted that research participants felt valued and supported, and they came away with a better understanding of their own mental health, and improved wellbeing. They also felt good about making a difference to future generations and treatments. One respondent said: “The staff were very welcoming, and the tasks were interesting.”
However, the survey showed that some people aren't receiving enough information about their study results, so we will be addressing this in the coming year.
For a more detailed look at the results, you can read our Infographic
Research News
INSIGHT scheme supports research careers for student nurses, midwives and health professionals with funding from NIHR
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded universities across 12 regions in England as part of the new INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme. The three-year funding supports King’s College London to deliver research training and engagement programmes for students and early career professionals. Read more about INSIGHT here.
What research on disordered eating would the neurodivergent community like to see?
Researchers have worked with members of the neurodivergent community to establish what they would like to see prioritised in future research on disordered eating. The researchers, whose study has been published in Lancet Psychiatry, hope that a more collaborative approach to studies in this field has the potential to create a greater understanding of why autistic people and people with ADHD are more vulnerable to disordered eating and how best to aid those who need support. Read the news story here.
Launching the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource
The Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource, jointly led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London, NIHR BioResource and Genomics England, is dedicated to studying health conditions in people from Black communities in the UK. The team is inviting individuals from Black communities to participate in research specifically aimed at improving our understanding of how these communities develop and experience health conditions. Read more about IBHO.
Personal independence payments (PIP) among people who access mental health services
Earlier this year under the Conservative government, a Green paper opened up a consultation on the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - a welfare benefit claimed by many people with mental health and neurodivergent conditions as well as people with physical health conditions.
Researchers from King’s College London investigated how this benefit is received by people who are accessing mental health services and, together with members of a patient and public involvement and engagement group who advise on the project, have written a blog to explain their latest findings.
Tribute to Emeritus Professor Sir David Goldberg (1934 – 2024)
Sir David Goldberg was Professor of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London and Consultant Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. From 1993 to 1999, he was Director of Research & Development and Education at the (then) Institute of Psychiatry (IoP). His research and teaching have been influential in advancing the field of psychiatric epidemiology, improving mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and primary care settings, and training psychiatrists worldwide. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Sir David’s family, colleagues, collaborators and friends. Read the full tribute at the IoPPN here.
In the Media
BBC One: Politics London, 6 October 2024
In a special World Mental Health Day episode, BBC Politics London report on mental health support for Black communities, speaking to Dr Juliana Onwumere, principal investigator on the NIHR BioResource Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) Study and chair of the South London and Maudsley’s Building Race Equity and Diversity (BREaD) in Research Network. Watch it here.
BBC Radio 4: All in the Mind, 8 October 2024
Claudia Hamond talks to Professor Kate Tchanturia from Kings College London, and Fiona Hollings, expert by experience, who helped develop a new approach to treating eating disorders in people with autism. Listen to it here.
The Guardian, 22 September 2024
NHS pilot uses virtual reality to tackle racism and discrimination among staff
A new immersive form of training for NHS staff aims to reduce racialised inequities and discriminatory practice in health and social care services through virtual reality scenarios. The scenarios were based on interviews collected from NHS employees about their experiences of racism at work, as part of the Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES) Study, which is led by academics at King’s College London. TIDES is exploring the links between discrimination and health inequalities in the NHS and training is being developed in collaboration with Maudsley Learning.
BBC News, 15 September 2024
How many of us will end up being diagnosed with ADHD?
Professor Emily Simonoff (Interim Director of the King's Maudsley Partnership) and Professor Katya Rubia (Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, King’s IoPPN) comment on diagnosis rates of ADHD.
Events and Opportunities
· Thursday 10 October 2024, 6 – 8pm | A Life Less Safe: invitation to a special screening at Brixton Ritzy
· 11 October 2024, 8.45am – 6pm | Artificial Intelligence Showcase: AI, Genomics and the Patient Journey | Fetal Medicine Research Institute, London / Online
· 14 - 25 October | EXHIBITION: Challenging Perspectives: A visual exploration of diverse experiences of eating disorder recovery | Somerset House East Wing, Strand Campus, London
· Thursday 24 October, 11am – 2pm | Research Roadshow – First Floor of Marina House, 63-65 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RZ | All welcome, just drop-in
· Thursday 31 October, 2-3pm | Research Club: Carrying Out Lived Experience Research as Peer Researchers | Online
· Thursday 7 Nov, 1-5pm | Workshop to Understanding our organisational readiness to achieve the Chief Nurse’s Research Strategic Plan for Research – open to Nursing staff in South London and Maudsley – email ashleigh.osuoha@slam.nhs.uk to attend.
Opportunity: King’s PhD Programme in Mental Health Research for Health Professionals
The programme is available to a wide range of health professionals (including but not limited to doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, psychologists, allied healthcare professionals) across a diverse range of topics relevant to mental health science.
Funding
· Three years salary (FT) matching current NHS pay grade as appropriate
· University fees paid in full
Recruitment Webinars:
· Recruitment Webinar for 2025-26 Entry, Wednesday 2 October, 16:00-17:00 (GMT)
· Webinar for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHP), Wednesday 16 October, 12:00-13:00 (GMT)
Please register for the webinars by completing this form. The webinars will take place via MS Teams and the joining links will be sent to all attendees on the morning of the webinars.
Please note that the applications close at 13:00 (GMT) on Monday 18 November 2024.
