News & Events from 2024
Lifetime Achievement Award for Professor Solomon Tesfaye
Professor Solomon Tesfaye, a Consultant Physician/Diabetologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Professor of Diabetic Medicine at the University of Sheffield, has been presented with an international Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding diabetes research spanning several decades.
The award was given to him at the 34th NeuroDiab annual meeting and celebrates his significant achievements in advancing understanding of diabetic neuropathy, a major complication of diabetes.
Professor Tesfaye is the first person from the UK to win the prestigious accolade since 2008 when it was awarded to his role model and mentor Professor John Ward, who developed diabetes services in Sheffield.
Diabetic nerve damage is a painful but often forgotten complication of diabetes that causes numbness and an inability to perceive pain. Up to half can be affected by the serious condition, which puts them at risk of infection, inadvertent injuries, and amputations.
A pioneer in his field, Professor Tesfaye’s work has led to the advancement of new treatments and improved lives in the UK and beyond. Advised by Professor Ward to focus on one or two studies that have impact, in the 1990s he was the first to show what blood flow in the sural nerve (a purely sensory nerve in the back of the lower leg) looks like, demonstrating that it was impaired in those with diabetes-related nerve pain. His description is now used in textbooks across the world
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' website.
(September 2024)
Red4Research 2024 - Friday 20 September 2024
#Red4Research Day on Friday 20 September 2024 aims to get as many people as possible wearing red to demonstrate their support and appreciation for all those participating, undertaking and supporting research. It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the phenomenal work, learning legacy and innovative treatments/systems/techniques that have arisen from research.
#Red4Research brings together all those participating, supporting, and undertaking research. On the front line and behind the scenes incredible research teams collectively work on health and social care research. The research community is innovative, flexible and dynamic. Research doesn’t just happen though, people make it happen – research participants, patients, professionals, volunteers and regulatory bodies all collectively working together.
On behalf of everyone at NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility, we would like to say a big 'THANK YOU' to everyone involved in research.
You can read more about Red4Research on the Research and Development Forum website.
(September 2024)
Double award nomination for pioneering trial tracker matching patients into vital health and care research
A pioneering trial tracker developed by research nurses and computer scientists at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to rapidly assess if patients are suitable to join research studies has received two nominations in this week’s HSJ Digital Awards.
The technology, which uses bespoke algorithms to automatically match information about a patient’s condition to research studies that they could join, is a nominee in the Improving Back-Office Efficiencies through Digital and Driving Change through AI and Automation categories.
The tool was developed with the support of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, and is now being expanded to other clinical areas within Sheffield’s five adult hospitals and community services.
Research nurses are already using the tool with patients who have had a stroke.
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospital's Website
(September 2024)
HealthTech Research Centre Network
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been chosen to host a new Government-funded national HealthTech Research Centre Network which will support the development of technologies and innovations to support care for conditions including cancer, mental health, neurodegeneration and dementia, ageing, respiratory disease and cardiovascular conditions.
The Network, known as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) HealthTech Research Centre Network, will identify and influence national health technology priorities to advance technological healthcare innovation across the UK.
It will also give national leadership and coordination to 14 newly established NIHR HealthTech Research Centres (HRCs) from 1 September 2024. The new NIHR HRCs, which are based in leading NHS organisations across the country, came into force on 1 April 2024 and were awarded almost £42m to drive life-changing research into health and care technologies for the next five years.
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospital's Website
(May 2024)
University of Sheffield professor awarded two prestigious fellowships
A University of Sheffield professor from the School of Medicine and Population Health has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Jim Wild, Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics, was elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of his contribution to biomedical and health research in imaging.
He is one of 58 biomedical and health scientists elected to the Academy this year.
For more information please visit the University of Sheffield News Page
(May 2024)
Mobilise-D Study - 26 years' worth of mobility data collection in Sheffield!
The Mobilise-D team in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust completed their last patient, last visit on the 23rd April 2024. The Sheffield team hit a milestone with 300 MS patients recruited. Sheffield are also the top recruiting site with over 1400 patient assessments in the CRF accumlating 26 years world of real world mobility data!
Mobilise-D, funded by EU-Horizon, is the largest study of free world walking ever conducted. In Sheffield, the study took place in the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and was supported by the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Facility (BRC).
For more information please visit the NIHR Sheffield BRC News Page
(May 2024)
NIHR Sheffield BRC & CRF Showcase Event 2024
We had a fantastic day at the BRC & CRF Showcase Event on 10 May 2024 at The Edge, Sheffield. There were insightful talks, engaging presentations, and vibrant posters which showcased the depth and breadth of the research taking place across Sheffield.
We hope to be able to share photos from the event soon – keep an eye out on our website for more information!
Highlights from the day:
Over 160 attendees
Introductory talks from our directors and theme leads
7 selected abstract presentations
13 flash talks
Over 40 poster presentations
Plenary lecture from Professor Ian Bruce
(May 2024)
NIHR Sheffield BRC Research Internship Programme 2024 Launched For Healthcare Professionals Across Sheffield
The NIHR Sheffield BRC is proud to support two, 12-month internships for aspiring research leaders across our collaboration as part of the wider Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Scheme.
Traditionally there have been limited opportunities for health professionals and research delivery staff outside of medicine and dentistry to become more research active, either by engaging with, supporting or conducting research. We are therefore inviting expressions of interest from budding researchers to take part in the BRC stream of the research internship programme. Successful candidates will be released one day a week for one year and funding will be provided for backfill their usual role.
For more information visit the NIHR Sheffield BRC Website
(April 2024)
Administration Professionals Day - 24 April 2024
What an incredible year it’s been!
On behalf of us all in the CRF we would like to mark the occasion by saying an enormous thank you to our fantastic administrative team. As we celebrate World Administrative Day today, we want to give a huge shout out to our Reception, Administrative Assistant, Data Coordinator, PA, and Operations Teams.
You have supported, with passion, perseverance and enthusiasm, the activities of an extremely extra-ordinary year, and we could not have achieved the successes we have without you.
(April 2024)
Professor Solomon Tesfaye achieves prestigious NIHR Senior Investigator award for leading diabetes research
Professor Solomon Tesfaye, whose research has played a key role in improving treatment and understanding of diabetic nerve damage, one of the major complications of diabetes, has been recognised with a prestigious National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator award.
Professor Solomon Tesfaye, Consultant Physician/Diabetologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was given the award in the latest round of appointments made by the NIHR.
NIHR Senior Investigators are among the most prominent researchers funded by the NIHR, the UK’s largest funder of health and care research.
The award is presented to outstanding leaders whose research has the potential to improve the future health of the nation, contribute to national growth and can develop the next generation of future health and care researcher
For more information please visit the news page of Sheffield Teaching Hospital's News Page
(April 2024)
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals neuromuscular team hailed as Centre of Excellence
The Sheffield neuromuscular team were praised for providing outstanding care, promoting best practice locally and nationally, and demonstrating their commitment to improving health and wellbeing for people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
In total 24 neuromuscular centres across the UK, including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, have been designated as a Centre of Clinical Excellence by Muscular Dystrophy UK. This is the second consecutive time the team have won the prestigious national accolade.
The Sheffield Neuromuscular Centre cares for patients from across the region and beyond, including South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire, and is run by a specialist team.
This specialist team consists of consultants, nurses, specialist physiotherapists, care advisors, speech and language therapists, and related specialist services such as respiratory, cardiology, orthopaedic, gastroenterology, metabolic bone medicine, interventional neuro radiology and neurosurgical team, orthotics and wheelchairs and seating care are several to mention.
For more information please visit the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals News Page
(March 2024)
NIHR Sheffield BRC & CRF Showcase - 10 May 2024
Join us at The Edge on Friday May 10, 2024 for an exciting in-person event!
The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Clinical Research Facility (CRF) are proud to present their joint showcase event, highlighting the latest in medical research and clinical trials happening across Sheffield.
Discover cutting-edge projects, network with interdisciplinary researchers, and foster new connections for knowledge sharing and future collaborations.
Whether you've been part of our infrastructures for a while, just starting out, or keen to find out more and get involved, we look forward to welcoming you!
(March 2024)
The Stroke Trial Tracker Shortlisted for Two 2024 HSJ Digital Awards
The Stroke Trial Tracker, developed by the stroke research team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted for 'Improving Back-Office Efficiencies through Digital' and 'Driving Change through AI and Automation' Awards at the 2024 HSJ Digital Awards, recognising innovative digital projects transforming care delivery, enhance efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.
343 entries have been received for this year’s Digital Awards, with 165 projects and individuals meriting inclusion on the final shortlist. The high volume - and exceptional quality – of applications once again mirrors the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed across the UK’s healthcare system.
Following the thorough judging process, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on 6 June 2024, with its Stroke Trial Tracker standing out as a real ‘success story’ worthy of a prized place on the panel’s shortlist.
For more information visits the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
(March 2024)
£2m Electrical Earpiece Trial For Stroke Patients
A new treatment for stroke patients which is being tested in a clinical trial in a bid to improve arm recovery following a stroke is due to be featured on BBC Look North tonight (18 January 2024).
The new trial, known as TRICEPS, will use an innovative nerve stimulation therapy which will be delivered to stroke survivors via a portable, pacemaker-like device without the need for surgical implants.
More than 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year.
About a third of survivors are left with permanent arm weakness, limiting their ability to carry out everyday activities.
You can read more about the Sheffield: £2m electrical earpiece trial for stroke patients on the BBC News page or catch the story on BBC Look North (airs 6.30pm) this evening.
(January 2024)
