Piothe magnazine of thee Hull Yoerk Medicr al School ISSue 6 | AuTuMN 2011

Bone detectives opens the new Palaeo Centre notes from the Dean

In pursuit of excellence I am delighted to be while also developing bids for University able to tell you that of 50th anniversary chairs. Our we have recently neuroscience appointments build on appointed Dr David partnerships with the York Neuroimaging Pearson as our new Centre, the Centre for Hyperpolarisation Deputy Dean in MRI, and colleagues in psychology, (Education), joining neurology and neurosurgery in York and us in February from Hull. Our mental health, primary care, Leeds where he has epidemiology and trials appointments led on primary care based undergraduate build on partnerships with mental health, medical education. David has plans to public health, and primary care colleagues refresh the curriculum and forge new across the region. partnerships with a wider range of So we are pursuing excellence and stakeholders including local authorities, teaching our students in a cutting edge industry, and new healthcare providers, research environment. We are also while addressing issues of inequalities and developing the next generation of clinical sustainability in health care. academics, providing a range of research Cover: HYMS Honorary Fellow, The first priority of HYMS is to ensure based student selected components, the television presenter and writer the highest standards of undergraduate intercalated degrees, academic foundation Alice Roberts at the PALAEO medical education but, like other schools, posts, academic clinical fellowships, and launch. we also aim for excellence in postgraduate clinical lectureships. Our students are Photo by Ian Martindale education and research. So I am also responding and achieving the highest delighted to report that our first Master’s standards. At the recent HYMS prize- programme, in Human Evolution, has giving evening in Hull we awarded prizes been approved, and our research to 23 students in 19 categories across all Design and text © 2011 Hull York programmes continue to expand, five years of the curriculum, and our 4th . Images © 2011 supported by significant new funding and 5th year students triumphed at the Hull York Medical School and from the National Institute for Health recent Yorkshire School of Paediatrics individual contributors. For Research, Wellcome Trust, British Heart Annual Meeting in Sheffield, winning editorial or queries, contact [email protected] or Foundation, BBSRC and Yorkshire Cancer both the best student platform [email protected] . Research. presentation and best poster presentation. We are busy recruiting new senior I’d like to take this opportunity to academics at the moment, including two wish you all the best for Christmas and new professors (in neuroscience and the New Year. Hull York Medical School mental health), three senior lecturers (in epidemiology, clinical trials, and primary Tony Kendrick , HU6 7RX care) and a lecturer in neuroimaging, , YO10 5DD

0870 1245500

www.hyms.ac.uk

[email protected]

Student Fatima Ahsan Congratulations to Dr Dr Francisco Rivero was a runner-up in the Jean McKendree who has who, in collaboration with Higher Education been appointed Associate the UCL Ear Institute, has Academy Subject Centre Dean for Assessment been awarded £4,300 by for Medicine, Dentistry following the departure of Deafness Research UK to and Veterinary Medicine Dr Gay Fagan, Head of undertake a piece of Student Essay Assessment, earlier in the research analysing Competition. year. auditory function. Autumn 2011

 In this issue

4 11 12

4 Researching our origins and Sheffield medical schools at the Pioneer A HYMS Honorary Fellow, the Yorkshire School of Paediatrics television presenter and writer Alice Annual Meeting in Sheffield. Roberts speaks at the inaugural conference of PALAEO. 11 Student prizes Professor Maggie Pearson was the 7 Scarborough celebrates guest speaker at a prize-giving The HYMS Student Liaison team in ceremony for HYMS students and Scarborough recently held an event their guests at the University of Hull. to celebrate the first five years of the 15 Alumni news medical school at Scarborough 12 Celebrating innovation Hospital. The 6th HYMS Educational The back pages of Pioneer are dedicated Conference took place at Bishop to our alumni, providing updates and 7 Age affects brain Burton Agricultural College with the news from HYMS and both parent Research by biologists at HYMS and theme of “Celebrating the innovation universities the University of York has revealed and good practice at HYMS”. important new information about the way the brain is affected by age. 13 Stroke risk An international study led by the 8 £530,000 autism grant Hull York Medical School has found A £530,000 grant has been awarded to that the use of popular non-steroidal Dr Barry Wright and his team to anti-inflammatory drugs can increase investigate whether Social Stories can the risk of heart attack or stroke by a improve the behaviour of children third. and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in mainstream 14 Sharing research schools. The inaugural HYMS Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on 10 Paediatric triumph Friday 1 June 2012 in the Presentation HYMS 4th and 5th year students Theatre and Atrium in The Ron Cooke triumphed over students from Leeds Hub, University of York. cover story Researching our origins ALAeO, the Centre for Human Palaeoecology and Pevolutionary Origins, a collaborative venture between eight university of York departments, had its inaugural conference on 18 October in the Berrick Saul Building on the York campus. Some of the most important discoveries about human evolution have been made in medical schools, so with the official launch of the interdisciplinary PALAEO Centre, members of the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences at HYMS are following a long and distinguished tradition of coupling anatomy teaching with research into our ancient ancestors. Speaking to a packed Bowland Auditorium that included academics, students and members of the public, HYMS anatomy professor Paul O’Higgins joined other high profile human origins researchers to showcase work in PALAEO. Paul’s talk focused on how high- tech imaging methods can be used to reveal the diets of extinct members of the human family tree. This research, developed at HYMS and the Centre for Medical Engineering and Technology at the University of Hull over the past eight years, applies methods taken from engineering to examine how feeding influences stresses and strains in the bones of the skull. These studies are done on CT scans, an imaging method well known to medics. What is unusual about the scans used by Paul and his group is that they are of fossils rather than living people. By simulating the stresses and strains on fossil skulls, it is possible to link the different skull shapes seen in human e l a d n i t r a LEFT: Prof Paul O’Higgins with Alice M

n Roberts at the PALAEO conference a I

: o t o h

P  5 cover story

Researchers from HYMS and the University of Hull have played a key role in an international project to find out more about when our earliest ancestors arrived in Europe.

The research focuses on a fragment of jawbone found in Kent's Cavern near Torquay in Devon in 1927. The bone was originally dated in Oxford in 1989 and was thought to be about 35,000 years old.

But in 2006, doubt was cast on the dating when it was established that modern glue had been used to conserve the bone after its discovery. Dr Flora Gröning, then a PhD student, and her supervisor, Paul O’Higgins, Professor of Anatomy at HYMS, worked with Michael Fagan, Professor of Medical and Biological Engineering, at the University of Hull, to produce a microCT Scan of the fragment.

The scan confirmed that the fragment had been assembled incorrectly, and enabled researchers to construct an accurate 3D model of the jawbone. This work enabled the team, led by the University of Oxford and the Natural History Museum, in London, to prove that the bone is significantly older than first thought – pushing back the arrival of modern humans into northwest Europe by between 10,000 and 13,000 years.

ancestors with the consumption of talks or discussion at the inaugural had to spray her with water to tough, hard or soft foods. conference. simulate sweating. Showing the breadth of PALAEO, HYMS Honorary Fellow, the A qualified doctor and anatomy Paul’s talk was followed by Oliver television presenter and writer Alice teacher herself, Alice provided many Craig from the Department of Roberts, concluded the PALAEO good examples in her talk of how Archaeology who showed how food launch with an evening lecture on medical knowledge helps to residues on pottery thousands of years ‘Origins of Us’, the topic of her recent understand the evolution of humans old can provide direct evidence of BBC Two series, which aired in and our closest relatives. what humans living at and before the October to nearly two million viewers. As someone who also has a PhD in dawn of farming ate. In her talk, Alice described how palaeopathology, the branch of Research into the origins and hairless, sweaty humans are well archaeology that focuses on disease in evolution of human diets is one of five suited to running long distances, even the past, she also perfectly exemplifies themes within PALAEO. in hot environments. how anatomists can work alongside The others, palaeoecology and She also revealed some of the researchers in many other disciplines biodiversity, health and disease in secrets of television, including how, to reconstruct our origins. human evolution, palaeo-landscape while being filmed running across the and climate change, and origins of the African savannah, a BBC researcher Sarah elton, Reader in Anatomy human mind, were also the subject of

PALAEO helps researchers to share ideas

PALAEO was conceived in 2006 as a collaboration between HYMS and the Departments of Archaeology and Biology at the University of York to train PhD students and early career researchers, funded by the European Union Marie Curie scheme. It has now grown to include five other York departments - Chemistry, Environment, History, Sociology and Psychology. Membership of PALAEO allows researchers such as Terry O’Connor, Archaeology, and Sarah Elton, HYMS (both pictured right) to share research ideas, collaboratively teach undergraduate and postgraduate students and co-supervise PhD students. 6 news

In brief  Scarborough celebrates  HYMS Dean Professor Tony The HYMS Student Kendrick gave his inaugural lecture “Down at the Doctor’s – Liaison team in How should GPs and their Scarborough recently teams help people with mental held an event to health problems?” at Middleton celebrate the first five Hall, the University of Hull, in November. years of the medical school at Scarborough  Congratulations to Business Hospital. Systems Project Lead Dan A welcoming speech Parker who won this year’s was given by Dean of HYMS Christmas card competition with this picture of HYMS Tony Kendrick, Warkworth bridge, in with talks about Primary Northumberland. and Secondary Care from HYMS Directors of Clinical Study Mr Mark Laws and Dr Phil Perry. HYMS Clinical Skills Facilitator Joanne Whitehead helps a visitor try Visitors had the out some teaching equipment at the recent HYMS five-year opportunity to look celebration open event at Scarborough Hospital round teaching facilities sessions, OSCEs Scarborough Hospital’s  A visit to a brothel by a at the hospital and have (objective structured Health Education 3rd year medical student on a a go at some of the clinical examinations) Centre, was clinical placement has sparked a activities which and delivering a baby. coordinated by HYMS BMA drive to stop human contribute to the The evening event, Scarborough Student trafficking and improve health services for sex workers. You students’ experience, which took place at Liaison Manager Ellie could have heard a pin drop at including clinical skills Tomlinson. the BMA’s 2010 ARM (Annual Representative Meeting) in Brighton when Elizabeth Lee, now a 4th year student at HYMS, How brain is affected by age Farewell Jane described her experience of accompanying a drug centre community nurse on a visit to a Research by biologists at HYMS and the HYMS said farewell to one brothel. University of York has revealed important new of its founder members of information about the way the brain is affected staff, Dr Jane Adam, at a  Dr David Pearson, Director of by age. dinner held in Bedern Hall, Primary Care Education at Leeds Working with scientists at the Peninsula University Medical School, is the York, to mark her new Deputy Dean (Education) at College of Medicine and Dentistry in retirement. HYMS. He will begin in the New Plymouth, they have studied responses to Jane, who has been Year. He takes over from stress in synapses – neuronal connections. Associate Dean for Professor David Blaney who left The researchers discovered that under the post of Dean of the HYMS Admissions for nine years, Undergraduate School in August. stressful conditions, such as neuro- spoke of her life at HYMS degeneration, resulting high energy forms of and her hopes for its future.  Senior members of HYMS staff damaging oxygen cause synapses to grow She said HYMS is special attended a special lunch to excessively, potentially contributing to because it is a patient- thank Professor Ian Morris for dysfunction. Such stresses occur during neuro- the work he has done during his centred medical school role as HYMS Associate Dean of degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s and where people take trouble Research. Professor Paul Kaye Parkinson’s Disease. over their colleagues and has taken over as Associate The research, which was funded by the the students. Dean for Research but Professor Medical Research Council and the Morris will continue his Jane joined HYMS in lecturing work for HYMS on a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences November 2002. At that part-time basis. Research Council, is published in the latest time there was only a small issue of the Proceedings of the National number of staff including  Congratulations to Year 2 Academy of Sciences. Giles Davidson, Sue HYMS student Anne Wisdom from Lerwick who took part in Co-author Dr Sean Sweeney, of the Hubbard, Caroline the London Marathon to raise Department of Biology, said: "The findings Simpson, Bill Gillespie and money for the Anthony Nolan have strong implications for neuronal function John Cookson. Trust. as brains age.” research

 £530,000 grant for autism study ... A £530,000 grant has been awarded to Dr Barry Wright and his team to investigate whether Social Stories can improve the behaviour of children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in mainstream schools. Awarded by the NIHR Health Technologies Assessment Programme, the Lime Trees Research Team will study how best to develop and use Social Stories. Created by Carol Gray in 2000, Social Stories are simple, short stories, usually with the child in the starring role, often with helpful photographs, illustrations and a theme relating to a particular social difficulty or life-skill problem. They include positively written instructions on the social behaviour and demonstrate the helpful consequences that may follow. Over a period of time the child reads the story with a parent or teacher on many occasions. With understanding and repetition, the preferred behaviour may be adopted, a new skill acquired, or some complex anxieties alleviated. children benefit most and which assigned into either group one or Social Stories are already used formats for the story work best. group two. extensively in special schools, but far The findings of this group will be Social Stories is an experimental less so in mainstream schools. There fed into an "expert writing group" intervention which is not routinely has been little research to date on how which will put together the 'ideal' offered in the NHS. If Social Stories best to develop one and on their social story writing toolkit. are shown to be successful, they will effectiveness. "In stage three we will test the make a big impact in behavioural The first stage of the research will toolkit in practice to see if it can difficulties in children with ASD. be a systematic review of all current reduce challenging behaviour," The research team is: Barry Wright, research on Social Stories. explained Dr Wright, HYMS Honorary Simon Gilbody, Dean McMillan, Joy The second stage will discuss the Senior Lecturer and Consultant Child Adamson, Richard Mills, Christine findings of stage one in a focus group Psychiatrist. Williams, Jo Whitehead, Victoria made up of children, teachers, and "Children between 4-16 years old Allgar, Anne McLaren, Julie Glanville, parents. from 14 schools in the York area will Danielle Moore, Elizabeth Littlewood, The group will look at common be recruited into the study and will be Steve Griggs, Shehzad Ali, Anastasia problem scenarios, which types of Kokina, Carol Gray. ... and another £238,000 for attachment disorder research A further grant of £238,000 has also been awarded to Dr Disorganised attachment style has been considered a Barry Wright and his team to carry out a comprehensive major risk factor for child psychopathology. NICE systematic review of literature to improve knowledge Guidelines on conduct disorder (2006) recommend that and understanding for families with young children parents of children with this disorder should be provided showing severe attachment problems. with parent training and/or education programmes. Attachment disorder is a broad term intended to However, there is no programme specified. This study describe disorders of mood, behaviour and social will examine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of relationships arising from a failure to form normal early parenting interventions for parents whose children attachments in early childhood. show signs of severe attachment problems.

8 research embryo at York study will track health of children and adults risk from An exciting new research project is being launched by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to track the health and wellbeing of children and maternal fat adults. The project christened BABY – Born and Bred in Yorkshire – is a partnership A joint study by Dr Roger Sturmey of between midwives and doctors at York Hospital and researchers at HYMS and HYMS and researchers in Antwerp and in the Department of Health Sciences, University of York. Madrid has found that maternal fat has a negative impact on embryo “This study demonstrates what can happen when the University, the NHS and development. the people of York work together,” said Principal Investigator Professor Simon Exposing eggs to high levels of Gilbody, of HYMS and the University of York. saturated fatty acids – as commonly found in the ovaries of obese women “It will follow a large group of babies and their parents from pregnancy and those with Type II diabetes – onwards – the hospital began recruiting expectant parents in the summer and compromises the development of the the first babies in the study are due to be born at Christmas.” embryo, according to new research published in PLoS ONE. The study aims to find out as much as possible about the health and wellbeing The study – by researchers from of babies born in and around York, and their parents, during pregnancy, labour Antwerp, Hull, and Madrid – found and after birth, as well as at intervals in the future. that embryos resulting from cattle eggs exposed to high levels of fatty acids BABY will also help the NHS and health researchers to investigate the health had fewer cells, altered gene expression and wellbeing of children and adults in future, by building the necessary and altered metabolic activity, all infrastructure now. Data will be collected on clinical outcomes including both indicators of reduced viability. mental and physical health and infant and child health and wellbeing. Although the work was carried out using eggs from cows, the findings Professor Gilbody said: “This is a very important development for the people of could help to explain why women York. Only by recruiting large numbers of mothers and infants can we begin to suffering from metabolic disorders like learn about what keeps people healthy, and what causes important childhood obesity and diabetes struggle to and adult diseases. conceive. Lead researcher Professor Jo Leroy, “We aim to study physical and psychological from the University of Antwerp, said: wellbeing over a very long period of time. This “In cows we can induce very similar study demonstrates what can happen when the metabolic disorders leading to reduced University, the NHS and the people of York fertility in these animals and work together.” compromised egg quality in particular. This is one of the reasons that bovine Women whose babies are due to be born in eggs are a very interesting model for York and the surrounding area during the human reproductive research.” next 12 months are invited to take part. It is Co-researcher Dr Roger Sturmey, likely to cover up to 3,500 mothers and babies. from HYMS and the University of Hull, said: “Our findings add further weight Elizabeth Ross, maternity matron, at to the public health recommendations York Teaching Hospital, said: “The which emphasise the importance of midwives in York are very supportive of women being a healthy weight before the study and are encouraging all starting a pregnancy.” pregnant women to join in.” The researchers are now applying for further funding to take their Dr Guy Millman, Consultant findings into a clinical setting and to Paediatrician based at York investigate whether exposing eggs Teaching Hospital, said: “The to high levels of fatty acids can also BABY study is an exciting lead to post natal effects. collaboration between the academic and health communities in York and the surrounding area.” student life

Above left: Louise Mellish (far left) with other speakers at the recent 2011 Annual British Society of Haematology conference. Above: Deirdre Walsh receives her prize at the ICHAMS conference from Dr Sarah O’Neill, Chair of Scientific Committee and Biomedical Research Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons

Students triumph at Deirdre’s success

Fifth year HYMS student Deirdre paediatric meeting Walsh attended The International HYMS 4th and 5th year students Matthew Buck, Hannah Wilson Conference for Healthcare and triumphed over students from Leeds and Irene Hadjionnou, Year 4, won Medical Students (ICHAMS) in and Sheffield medical schools at the best poster for their SSC in a primary Dublin and received first prize for Yorkshire School of Paediatrics Annual school in East Yorkshire, teaching the overall oral presentation Meeting in Sheffield. basic science to children. category. This meeting was open to all Two other students (both Year 5), “It was a lovely surprise and consultants and junior staff from Sandra Jost and Greg Chambers, also great to get HYMS known around Yorkshire and the Humber and had excellent posters at the meeting. internationally as there were HYMS was asked to nominate In addition, Katy Rutter (Year 5) has students from all over the world,” students to attend and a few to been nominated by Guy Millman and she said. present. one of our ACFs (Lauren Young) to “Overall, there were 160 Naomi Chinn, Year 5, won best represent HYMS at the RCPCH delegates from 48 different student platform presentation with a Annual Meeting in Glasgow next countries around the world. 53 talk on neonatal abdominal wall May. She submitted a summary of students performed an oral defects from an SSC in Hull paediatric her excellent work in paediatric SSCs presentation whilst approximately surgery. and her original research article in 40 students presented their adolescent self harm. research on a poster. “The conference provided a Louise, Adam and Catherine raise profile of HYMS fantastic opportunity to meet Congratulations to three HYMS students who presented their research medical students from other at national and international conferences: countries, to exchange knowledge Year 5 student Louise Mellish (pictured above) gave an oral presentation at and share exciting new the 2011 Annual British Society of Haematology conference in Brighton. developments in medical Adam Jakes, currently studying for an intercalated MSc before starting his research.” final year at HYMS, gave an oral presentation and a poster presentation on his Following the success of the research about using saliva to diagnose ovulation using a microfluidic chip (or first conference, the committee lab-on-a-chip) at the 6th International Conference on Microtechnologies in announced that the ICHAMS Medicine and Biology in Switzerland. conference would become an Finally, Year 3 student Catherine Shutt presented a poster entitled “Made annual event. to measure: middle-aged male health and weight management” at the “I highly recommend future National Academic Medicine Conference at Newcastle University. Catherine’s ICHAMS conferences to budding research was conducted in collaboration with The University of Leeds, Fit HYMS researchers,” she added. Fans weight management programme. 10 student life

Above: Maggie Pearson and Tony Kendrick congratulate Craig Gouldthorpe, Simon Hawkins and Grace Duffy on their HYMS prizes Students honoured in prize-giving evening Professor Maggie Pearson was the student in the 2nd year of the MB BS programme who has made the greatest advancement in terms of academic guest speaker at a prize-giving studies: Priya Koshy . ceremony for HYMS students and Associate Dean for Students Jonathan Bennett handed out the Bob Morton Prize, named after one of the founding their guests at the university of students of HYMS who died tragically before he was able to Hull. complete his course, to the student with the best overall grades in humanities SSCs throughout both Phases I and II: Professor Pearson, who is Academic and Training Daniel Ward . Programme Director of the Department of Health's Ian Morris, Chair of Pharmacology and Physiology, Modernising Scientific Careers Programme, spoke about presented the prize for Pharmacology in the curriculum. It “Rising to the Challenge of Health in the 21st Century”. is given to the student passing their second year with the Her speech was preceded by a buffet in the Lindsey highest accumulated score from three components. This Suite, Staff House. Associate Dean for Admissions Janine year’s winner was Joanna Myers . Henderson presented the Jagdish Raut award for the

l Intercalating student with the best performance in BSc (Hons) Medical Science (Biology): David Kelsey l Best Performance in Year 1 Theme Cluster A: Craig Gouldthorpe l Best Performance in Year 1 Theme Cluster B: Simon Hawkins l Best Performance in Year 1 Theme Cluster C: Grace Duffy l Best Performance in Year 11 SSC: edward Miller and Joshua Shaw l Best Overall Academic Performance in Year 1: Ruth Brand l Best Performance in Year 2 Theme Cluster A: Richard Bodington l Best Performance in Year 2 Theme Cluster C: John Wilson l Best Performance in Year 2 Student Selected Component (SSC): Jason Mann l Best Overall Academic Performance in Year 2: Alexander Newton l Best Overall Performance for Phase I: Laura Coates l Best Overall Performance in Year 3 based on Student Selected Component (SSC) and Record of Achievement (ROA) Results: Thomas Armstrong l Best Performance in Year 4 Theme Cluster A and also Best Performance in Theme Cluster C: Rebecca Cole l Best Performance in Year 4 Theme Cluster B: Deidre Walsh l Best Performance in Year 4 Student Selected Component (SSC)and Record of Achievement (ROA) Results: Temitope Ayeni, emily Cooper, Sarah Priestley, Krystyna Simpson, Daniel Ward l Best Overall Academic Performance in Phase II: Abigail Masding

11 educational conference Celebrating innovation and good practice

Colin Melville, Ann Holiday, Anna Hammond, Jean McKendree

he sixth HYMS Educational Conference took place at Irving, Student Office Manager and Electives Facilitator); Bishop Burton Agricultural College. More than 80 Overview of eLearning (Paul Scott, Manager of Learning Tdelegates were welcomed to the day by Dr Anna Resources, and Catriona Kemp, Librarian); Developing Hammond, Director of Communication Skills Teaching, skills for future teachers (Alison Pettigrew, Director of and Dr Jean McKendree, Associate Dean for Assessment, PGCME); Overview of Assessment (Joanna Micklethwaite, who introduced the theme of “Celebrating the innovation Head of Assessment). and good practice at HYMS.” This was followed by viewing and discussion of 14 This was followed by former students from the first posters presenting a wide range of educational research cohort – Jessie Morgan and Abigail Brooks – who reflected and activities across HYMS. on the highlights of their educational experiences and Lunch was followed by the P1CC Tutors – Paul Caroline Barry who commented on the differences she had Docherty, Kathryn Hammersley and Jonathan observed between HYMS students and those from more Blakeborough, joined by Ben Fitzpatrick of the University traditional medical schools. of York Law School – who spoke about why the HYMS A memorable quote from her reflection was from a model of problem-based learning works well. student about to enter their first year of clinical exposure Afternoon workshops were: Approaches to developing (the third year of the medical undergraduate programme) professionalism in our students (Anna Hammond); who, when asked by Caroline at interview what she might Creating resources and going mobile (eLearning Team); learn in the coming year, thought for a while and Assessment Question Writing and Review (Jean answered: “I suppose seeing patients might make me a McKendree and Joanna Micklethwaite). better doctor!” A round-up was given by Colin Melville, Interim Delegates attended morning and afternoon workshop Undergraduate Dean, who reflected on the key points of sessions on Student support (Demian Whiting, Senior the day and looked forward to future developments at Lecturer in Medical Ethics and Professionalism, and Gwen HYMS. 12 news

Some of the speakers at the Annual UK Primary Care Mental Health Conference held at King’s Manor in York (HYMS Dean Professor Tony Kendrick, back row left, and Professor Simon Gilbody, front row centre) Conference explores delivering mental health treatments

The Mental Health Research Group, part of the Hull Professor Simon Gilbody, the head of the Mental York Medical School and Department of Health Health Research Group, said: “The event was a great Sciences, organised the 2011 Annual uK Primary Care success. We had lots of unsolicited testimonials from Mental Health Conference. delegates saying how much they’d enjoyed the event The conference is hosted by a major research centre and were particularly complimentary about the range each year, and this year was the turn of York. of speakers.” Delegates gather to hear information on the latest Dr Dean McMillan, Senior Lecturer and conference research findings of relevance to the delivery of organiser, added: “This is a significant annual mental health treatments in primary care settings. gathering of the leading researchers in the field, and SSpoemaek oerf sth teh sisp eyaekaer si natc ltuhed Aednn Puraol UfeKs sPorrim Taoryn yCare Mental Htehalitsh wCaosn tfehre nlcaer gheesldt adte Kleingga’st iMoann ionr tinh Yeo trek n years it has Ken(HdYriMckS ,D theaen D Peroafnes osof rH TYonMy SK,e wndhroic dk,i bscacuks sroewd tlehfet, nanedw Profesrsuonr .S imon Gilbody, front row centre) NICe guidelines on common mental health disorders, “That we were able to host such an event recognises on which he had acted as chair. the fact that Hull York Medical School is now a major Other speakers included Dr David Kessler, from the centre of international excellence in Mental Health university of Bristol, who discussed the neglected Services Research.” topic of anxiety disorders in primary care. The event was held in Kings Manor, York.

Study shows popular drugs can increase risk of heart attack or stroke

An international study led by the Hull York Medical risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart School has found that the use of popular non- attack and stroke. steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the Other common NSAIDs, including naproxen and risk of heart attack or stroke by a third. low doses of ibuprofen do not appear to be Researchers from HYMS and the Institute for associated with an increase in risk. Clinical evaluative Sciences in Canada carried out a Lead researcher Dr Patricia McGettigan, of systematic review of controlled observational HYMS, said: “NSAIDs provide pain relief for studies. They found that in patients with heart millions of patients with chronic inflammatory problems, or those with cardiovascular risk factors, disorders. The cardiovascular risk is well described use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but often overlooked. In choosing which one of the (NSAIDs) including diclofenac and indomethacin many available NSAIDs to use, patients and doctors was significantly associated with an increase in the would benefit from knowledge of the balance between benefit and harm for individual NSAIDs.” 13 postgraduate training

News in brief

 Students to share research  HYMS is delighted to confirm that its Postgraduate Certificate in The inaugural HYMS Postgraduate Research Conference will be held on Medical Education programme has Friday 1st June 2012 in the Presentation Theatre and Atrium in The Ron been formally accredited by the Cooke Hub, University of York. Higher Education Academy for a period of five years. This provides The conference will provide a great opportunity for HYMS students to share national recognition of the their research with a wider audience. programme’s commitment to professionalism in learning and All HYMS postgraduate research students and students supervised by HYMS teaching in medical education and members of academic staff will be presenting at this one-day conference. For demonstrates that its practice is further details, please contact [email protected]. aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework. It also means that all graduates of the PGCME are eligible to become Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. Contact Away Day voted overwhelming success [email protected] for further information about the PGCME. The first ever HYMS Intercalated BSc Thereafter, HYMS Dean Prof Tony Away Day took place at Bishop Burton Kendrick talked about clinical academic  The HYMS PGCME, now in its College. careers, giving examples from his own career on how clinical research can second year, offers local Eight of the ten HYMS students make a difference to medical practice. development opportunities for all currently intercalating internally at tutors. Its aim is to enhance the HYMS, the University of Hull, and the Prof Kendrick went on to talk about teaching practice of those involved University of York participated during career tracks for clinical academics, in medical education, and ensure the day by giving 10-minute covering clinical academic training that clinical teaching standards presentations about their research opportunities and fellowships. remain paramount. The one year projects carried out during the 2010/11 part time study programme academic year. Finally, Dr Guy Millman, Consultant provides participants with an and Honorary Senior Lecturer in opportunity to focus on issues The quality of the presentations was Paediatrics at York Hospital, gave a talk related specifically to learning and very high, with topics covering the entitled: “Phase 2: Back to Reality” in teaching, assessment and biology of Salmonella typhimurium and which he gave the intercalated students evaluation, and the need for a Trypanosoma brucei, intracellular information on what will happen when professional framework for all signalling cascades in malignant pleural they return to medical studies in the teaching of medical students. It is a mesothelium, modelling of skull fall. recognised pathway for colleagues morphology, examination of cardio- wishing to become GP trainers, and respiratory fitness in elite cyclists, and At the end of the day, students were has been of great benefit to investigations of how heat fatigue asked to fill in a questionnaire and colleagues wishing to develop their affects performance, how claudication provide feedback on the day. When teaching skills in a variety of affects balance, and how sport injuries asked to score the usefulness of the clinical settings. Visit the HYMS leading to mood disturbance affect Away Day on a scale from 1 to 10 (ten website for further details on the recovery time. being the highest), the results came course and how to apply. back with an overwhelming score of After lunch, three talks were given by 9.4.  New postgraduate facilities are members of HYMS staff. Prof Paul available at the University of York Kaye, Head of the CII and newly Richard Nicholson and Gill Pulpher Harry Fairhurst Building (aka the appointed Dean of Research at HYMS, were thanked for their help organising Library). For information see the kicked off with a research-focused the day, as were all the speakers and HYMS Library Blog at presentation on how to make a vaccine. participants. http://hymslibrary.blogspot.com/ 2011/10/postgraduate-facilities-at- uoy-harry.html For more information on postgraduate training options being developed at HYMS, email [email protected] or visit our website.

14 UNIVERSITY NEWS alumni association

n The University of York Alumni Association has launched a new Facebook fan page. The new page  HYMS class of 2011 features albums, newsfeeds, videos as well as exciting up-to- date information about news and events. You can also stay up-to- date via Twitter and LinkedIn. Log on to www.yorkspace.net/ for further details.

n The University of York 2012 Alumni Weekend will take place on campus from 15-17 June. Watch the website for further details.

n The University of York’s ambitious £750 million expansion at Heslington East has won three prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards. The first phase of Heslington East and the superb Ron Cooke Hub building, which sits at the heart of the campus development, received Gold Awards at the RIBA Northern Network Awards 2011 in Newcastle. The University’s Pro- The HYMS class of 2011 graduated at the university of York in July. Vice-Chancellor for Estates and The ceremony at Central Hall was contributions in the fields of Strategic Projects, Elizabeth followed by a graduation reception at neuroscience and in particular vision Heaps, was also presented with a the Ron Cooke Hub, Heslington East. research, but also in his role as Chief Client of the Year award. There the students said their HYMS Executive of the Medical Research oath and a group photograph was Council. n The University of Hull would like taken. HYMS graduated its first overseas to thank all alumni that chose to The honorary graduand was students at the event: Sang Lee, Maria offer their support by pledging Professor Colin Blakemore who has Mo, Siti Pehin Hj Musa, Andrea over £40,000 during this year’s made a major contribution to British Pisesky, Christabel Samy, Dana Shor Telephone Fundraising Appeal. science not only through his and Dina Tannous. This year the university sought donations for the newly established PhD Scholarship Fund which was recently set up to help attract and retain the best research-focused students. So far those contacted by the student callers have pledged over £40,000 towards both the PhD fund and the Student Hardship Fund.

n The University of Hull has climbed seven places from 51 to 44 in the latest Sunday Times University Guide. The Sunday Times reported that: ‘the friendly, satisfied students of Hull are the University’s best advocates’.

15 Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education October 2012 - September 2013

For more information or to book a place contact: n Tel: 01904 321787 n Email: [email protected] n Web: www.hyms.ac.uk/postgraduate