Edition 30 – Winter 2019
Addressing Inside: The Inequalities and national Rural Health Module Introducing the healthcare Community and Rural Education priorities Route (CARER). Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future Welcome
This edition has learning as its theme University Health Board and aims to Welcome to the and explores the many innovations address health disparities in deprived that are taking place within our communities and the Welsh Government thirtieth edition medical education programmes, priority of recruitment and retention of of ReMEDy from the launch of the Community medical professionals to these areas. and Rural Education Route (CARER) We highlight many of our widening programme, to the introduction of an participation initiatives including the student optional Professional Placement Year led Widening Access to Medicine Mentoring within the Medical Pharmacology BSc Scheme (WAMMS) which supports pupils and the expansion of the Emergency, across Wales with their applications and Pre-hospital and Immediate Care interviews to Medical school. We are also in conversation with Nick Bullock, a 2013 (EPIC) intercalated BSc. graduate of the School of Medicine who is These are exciting times for medical now a Welsh Clinical Academic Track (WCAT) education and Cardiff University School Fellow and Specialist Registrar in Urology of Medicine as we embrace innovative working at Cardiff University and Cardiff and changes that put improved patient care at Vale University Health Board. the heart of all our initiatives. I am proud ReMEDy is available electronically to the that Cardiff University (Clinical Medicine) School’s alumni and to ensure that you was among the top 75 in the Academic receive your copy, please inform us if you Ranking of World Universities (2018). have changed your contact email address. Our ‘In the Spotlight’ feature focuses on the Inequalities and Rural Health Update your details now: module, introduced as part of the Clinical www.cardiff.ac.uk/alumni-update Epidemiology intercalated BSc in September 2017. This optional module I hope you enjoy reading this edition and Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya was developed as a collaboration between I wish you all a very happy 2019. Dean, School of Medicine the School of Medicine and Cwm Taf Curriculum Update
It is as busy as ever within the Centre up new opportunities for doctors to engage opportunities for personal feedback for Medical Education. We are keen with underserved communities within health and development in a smaller cohort is to ensure that there is always an care environments. something that we could not miss the opportunity to create. innovation in our teaching portfolio To this end we have entered into an exciting that is being prepared for roll out. collaboration with Bangor University that Using evidence from around the globe, and will allow 20 medical students to undertake our expertise in the C21 curriculum, we Medical education around the world is ever their medical education within north Wales will create an excellent student experience changing with different models of delivery using the C21 curriculum and faculty from with our colleagues in north Wales. If the that align to student, patient and health Bangor University, Cardiff University and feedback from our students undertaking care systems aspirations for improved the University Health Boards in the region. the Community and Rural Education Route patient care. In addition, concerns over Of course, we already have significant (CARER) is anything to go by then those recruitment and retention of the clinical numbers of students that rotate through students who think they will learn better workforce within Wales and the UK require north Wales on their path to graduation and in a more bespoke environment should us to consider how the preparation for these students give excellent evaluations have an excellent experience and turn into clinical practice following graduation can of their experiences within the NHS in excellent clinicians in the future. I will give be part of the solution to these issues. the region. However, the opportunity for you more information on this as we roll this Increasing medical student numbers is not, educational continuity with clinical and programme out. in itself, the answer and requires innovative academic supervisors, forming stronger thinking to work out ways to offer different Professor Stephen Riley learning relationships and creating more clinical experiences to students that open Dean of Medical Education
2 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019 Contact us: 029 2074 6735 Visit us: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine
In Conversation with our Alumni
Nicholas Bullock BSc, (MBBCh 2013), MRCS Nick’s shared alumni wisdom: Nick is a Welsh Clinical Academic Track (WCAT) Fellow and Specialist “Try not to be so focussed on Registrar in Urology working at Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale working for the future and enjoy a University Health Board. Nick is currently undertaking a PhD within little more of the present. As medical students and doctors we often make the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute exploring ways to sacrifices in the present to enjoy increase the efficacy of PARP inhibitors in advanced prostate cancer. ‘success’ in the future; so-called deferred gratification. However, On why Nick chose to study at Cardiff when you begin working in clinical University, he says there were numerous practice you become aware of the reasons: “From an academic perspective, transient nature of life and the Cardiff ranked highly for Medicine. The importance of savouring every course also comprised several components moment along the way, particularly that I thought suited my learning style, the golden student years.” including full body dissection and the traditional curriculum structure. Socially, “Make the most of the opportunities Cardiff University and the city of Cardiff available to you. Attend that were very appealing. They provided all the conference you are interested in advantages of studying within a capital and submit that abstract you didn’t city, including access to large musical and think would be worthy of presentation. sporting events, without the geographical These things are more achievable size and population of London. I was than you think and are all much fortunate enough to obtain offers from four easier to do as a student than as a junior doctor, when time is Nick describes a typical day: “Beginning with medical schools, but Cardiff was number one more difficult to come by and fees a laboratory meeting or informal discussion, and it was absolutely the right decision.” after which I spend time in the lab running increase greatly.” Nick recalls so many amazing experiences experiments. The afternoon may then involve as a Cardiff student: “If I had to pick one, facilitating a medical student tutorial, followed Nick’s five words describing it would have to be graduation day. After by an evening on call. The transition from Cardiff School of Medicine: all the academic, emotional and social clinical practice to the lab is challenging, but challenges that we had faced during the I have no doubt it will prove invaluable to my preceding years, it was very special to finally personal and professional development.” be able to recognise our achievement and Welcoming After graduating Nick moved from Cardiff express gratitude to our families and loved to undertake an Academic Foundation ones for putting up with us along the way. It Programme in Bristol. Nick describes: was also a time filled with great excitement Diverse “Although moving to a new region and and nervous anticipation for what lay ahead hospital was a daunting prospect, I met as a doctor in the NHS.” some fantastic individuals and developed Reflecting on how Cardiff School of Adaptive enormously. Having spent several years Medicine contributed to his success, in the Welsh NHS as a student, it was Nick describes: “Through providing my invaluable to leave the comfort zone and undergraduate medical training, a range experience a different institution, system and Forward of research opportunities and the ability to infrastructure. It also allowed me to reflect on move away and undertake an intercalated all the amazing opportunities associated with thinking BSc at Imperial College London, Cardiff living and working in Wales, which ultimately University enabled me to gain the skills led me and my wife to return.” and experiences required to begin my On his return to Wales, Nick undertook career path as an Academic Urological a urology themed Core Surgical Training Surgeon. Not only this, it was during my (CST) programme, rotating between Prince time as a student in Cardiff that I met my Charles, Royal Glamorgan, Morriston and wife and several incredible people that UHW. Nicholas says: “I used these two years have remained close friends to this day. to not only develop my basic surgical skills Without their support and encouragement, and complete my membership exams, but none of the other successes would have also strengthen my academic portfolio. I then been possible.” successfully reapplied for a WCAT fellowship “In recent years, I have seen medicine in at the end of CST. If there is anything to take Cardiff go from strength to strength. I have from my short career to date it would be to no doubt that as an institution it will continue persevere in the face of perceived ‘failure’. As to provide Wales, the UK and the world medics we become somewhat accustomed with competent, compassionate doctors for to success, but as my old supervisor once centuries to come, and I will always be proud said, ‘it is not your successes that define you, to call myself a Cardiff graduate.” rather it is how you deal with your failures’.”
Edition 30 – Winter 2019 REMEDY 3 Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future
In the Spotlight: The Inequalities and Rural Health Module, Clinical Epidemiology Intercalated BSc
As the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday, in the year that Dr Julian Tudor Hart died, health inequalities continue to widen in both developed and developing countries.
2017/18 cohort of students presenting posters on the final day of the module. Back row, left to right: Anju Sharma, Alyssa Ralph, Kirsty Anderson, Jessica Webber, Ainsley Richards. Front row, left to right: Vidhi Unadkat, Lopa Banerjee.
Julian Tudor Hart was a GP who worked in inner-city Cardiff, in the hope that they would ethnic minorities, travellers, the LGBT+ the South Wales Valleys and highlighted the be more aware of the social context of health community, the homeless, the prison Inverse Care Law “the availability of good and inspired to work in these types of areas. population, immigrants and refugees - who medical care tends to vary inversely with are particularly at risk of health inequalities. There is evidence from medical schools in the need for it in the population served”. Sir Students gain an understanding of other countries, particularly Australia, Canada Michael Marmot’s report highlights that life challenges to accessing health care, and the USA, that rural exposure such as expectancy and healthy-life expectancy is implications of healthcare staff recruitment provided on this module, increases recruitment around 10 years lower in those who live in the difficulties and new ways of delivering into deprived and rural area careers. Providing most deprived areas of the UK. Many ground- healthcare, whilst also examining potential opportunities for students to have some breaking initiatives, aimed at narrowing this solutions to health inequalities at local, experience in these areas is a key element for disparity, are occurring in the NHS. The national and global levels. the creation of a cohort who can develop into Inequalities and Rural Health module is an tomorrow’s leaders in this field. The module culminates with a poster example of how Cardiff University School of presentation morning where students present Medicine is addressing this issue. Module content work based on their experiences to peers and Why was the module developed? The module was introduced as an option those involved with delivery of the module. on the Clinical Epidemiology Intercalated There is increasing evidence of how health BSc in October 2017 and is currently Markers of success services can contribute to improve health running with a second cohort of six It remains to be seen whether this module outcomes. Although the Royal College of students. It consists of a combination of will influence the career choices of those General Practitioners and the Royal College taught sessions mainly provided at the Keir who take part but early signs are good. of Physicians have published reports Hardie Academic Centre in Merthyr Tydfil Feedback from the first cohort of students about the role of doctors in reducing and educational visits to healthcare related is promising. They commented that the inequalities, there is no clear advice on the settings in Cwm Taf UHB, Powys HB and inspirational speakers and educational visits undergraduate medical student curriculum. Cardiff & Vale areas. had made them more aware of the impact of Compounding the problem of poor access psychosocial issues on health. The module to services is the fact that there are major The small-group taught sessions consist has also guided some of them to re-evaluate recruitment and retention problems in of lectures, round-table discussions and future career-path ideas towards specialising deprived and rural areas of Wales, making interactive critical appraisal discussions in General Practice and Public Health. The this a Welsh Government priority. facilitated by experts and eminent external examiner for the degree course professionals in the field. These sessions The module is a collaboration between the reported that it was; “an exciting module for give the students an insight into the impact School of Medicine and Cwm Taf University students that received extremely positive of social deprivation and rural poverty Health Board, to encourage medical students and inspiring feedback this year. The learning on the health of communities, including to compare and contrast their experience of opportunities for students were especially vulnerable groups – people living in the complexities of delivering healthcare in enhanced by the educational visits and areas of high deprivation, the elderly, diverse areas such as Cwm Taf, Powys and expert speakers on this module”.
4 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019 Contact us: 029 2074 6735 Visit us: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine
Welsh Government thanks… …Cardiff University for Raising Welsh Aspirations The School of Medicine embraces its civic mission role and delivers an exciting programme of school engagement initiatives that aim to raise the aspirations of pupils across Wales and improve educational attainment. Recently, our Vice- Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan received a letter of thanks from the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, recognising the University’s hard work and valuable input in supporting Wales’ brightest students to reach their academic potential and raise their aspirations via the Seren Network (a Welsh Government initiative set up to support the most academically able Year 12 students on the Summer School in the Clinical Skills Lab, Cochrane Building students across Wales to help them gain entry into leading universities). Wales to Schools/Colleges close to their constantly developing on the course e.g. placement. One of the 6th form students communication, leading a team etc. The 6th The School of Medicine dedicates time and who benefited from WAMMS, Megan Bone, formers spend time researching a medical energy in supporting the Seren Network is now studying in the first year of the project, producing a poster presentation, and delivers a range of sessions for parents Medicine course. Megan was very grateful learning clinical skills whilst at the same and teachers, workshops on personal for the support WAMMS gave her. time growing in confidence. Many Summer statements, case based learning and mock School attendees go on to apply for interview preparation seminars. Medicine at Cardiff University and become She said: “The medical excellent medical students themselves and Kirsty says “the programme student that advised me ultimately exceptional doctors. has seen our young people was really helpful when it Other initiatives supporting this agenda grow in confidence, both came to writing my personal include the MEDIC Ambassadors scheme about the prospect of applying statement. She also helped which enables our students, members of staff and alumni to deliver curriculum for competitive courses me prepare for the interview, in particular helping me enhancing workshops and get involved at a range of universities in careers fairs and talks in primary and and in their own ability and practise delivering confident secondary schools in Wales. Science in suitability to apply for such and well-structured answers. Health Live and the Science in Health work courses. In doing so, this I am the first in my family to experience initiatives also provide year 12 pupils with an insight into the science has opened up life-changing be going to university, so the support WAMMS has given behind medicine. Dr Kit Lam, a 2018 opportunities here in Wales, graduate, was inspired by his visit to the the UK and overseas.” me, along with the excellent School of Medicine, saying “Science in support from the school, was Health Live gave me a first-hand insight into really important to me.” how the fundamental aspects of science Alongside our contribution to the Seren underpinned medicine and the wider Network, the School of Medicine supports society. What I took most from it was how prospective students across Wales through Raising aspirations amongst Welsh 6th research could be translated directly to the numerous initiatives. The student led formers is of paramount importance to bedside. I believe Science in Health Live Widening Access to Medicine Mentoring Cardiff University’s Widening Participation was where my pursuit of a clinical academic Scheme (WAMMS) actively supports strategy. The University organises a career started.” 6th form students with their university Summer School every year which welcomes application, interviews and provides them over 100 students to a 3-day residential Further information with lots of useful advice. During its first where students get to experience a taste If you would like to find out more about year of operation (2017/18) the Scheme of university life whilst also attending any of the above initiatives please email reached over 200 students across 26 academic sessions, teamwork, presentation [email protected] Schools/Colleges. This has been made work and social events. Medical students possible by the true dedication of medical contribute towards the Summer School students and their ability to travel all over bringing along many skills they are
Edition 30 – Winter 2019 REMEDY 5 Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future
Introducing the… Community and Rural Education Route (CARER) programme
As Wales sees a critical shortfall in the number of doctors to serve the increasing patient demand generated by a growing and aging population, we have joined up with two other Welsh universities to pilot a scheme designed to bring young doctors to North and Mid Wales.
The CARER (Community and Rural Education innovative curriculum as their peers in patients experience as they navigate the Route) programme, run in partnership with Cardiff, under the guidance of a small NHS. Students will benefit from working Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, will give dedicated team of experts. within well-developed, fully functioning Cardiff medical students the opportunity to medical teams. They will also have the The first programme of its kind in Wales, have a year of their education delivered in unique experience of immersing themselves initially CARER will only be available for GP practices and hospitals in North and Mid in a rural community for a year. existing third year medical students. Wales, giving them invaluable experience of Educational institutions from around the You can follow the students’ journeys, from working closely with clinicians and patients in world have been running LIC programmes clinical skills classes and GP consultations, community settings. for over 15 years. Some of the positive to mountain climbing and 50km runs by The new scheme will build on the elements reported from similar programmes visiting blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/CARER. A group University’s existing practice of ensuring its include students acquiring an enhanced of the students taking part in the pilot are medical students are offered placements all understanding of patient needs, better- sharing their experiences. over the country in a wide variety of settings developed communication skills and stronger and complements. The first group of 12 working relationships with patients, fellow Next intake students commenced their CARER journey students and healthcare professionals. The School has been recruiting for in September 2018. They will complete their 2019/2020 and has signed up more Parallel consulting, seeing patients third year in these locations before returning students and GP surgeries to take part independently and then reporting back to Cardiff to finish their degrees. in this innovative programme. If you would to clinicians, ensures active participation like further information about this unique During this year long placement (referred which develops and reinforces diagnostic learning experience, please contact to as a ‘Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship’ thinking at a much greater rate. In addition [email protected] or ‘LIC’) the students work towards the following the patient into the hospital same learning outcomes from the same environment gives a unique view of what
6 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019 Contact us: 029 2074 6735 Visit us: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine
CARER Blog Posts
“It is a year since I applied to join the CARER As well as sessions with the GPs, I also programme, and … I am incredibly glad that I usually have 1 session per week with one did apply! It is now time for the next cohort of of the practice nurses. This is really useful students to apply and so I thought that it would as I get the chance to practice my clinical be useful for me to give a bit of an insight as to skills, such as taking blood, doing ECGs and what the CARER programme involves. giving injections. Moreover I get to observe asthma, diabetes and COPD reviews, which I spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are helpful as they allow me to gain a better morning at the GP surgery. I arrive at 9am, understanding of the management of these say good morning to the reception staff and common conditions. usually have a cup of tea whilst I double check what I am doing for the day. Every week on Tuesday afternoon I have a one hour tutorial with one of the GPs, My days are split into morning sessions, where we discuss a patient who I have seen BANGOR which run from 9am until around 12pm, and that week. We generally discuss potential afternoon sessions which usually run from diagnoses and the management of that 2:30pm to 4:30pm. I spend most sessions patient. I find these tutorials very useful! A Week in the Life of with the GPs. There are 4 GPs at my surgery, a CARER Student… and I have different sessions with all of them Sometimes I have the chance to follow up which is useful as I have the chance to see patients and visit the hospital. For example different consulting styles, and to receive last week I attended an outpatient clinic with By Ella Wooding (Medicine 2016 -) different types of teaching. the specialist liver nurse. I stayed for the whole clinic and got to see various patients, In these sessions I sometimes simply including the patient I had seen at the GP observe the GPs, and ask them questions surgery. My GP also occasionally organises me between each patient. Recently I have been short placements with other hospital doctors doing a combination of observing and doing she knows, which are very interesting! some histories and examinations myself with the GP watching me, which is very useful and Thursdays are the days which we have definitely improves my history taking skills! lectures or tutorials. Our tutorials are given either by our main lecturer Dr Ffion Williams I also have the opportunity 2-3 times per or by lecturers who come up to Bangor week to see some patients on my own. I specifically for us. have 20 minutes to take a history from the patient and do any examinations I need to. For the past couple of months we have I then find whichever GP is supervising me had Fridays as another day of lectures and and present the patient to them. We discuss tutorials, however now we have all started our potential diagnoses and management SSCs (student selected components), Fridays options, and then the GP comes with me to are for us to work on our projects. see the patient and double check what I have found and prescribe any drugs or do any referrals which are necessary.
Four more weeks in and Aberystwyth hasn’t lost Life in the GP surgery carried on as normal its charms. Things are getting a little rougher during October – not that there is such a weather-wise: we’ve already had storms wash thing as a normal day. Minor injuries, flu half the dark glittering stones from the beach clinics, minor operations, chronic disease onto the promenade, hailstones clatter down review… and the emergencies, and the walk-in with no warning and I’ve also already been appointments, and so on, and so on… The snowed on – and all of this before the end of biggest change since last we spoke has been October. But despite this violent treatment and doing my first proper ‘parallel consultations’…. despite the encroaching winter darkness I am Since reporting last from the scene, I have also in high spirits. When we’re not being battered run a race longer than a marathon: The Race by nature it is often freezing and very clear, and to the Sea, or Ras Yr Mor, following the Ystwyth you can see for miles. Though the vibrant green river toward the sea for 50km. foliage on the trees has almost finished moving ABERYSTWYTH through bright oranges to dark reds, the fields and hills surrounding Aber are green as ever. Octoberystwyth
By Ed Hatfield (Medicine 2016 -)
Edition 30 – Winter 2019 REMEDY 7 Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future
• MSc in Pain Management In 2018, the cohort has risen by 2 to 12 and two new Emergency Departments, • PgCert, PgDip and MSc in Pain Morriston Hospital in Swansea and Management (Primary and Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny are Community). on board with delivering this programme. • MSc for Palliative Medicine for Next year, agreements are in place Health Care Professionals. to expand to 16 students at various locations around Wales. It is anticipated that the PGT Team will continue to seek this support for future programmes. For information on the latest Celebrating Ten Years funding opportunities available for the 4 of The Postgraduate September 2019 intake please contact: Diploma In Diabetes [email protected] In September 2018, the PG Diploma celebrated 10 years of equipping Medical Pharmacology healthcare professionals with the latest 2 Introduces Professional clinical information on diabetes and Placement Year (PPY) diabetic complications as seen in practice. The BSc programme in Medical Aimed at future leaders and innovators Pharmacology has introduced an in diabetes management in both optional Professional Placement Year primary and secondary care settings, (PPY). Placements will be undertaken the course has supported the career between the second and final year in development of more than 1,000 industry (pharmaceutical), government/ healthcare professionals caring for university research laboratories or similar people with diabetes from more than 20 countries around the world. The School of Medicine has suitable organisations. They will provide students with significant insight into the Dr Shalini Jaggi (PgDip 2015), a successful track record of career opportunities available to them. Consultant and Head, Dr Mohans’ contributing to society through Importantly, students can choose to stay Diabetes Specialities Centre, New Delhi, its Research, Learning and in the UK or travel to Europe or beyond. India completed the diploma in 2015 Teaching, and Innovation and Placements aim to provide students and said “The course is intensive, very with an understanding of how data is comprehensive as well as interesting Engagement activity. Efforts and enjoyable. The interactive mode of by many staff and students analysed, new information is acquired in a research setting and, depending on learning opens new vistas and gives a highlight a rich variety of ways location, how a business organisation global experience, providing an in-depth in which the School is engaging is run. Ultimately, the PPY will provide knowledge on all aspects of diabetes. invaluable “employability skills” that I strongly recommend this course to and benefitting society. Here all clinicians who manage diabetes to are just ten recent examples: will bolster future career prospects, increasing competitiveness in the empower themselves with the latest toughest of work markets. tools and skills provided by this diploma that enables them to deliver scientific, Financial Support EPIC evidence-based diabetes care to their 1 for Postgraduate patients and community. The academic Taught Study 3 Expansion knowledge gained through this diploma Launched in 2017, the Emergency, has boosted my confidence and helped Funding a postgraduate taught Pre-hospital and Immediate Care me establish myself as a respected programme of study is not easy, (EPIC) intercalated BSc has produced clinician, faculty and key opinion leader which is why the School of Medicine, excellent research outputs from its first in diabetes in my city as well as country!” one of the largest providers of cohort of students. These include Ms postgraduate taught programmes, Charlotte Maden’s research project Welsh Medium is increasing funding opportunities on ‘Dynamic Simulation Modelling of Medical Education for a range of its postgraduate Trauma in an Emergency Department 5 taught programmes. The following in Wales’ which came third at a UK Goes from Strength programmes offered 100% bursaries/ Trauma Conference and winning the to Strength scholarships in September 2018: All Wales School Emergency Medicine The MBBCh has just welcomed its • The newly launched MSc/PgDip in Research prize, beating off competition newest cohort of students who have Clinical Leadership and Leading from both Emergency Medicine middle committed to studying partly through Change in Cardiology, supporting grades and consultants. Four students, the medium of Welsh. The numbers of healthcare professionals to make (Charlotte Maden, Dylan Mistry, Emily Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholars sustainable and effective changes Baker and Sara Pradhan (Medicine have shot up from 4 to 34 since within the workplace. 2013-)) were also accepted to present the scholarship was introduced in posters at the European Society for 2015-16, with students seeing value Emergency Medicine Conference.
8 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019 Contact us: 029 2074 6735 Visit us: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine in continuing their Welsh medium The Great Wall £20m Dementia education whilst studying medicine. 7 Friendship Award 9 Research Centre Miss Awen Iorwerth (MBBCh 1994), The Vice-Chancellor has received Launch Clinical Lecturer and Lead for Welsh one of China’s most prestigious Medium Provision said “This is an awards in recognition of the School of exciting time for Welsh speaking Medicine’s longstanding contribution students to join us. Not only can we to the development of China’s capital facilitate Case Based Learning and SSC city, Beijing. projects in Welsh, following a successful pilot, students can now access Welsh Professor Riordan said: “It is a tremendous medium clinical communication skills honour to receive such a prestigious award sessions. Students are seeing the on behalf of the University.” benefit of using their bilingualism on The University’s historical links with placements across Wales’. Beijing can be traced back to 1999 when A new research centre aimed at finding it first partnered with Peking University. effective treatments for dementia officially HealthWise This partnership has since developed opened at Cardiff University. The Cardiff 6 Wales Resource culminating in the establishment of centre is one of six that together make the Cardiff – Capital Medical University up the UK Dementia Research Institute for Research (CMU) Joint Centre for Biomedical (UK DRI). More than 70 scientists from Research in 2013. The joint venture has around the world have been recruited to resulted in some 91 scholar exchanges, the centre with the aim of expanding the more than 60 student exchanges, and group to 100 in the near future. collaborative research into the causes of UK DRI at Cardiff will build upon and treatment for cancer. research strengths in dementia genetics; Professor Riordan added: “I am proud immunology; computational analytics; of the links that we have developed with cellular and whole system modelling; CMU, in Beijing and across China. and neuroimaging to identify disease mechanisms and therapies for a range of PÂR-NCMH Wins dementias including Alzheimer’s disease. 8 Public Involvement Professor Julie Williams (BSc 1978, Achievement Award PhD 1987), Director of the UK DRI at Cardiff University, said: “With a new case of dementia diagnosed somewhere in the world every four seconds we aim to bring about a step change in the way we study HealthWise Wales (HWW) is a this set of diseases.” unique cohort study and resource for researchers. We are engaging people age TEDx 16+ from across Wales to participate in CardiffUniversity research by answering questions about 10 their physical and mental health, and Dr Emma Yhnell (BSc 2012, PhD 2016) Professor Catherine Robinson, PÂR lifestyle. 27,000 people have already from the Neuroscience and Mental Health academic lead, and Bethan Edwards, signed up and contributed their data for Research Institute (NMHRI), School of member of the public, submitted the health and social care research. Medicine was one of seven inspiring winning project ‘Partnership in Research speakers at TEDxCardiffUniversity. Sharing HealthWise Wales supports research for the National Centre for Mental Health insight of personal experiences, Emma in a number of ways: (PÂR-NCMH)’ at the 2018 Health and discussed research into genetic disorders 1. HWW can support data collection Care Research Wales conference. and the challenging ethical dilemmas that by hosting questionnaire modules The initiative creates opportunities for are associated with this area of research. on the HWW Platform and linking mental health service users and carers TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading participant data to healthcare to be actively involved in research ideas, usually in the form of short, records (through the SAIL Databank). across Wales. powerful talks. Today TED covers 2. HWW can email all participants/ almost all topics – from science to Bethan said: “I’m delighted that PÂR targeted participants about research business to global issues – in more has won this year’s Public Involvement studies to promote recruitment to than 100 languages. Independently run Achievement award. The NCMH has these studies. TEDx events, like TEDxCardiffUniversity, worked incredibly hard over the last year help share ideas around the world. 3. Researchers can access data held in to ensure PÂR and public involvement is the HWW data repository, which can embedded within the centre.” You can find TEDxCardiffUniversity on include routine healthcare data that the Cardiff University YouTube page. “As a member of PÂR, I’m looking is available through record-linkage. www.youtube.com/watch?time_ forward to developing and increasing To find out more please visit: continue=9&v=IiMJtwp1nFQ public involvement in mental health www.healthwisewales.gov.wales research with the NCMH.” Edition 30 – Winter 2019 REMEDY 9 Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future
LB When I was younger, I actually ReMEDy talks to Dr Carwyn wanted to do law and become a Lopamudra Banerjee Shires, alumnus; Lopamudra barrister or judge. As well as being able (Medicine 2014-) Banerjee, undergraduate to deliver justice I was also attracted I’m a fourth-year student; Pam Smith, to the fancy gowns and wigs, but then medical student postgraduate student and I discovered scrubs were much more at Cardiff fashionable (and comfy!). University. Dr Paul Frost, member of Last year I staff, to ask the questions we PS A teacher! Hopefully my future intercalated love to know the answers to! career in academia will see me being and did a able to do teaching. BSc in Clinical What do you listen to first PF Train driver or pilot, certainly not Epidemiology, but it’s a doctor. nice to be back studying medicine! thing in the morning? I also help to run ‘Cardiff Students CS Along with my 5 alarm clocks - Who are your heroes for Global Health’, the global health Radio 3 Breakfast. and villains? society at Cardiff. Excitingly, we hosted a national conference in LB I really enjoy getting ready to party CS I think this is the hardest question... Cardiff in December on sexual music, because it’s never too early to can I get back to you? health and HIV.’ have a boogie and a giggle! LB My hero would have to be sister and PS Usually traffic or a train - the joys of villains would have to be people that If you could change one thing living on a busy road by a train track! are full of problems but never solutions. what would it be? PF Radio 3 & 4 and classic FM PS My heroes are my parents. They CS The price of eating healthily. unsurprisingly my children prefer to taught me the importance of being travel with my wife. LB To sustainably remove all inequity driven and passionate about my work in health. As a child what did you want and have made me the strong woman I am today (Mum also taught me how to PS Stigma around mental health, so to be when you grew up? make a great lemon drizzle cake!). that less people suffer in silence. CS Lots of things - teacher, computer Villians – That’s a tricky one. Maybe PF I would add bad hand-writers to programmer, police officer. However anyone who doesn’t like cats? They’re the previous paragraph. Illegibility is a I always seemed to come back to the enemy. curse on medical professionals and can medicine. make reviewing patient notes torturous. PF My mother, sadly my father died Dr Carwyn Shires when he was relatively young leaving What is your secret ambition? (MBBCh 2012) my mother to keep 5 children all (just between us) together and on track. I graduated from CS If I told you that it wouldn’t be a Cardiff in 2012 I have no real villains except for litter secret anymore. You’ve probably heard and then did louts, people who don’t pick up after that one before. my F1/F2 in the their dogs, people who forget to say LB To convince everyone that it’s ok Heath Hospital please and thank you, queue jumpers, to dip your chips in your ice cream/ (which I loved) pompous people, virtuous, ‘I do it all milkshake and I know it sounds weird before going off to for charity’ types, inconsiderate and that it shouldn’t work, but it Bridgend to do my GP parkers, (especially those using somehow tastes delicious? training. I now work as a locum GP disabled spaces when not entitled), and also volunteer for a charity in open-mouthed gum chewers and of PS Leading role on the West End Eastern Europe working with adults course, intolerant people. (preferably Eponine from Les who have learning disabilities, Miserables!) Dream big! currently spending around 3-4 months a year there.
10 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019 Contact us: 029 2074 6735 Visit us: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine
PF I would love to be properly fit – I Which one question would have flirted with running and training you really like to know the Dr Paul Frost over the years but good food, alcohol, answer to? I am a consultant and the lure of the settee keeps in intensive dragging me down. CS Why does time go so quickly. care medicine LB How I do make sure I always win at based in the What does the School of Monopoly? University Medicine need more of? Hospital of PS Are we alone or is there other life in Wales and CS Doctors! Well students I suppose, the solar system? have recently to make more doctors. PF What happens when you die? I have been appointed as Director of Clinical Skills LB Places to nap! long believed that your last breath will and Simulation. Although I qualified be a eureka moment “of course it’s so PS Supportive and inspiring PhD in Sheffield all of my specialist supervisors. My supervisors tick all the obvious etc” but it will be too late to training occurred in Australia and boxes but I have heard that this is rare. share it with anybody. Ideally I would New Zealand and I was working like to find out in about 50 years or so. PF Money. in Auckland before the lure of family and home brought me How do you relax? What advice would you offer back to Wales. medical students today? CS I jog (slowly), play the violin (badly) and generally catch up with my friends. CS 1) Think of medical school as If you could turn the clock an education and not a training (big LB I enjoy travelling, spending time with back, what would you do difference) - you’ll learn a lot of things friends and family, and aerial fitness. differently? that you’ll never use again - but you’ve PS A quiet night in. A candle, good book CS I regret not learning more languages been educated, your mind has been and peppermint tea (the addition of a when I was in school - they open up so exercised and hopefully you’ve been cat is a bonus!). many opportunities. taught to think. PF Gardening , running, listening to LB I wish I had spent more time 2) Lots of people used to dread music, fishing, reading and alcohol. learning languages as a child and made being sent off to some far flung a bit more use of that critical period! corner of Wales on placement but use these opportunities to explore and Pam Smith (PhD 2017-) PS Spend less time worrying about enjoy Wales. I am a second year what others think of me. PhD student 3) Have plenty of hobbies and make PF Absolutely nothing. based in the time for friends (both of these will Division of What is your best holiday? outlast your career!) Population CS I have lots to choose from - my Medicine. Which book did you re-read childhood annual French family most as a child? I have a background in holidays, camping trips, hill walking CS Well I enjoyed lots of different books health psychology in Romania - but probably one of my - starting with Percy the Park Keeper, and my research most memorable was a week in Sicily the Famous Five, Harry Potter series, focuses on lung cancer screening with my then housemate - we had a few my mum’s crime novels. But which and prevention for high risk, hard adventures and at one point thought book did I re-read the most - probably to reach groups. Prior to starting we were going to be finished off by the the Bible - my parents read a small my PhD I worked as an advisor for Mafia on the edge of a cliff! an NHS smoking cessation service passage to me from it every night. and then moved into research as an LB Travelling is always such a treat but LB Harry Potter – this might be a assistant on the ABACus project (PI: a stand-out holiday would be going to common answer, but they were just Dr Kate Brain) at the University. My Morocco and camping under the stars such an iconic series and possibly research interests include cancer in the Sahara Desert. the only books that never got old, prevention, smoking behaviours PS Sorrento in Italy. Simply for the and health inequalities. I hope no matter how many times you read/ limoncello and pasta! re-read them. by the end of my PhD to have a better understanding of how best PF Undoubtedly New Zealand with all PS Matilda by Roald Dahl. Everything to engage smokers from deprived of my family. about it is perfect! communities in lung cancer PF ‘Five on a treasure island’ by Enid screening and smoking cessation. Blyton. This book has it all.
Edition 30 – Winter 2019 REMEDY 11 Diagnose the past, research the present, repair the future
LIPID MAPS Gateway A global open access community-driven resource for all things “lipid”
Essential to life, lipid (fats) make up University of California San Diego, the LIPID MAPS has many academic partners 30% of our bodies, and 60% of our Babraham Institute, Cambridge and including Metabolomics Workbench and the brain. They are sources of energy, Cardiff University. Lipidomics Standards Initiative (https:// lipidomics-standards-initiative.org) and hold our cells together and allow our Lipid researchers worldwide rely on the are delighted to be sponsored by Cayman cells to communicate during both LIPID MAPS Lipidomics Gateway, Chemical and Avanti Polar Lipids. health and disease. www.lipidmaps.org. This unique open Coming from our diet and made in access database now contains over A big challenge for LIPID MAPS is our cells, our bodies contain literally 43,000 classified structures, of which long-term sustainability. Sponsorship thousands of different types of these around half are curated, making it the opportunities have been developed, and unique molecules. Problems with lipid largest public lipid-specific database in the all income raised is being used to support biology underlie all our major diseases world. The website also provides access the continuation of the resource for the including cardiovascular, metabolic to lipid specific software tools, protocols, next generation of lipid researchers. disease, thrombosis and cancer, while standards, tutorials and publications, and aspirin exerts its beneficial effects is an essential information source for lipid researchers across the globe. With over To find out more about LIPID through preventing a lipid molecule from MAPS or to get involved please being made in our circulation. 2 million page views annually from all corners of the world, LIPID MAPS is third contact Caroline Jeffs The LIPID MAPS Gateway was created in behind only Google and PubMed as the [email protected] visit 2003 at the University of California San most widely-used academic resource for www.lipdmaps.org Diego by Professors Ed Dennis, Shankar lipid researchers. Subramianiam and colleagues. At that time, the LIPID MAPS consortium became In June 2018, the website was fully redesigned and relaunched and now Editor: Sarah Hatch, Cardiff University School the global lead in championing the of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN. includes a data deposition function newly emerging field of Lipidomics (lipid The Editor wishes to thank all contributors to biology and analysis) to the international for lipidomics datasets, new oxidized this edition of ReMEDy. phospholipid structures and drawing tools The Editor reserves the right to edit research community. contributions received. Whilst care is taken and a new in silico generated structure to ensure the accuracy of information, this Now supported by a Biomedical database featuring over 1.1M structures. cannot be guaranteed. Resources grant from the Wellcome Views expressed in ‘ReMEDY’ do not Other features include ‘Lipid of the Month’ necessarily reflect those of the School. Trust (led by Professor Valerie O’Donnell, and a weekly blog by Dr Bill Christie. Feedback and items of interest relating Cardiff School of Medicine, LIPID MAPS LIPID MAPS regularly host educational to the School are welcome and should be recently relocated the database and sent to: workshops at international conferences [email protected] administrative functions to the UK and including Keystone Lipidomics meetings Cardiff University is a registered charity, is now managed by a global consortium in the US, and the European Lipidomics no. 1136855. that comprises colleagues from the Meeting recently held in Leipzig.
12 REMEDY Edition 30 – Winter 2019