The University of Bath and the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust held a Cardiovascular Research Showcase on the evening of Wednesday 11 December at the RUH.

The evening was a celebration of the research that is happening between Bath and the RUH. The Showcase highlighted the importance of cardiovascular research for improving people’s health and wellbeing, and making patient care better.

Attendees had the chance to hear about Super Rehab, a study which has tested the impact of a high-level, well-resourced, one-to-one support programme for patients with heart disease; and new research between the University of Bath and the Royal United Hospital.

Speakers include Dr Ali Khavandi, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at the RUH; Dr Jonathan Rodrigues, Consultant Cardiothoracic Radiologist at the RUH; and Dylan Thompson, Professor of Human Physiology and Deputy Head of Department for Health at the University of Bath.

Professor Thompson is co-leading in the Super Rehab Project which is exploring how exercise and nutrition advice can impact recovery for heart conditions. Speaking at the Showcase, he said:

Tonight’s event was a great example of what the hospital and University can achieve when working together. In partnership, we are developing new and innovative approaches to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This exciting research has the potential to improve the lives of people living with cardiovascular diseases and help reduce demand for more complex and costly procedures within hospitals.

This partnership also demonstrates what can be achieved in terms of skills, training and development when working together. We heard from three cardiology registrars who are receiving research training as PhD students registered with the University. Thus, the legacy from this new partnership will be long-lasting through the development of clinical staff with more developed research skills.

Lisa Austin, Research Hub Manager in the Department for Health at the University of Bath, said:

We were proud that the Cardiovascular Research Showcase was shaped by our patient and public contributors, who formed a steering group to support the research into heart health. They were keen that those who participated in the research projects, took to the stage to talk about their positive experience of healthy eating and structured high intensity exercise. At the end of the event, the researchers and audience had a lively debate about healthy living and all the cardiac research showcased that evening.

Other RUH and Bath research collaborations

  • Engineers are developing an inflatable cushion to assist ICU staff on safety moving patients with acute respiratory conditions. The "Bath Mat" reduces the need for seven staff to two, cutting repositioning time from 30 minutes to under 10. It also reduces injury risk to staff.
  • Dr Oly Perkin and Dr Max Western are trialling short, structured bursts of exercises for patients at the Falls and Memory Clinic at the RUH. Early results of the “exercise snacking” shows it prevents muscle loss during hospital stays and reduces fall risks.
  • Patients with knee osteoarthritis are receiving 3D-printed titanium-alloy implants developed by Professor Richie Gill and his team. These implants aim to make surgeries faster and safer, building on previous work using machine learning to identify and classify hip fractures.
  • Improving cancer patient outcomes in collaboration with Collaborating with the Dyson Cancer Centre, projects range from developing technologies for early cancer detection to understanding how regular exercise affects tumour activity. Trials are also underway to improve ovarian cancer detection.