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Mechanisms and clinical relevance of the GM-CSF chemical’s capacity to reverse C5a (complement)-mediated impairment of bacterial killing by neutrophils (white blood cells)

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing hospital infections. White blood cells (neutrophils) that destroy bugs work less efficiently in such patients. We can make these cells work again by adding a chemical (called GM-CSF) in the lab, but we don’t know how GM-CSF works or whether it might help in real patients. This proposal addresses these issues. When GM-CSF works, it probably turns on chemical ‘signals’ inside the white blood cell, which tell the cell to eat bugs more efficiently. I shall determine which chemical signals are turned on by GM-CSF. This will tell us how GM-CSF is working, and should suggest ways of developing new treatments to improve white cell function. I shall also study white blood cells from other patients who receive GM-CSF as part of their medical care. I shall determine whether GM-CSF makes white blood cells eat bugs more efficiently. If it does, the proposal would naturally lead on to clinical trials aiming to see if GM-CSF can prevent hospital infections in the ICU.

Long term outcome following the treatment of bronchiolitis with Continuous Negative Extrathoracic Pressure (CNEP)

Children treated with CNEP at North Staffordshire Hospital (NSH) will be compared to matched children managed conventionally at Queen's in Nottingham.

Informing Carers: Exploring the relationship between carers, information and information providers.

Research was carried out with carers and information providers in Newcastle upon Tyne. A combined methodology of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, encompassing 3 research methods: postal questionnaire, focus group and one to one interviews. Carers were asked about their positive and negative experiences of finding, accessing and using information. Information providers were asked about their experiences of providing information for and to carers in respect of creating, defining and providing information, helping carers find information and barriers to information provision.

Wheelchair Skills Programme for Young People

The project revolves around young wheelchair users and the access they have to current training. At the moment wheelchair skills training for young people in Northern Ireland is limited. External organisations are sought for implementing training from mainland UK. Northern Ireland's Regional Wheelchair Training Occupational Therapist (OT) has independently designed a wheelchair skills training programme, which can be implemented and graded to suit the clients' needs. The programme will be adapted and implemented as a standardised and measurable wheelchair skills test initially, with a training programme to follow. This will hopefully standardise the level of training being given to all young wheelchair users, and improve services across Northern Ireland.

From the outset parents of young wheelchair users have been vocal in the lack of services for their children. In 2008 the "Proposals for Reform of Wheelchair Services 2008" was created to establish a greater structure to enhance services for wheelchair users, which was greatly influenced by service users and parents alike. It is this document that has meant our project has the evidence base to proceed to further enhance services in areas where it is much needed.

Without the voice of members of the public, friends, family of service users, this project would not exist, therefore thanks must go to them for speaking up.

Colitis Education and Support Programme (CESP)

This is an RCT of two approaches to delivery of education and support, to patients with UC, in an outpatient setting. Primary outcomes are emotional and social well-being as measured by quality of life scales. An economic evaluation is included.