Recent news of interest
 Designing safer systems of care delivery for older patients
A PRIME Centre Wales study published in Age and Ageing, identified incidents when poor communication between secondary and primary care, and failures within primary care, led to patient harm.
The study suggests new multidisciplinary community based care communications, with improved access to specialist geriatric advice, may improve complex clinical decision making and management of multiple serious health conditions, thereby reducing harm to older patients. Read more
Preventing tooth decay in children
 Applying fluoride varnish to children’s teeth is just as effective at preventing tooth decay as the alternative method of sealing teeth and could save the NHS money, concludes a study led by Professor Ivor Chestnutt, PRIME Centre Wales led by Professor Ivor Chestnutt, PRIME Centre Wales lead for oral health and primary dental care and Professor and Hon. Consultant in Dental Public Health/Associate Dean for Post Graduate Studies at Cardiff University.
The ‘Seal or Varnish?’ study, in collaboration with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Community Dental Service, treated just over 800 children with either fissure sealants or fluoride varnish to discover which treatment is most effective and offers the best value for money for children aged 6-7 years.
Read the full article on the Journal of Dental Research website
 A map of domestic abuse and sexual violence services supporting men in Wales
An interactive map of domestic abuse and sexual violence services supporting men in Wales has been developed by Sarah Wallace, researcher at University of South Wales as part of her investigation of men experiencing domestic abuse and current service provision (Wales).
The interactive service map and accompanying information leaflet provides the contact details, opening times and types of support provided by domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Wales supporting men. All service information was re-checked between October and November 2016.
The map is available at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zAV88zLPt4Lk.kVycmA6JTRTc
Implementing shared decision making in the NHS: lessons from the MAGIC programme
 An anlysis by Natalie Joseph-Williams and colleagues from the MAGIC programme published in the BMJ argues that shared decision making requires a shift in attitudes at all levels but can become part of routine practice with the right support.
Adoption of shared decision making into routine practice has been remarkably slow, despite 40 years of research and considerable policy support. In 2010, the Health Foundation in the UK commissioned the MAGIC (Making Good Decisions in Collaboration) programme to design, test, and identify the best ways to embed shared decision making into routine primary and secondary care using quality improvement methods.
Read the full analysis on the BMJ website
 Sarah Wallace awarded Best Poster at WONCA Europe 2017
Sarah Wallace, researcher at University of South Wales was awarded 'Best Poster' at WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors) Europe Conference, held in Prague, 28 June - 1 July 2017.
The aim of the poster entitled 'The Women’s Advocacy Project: A Protocol for Supporting Participatory Evaluation' was to provide an overview of the evaluation of the Women’s Advocacy Project. Through the use of a participatory evaluation design service user’s, stakeholders and project workers are key contributors to the design and delivery of the project.
On receiving the award, Sarah commented:
"I was very pleased to have been accepted to display my poster at a WONCA Europe 2017 (a conference for General Practitioners from across Europe) as it offered a positive means in which to promote the work of the project. I was therefore delighted to have won the award for best poster”. The poster is available to view here.
 Best Oral Presentation prize awarded to Mark Kingston at Swansea University Postgraduate Research Conference 2017
As part of his PhD, Mark Kingston, Research Officer in PRIME Centre Wales at Swansea University completed a national survey of the use of emergency admission risk prediction tools in primary care, gaining responses from 174 of the 235 UK health boards and clinical commissioning groups (74%).
The survey explored the availability of tools, factors influencing adoption, how tools are used, and whether their introduction has prompted service changes.
After presenting the survey findings at the Postgraduate Research Conference, “Access to emergency admission risk prediction tools: a cross sectional survey of UK health boards and CCGs.”
Mark received the Best Oral Presentation prize which includes a £500 travel bursary. Further presentations of the work will be made at the Health Services Research UK conference in Nottingham (June 2017), and the Society for Academic Primary Care conference in Warwick (July 2017).
A journal article on the work is also being prepared. The work was part funded by ABM UHB Pathway to Portfolio scheme, and findings will support future grant applications.
Supervisors: Professor Helen Snooks, Dr Alison Porter and Professor Hayley Hutchings.
If you would like any further information relating to this please contact Mark on m.r.kingston@swansea.ac.uk
 @ResearchWales magazine: Showcasing health and social care research in Wales
Featuring a wealth of articles across many subjects, including: social care research; child tooth decay; ADHD; a study on new mothers; a new approach to student health and well-being, and teenage inactivity. Read more and download
PiCRIS Newsletter
 The new edition of PiCRIS News including updates on the new Primary Care Research Incentive Scheme (PiCRIS) 2016/17 Scheme which began April 2017 and profile of the featured practice, the Practice of Health, is available to download and view here.
 Pharmacy Research Lead Scoping Exercise Report 2017
In November 2015, a 5-year strategic plan was published for Pharmacy Research in Wales by Pharmacy Research Wales. An integral part of this strategy was to develop a research workforce for pharmacy across the managed and non-managed sectors in Wales. In order to fulfil this goal, one of the main recommendations was to ‘establish local research leadership roles,’ initially within each of the eight localities (i.e. seven Local Health Boards, plus one NHS Trust) in Wales.
In order for these new ‘research lead’ roles to be successful, it is important to identify the key attributes required of these individuals. The role will involve leading and facilitating pharmacy research locally. Further educational materials may be required to train the workforce; however, first we need to understand what knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours the ‘pharmacy research leads’ need to demonstrate.
The aim of this scoping exercise was to establish what knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours are required of a pharmacy research lead in order to inform the job specification and provide a framework for the design of a development programme for these new posts. Download the full report: Pharmacy Research Lead Scoping Report, April 2017
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All Wales District Nurses Forum - National Conference
Social Care Research Studentship Awards
Prescribing Lifestyle Changes for Cardiovascular Health 
