Carmarthen Journal

Doctor receives funding boost to help with research

- IAN LEWIS Reporter ian.lewis@walesonlin­e.co.uk

THE developmen­t and implementa­tion of medical processes, procedures and treatments, are built on the foundation­s of the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of time invested in research.

For a number of years, Hywel Dda University Health board (UHB) has played an active role in supporting research to improve patient care.

This health board has collaborat­ed with partners including the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to support the delivery of a healthier Mid and West Wales, as well as with Aberystwyt­h University to help transform healthcare with the opening of a clinical research facility.

Earlier this year, Dr Peter Cnudde, a high-volume joint replacemen­t surgeon at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, received funding from Health and Care Research Wales as part of the NHS

Research Time Awards.

The aim of this award is to build research capacity and capability in the NHS by offering staff the opportunit­y to apply for “protected time” to engage in research activity.

Dr Cnudde’s area of research interest is developmen­t of a technology-enabled patient pathway for arthroplas­ty – surgery where the damaged joint is replaced by an artificial one.

He and his colleagues have been developing the health board’s arthroplas­ty service to become a tertiary referral centre, taking on complex cases from within the health board and Powys. He led the implementa­tion of Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) Pathway and the health board-wide patient documentat­ion and informatio­n. Dr Cnudde was offered the prestigiou­s Rothman-ranawat fellowship from the Hip Society (USA).

Dr Cnudde, who was recently appointed an honorary professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University, said: “My current research interests, and past publicatio­ns, are mainly in the field of arthroplas­ty and its long-term effects.

“The aim is to implement value-based changes to improve care of arthroplas­ty patients.

“For both the benefit of the patients and the healthcare system, it is imperative that arthroplas­ty operations are performed on the right patient at the right time using the right implant in the right setting in order to reduce harm to the patient and also minimise both human, economic and emotional costs.

“I wish to expand the research possibilit­ies within Hywel Dda and conduct high-impact clinical trials that will benefit our patients locally but also have global significan­ce. The recent award would give me the dedicated time to expand the research possibilit­ies within Hywel Dda.

“The aim of the research project is to ensure that we are able to adopt a consistent, patient-centred approach, focusing our service on experience, outcomes and values that are important to patients and based on high-quality research.”

Dr Leighton Phillips, director of research, innovation and university partnershi­ps at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “The health board is wholly committed to undertakin­g and supporting research activities.

“We’re very proud of the work that Dr Cnudde and others are doing, and the research and innovation department will continue to closely support him whenever and wherever we can.”

Anyone interested in learning more about how Hywel Dda UHB can support research activities can contact Dr Leighton Phillips via Leighton.phillips2@wales.nhs.uk

 ?? HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD ?? Dr Peter Cnudde, a joint replacemen­t surgeon at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, received funding from Health and Care Research Wales as part of the NHS Research Time Awards.
HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD Dr Peter Cnudde, a joint replacemen­t surgeon at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, received funding from Health and Care Research Wales as part of the NHS Research Time Awards.

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