Research and Development is a key to improving care

Research and Development is a core component of our work and it is set out in our corporate vision. In order to be the best Trust we can be, we need to continually evolve and our Research and Development team plays a big part in that.

In the UK, up to one in four adults will experience a mental health problem each year, yet there is still so much to learn when it comes to mental health. Here at BSMHFT we are at the forefront of discovering new ways to improve mental health and wellbeing.

We are actively carrying out extensive research in a range of areas including psychosis, mood disorders, perinatal, epilepsy and Huntington's disease. Our Research and Development team comprises of a range of expertise and experienced staff which allows for the development and delivery of innovative research to improve access to healthcare and understand more about mental health. The team also leads on supporting and approving service evaluations within the Trust from which knowledge gathered can be used to produce recommendations for improvement, inform change and demonstrate achievements and challenges.

It is extremely important to us that service users, carers and staff can input into healthcare developments so that we can improve health outcomes for all. We have a strong regional, national and international reputation for our research. For example, the SARS-CoV2 Immunity and Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) study provided vital research into understanding COVID-19 immunity and vaccine effectiveness nationally. From January 2021-March 2021, 109 of our colleagues participated in this study. Their regular PCR testing and antibody samples have supported data analysis to answer important questions about COVID-19 reinfection whilst also contributing towards understanding the impact of COVID-19 immunity. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff that contributed their time, effort, and commitment to attend our weekly clinics.

We are also delighted to be collaborating with 英国曼彻斯特大学 on a Culturally adapted Family Intervention (CaFI) study, testing a form of talking therapy that is specifically designed to meet the needs of African and Caribbean service users and their families.

The study aims to research the effect on relapse of CaFI compared to usual care among the Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean community diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia. We are currently recruiting a number of our service users from African and Caribbean backgrounds with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis to take part in the study.

We are also recruiting lead therapists to deliver culturally adapted family therapy as part of the research trial and seeking Family Support Members to work with service users who can’t take part in CaFI therapy with a family member. Many service users are keen to take part in research and can find it a positive and empowering experience and we do all we can to provide as many opportunities as possible to participate. For more information on Research and Development see our website .