Charles Knowles, Barts and the London NHS Trust
Project summary: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a common and distressing condition that is often poorly responsive to changes in diet or drug treatment. New approaches are emerging that employ the electrical stimulation of nerves to improve function and symptoms. Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is now an established (NICE recommended) intervention for FI. Unfortunately it is both expensive and an invasive treatment requiring operations with possible complications. This pilot study will compare the use of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS), a cheaper and less invasive alternative to SNS, using a mixed methods phase II exploratory trial design.
Support given by RDS London: RDS London has supported this project throughout the NIHR grant application process. After reviewing the proposal, RDS London introduced an appropriate senior health economist interested in advising on the project.
“We have found RDS feedback to be very useful after the rejection of this application first time round. We are particularly grateful for their suggestions on the ‘Health Economic’ and ‘Patient and Public Involvement’ aspects of our application. Overall the patient centred approach suggested by the RDS has certainly aided the development of our project and strengthened our final proposal”.
Catherine Oakley, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Project summary: A side effect of cancer chemotherapy is the development of a life threatening blood infection called neutropenic sepsis, which causes a significant number of hospital admissions each year. The delay in patients reporting signs of this infection may exacerbate the problem, causing longer and more costly hospital stays and a risk of mortality. Further chemotherapy treatment may also be delayed, which may affect prognosis. This study aims to understand patients' knowledge of risk of neutropenic sepsis during chemotherapy and how this impacts on their behaviour should they become unwell. The findings will inform models of care to assist early reporting of neutropenic sepsis.
Support given by RDS London: RDS London helped with preparation for the NIHR interview, advising on what to expect and how to focus the presentation as well as guidance on the user perspective.
“I found RDS London hugely supportive; they made some really useful suggestions. The adviser suggested I undergo a mock interview with various professionals including a medical consultant, which was very helpful”.
See our Success Stories page for more profiles on the successful applicants that we have worked with.