In August I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Singapore to attend the BMJ International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare. I presented a poster about a service evaluation I had worked on, led by Dr Matt Cooper, which explored a hospital discharge service providing one-to-one, personalised support for carers of people leaving hospital.

The conference theme, moving together toward sustainable quality, emphasised the importance of collaboration across sectors to achieve lasting improvements in healthcare. Many sessions focused on involving patients and carers as partners in care, by embedding lived experience into service design and evaluation to make change meaningful and sustainable. Other sessions explored how to support population health across the life course, recognising the social factors that shape health and the role of community-based care.

These messages echoed the key findings from our service evaluation, which highlighted how person-centred, inclusive support can empower carers to support their own wellbeing and the patient during hospital-to-home transitions. Our approach of working with staff and carers to understand the service’s impact reflected the same emphasis on participation and learning that was central to the conference. For me, a key message was that sustainability in healthcare also depends on continuity, where good care extends beyond the hospital to meet people’s needs in the community.

After the conference I got to explore Singapore and think about sustainability in a different way. The contrast between greenery and skyscrapers, the hawker centres blending food from diverse communities together, and the evening light show through the Supertrees were all incredible reminders the benefits of collaborative design.

I was pleased to be invited to speak at this year’s International Psoriasis Council Symposium, held during the 54th European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) meeting in Antwerp, Belgium. It was an amazing opportunity to share an update on my PhD research, which looks at how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve treatment selection in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that causes red, scaly areas. There are now many effective treatments called biologic therapies, which work by targeting parts of the immune system involved in psoriasis. Despite these options, it can be hard to know which biologic will work best for each individual. Right now, dermatologists often go through a long and costly process of trial-and-error to find the most appropriate treatment. My research is trying to change that by developing an AI tool that can help dermatologists choose the safest and most effective biologic for each patient.

My presentation sparked some insightful conversations, and these continued during the conference’s social events and later at a poster walk where I presented more of my work.

The meeting took place in a very unusual and memorable venue: the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center, which is part of Antwerp Zoo! This venue was complete with dramatic exhibits such as a suspended whale skeleton and a stunning butterfly room.

Over the four days, I listened to inspiring talks from both leading scientists and early-career researchers. It was fantastic to discuss ideas and return with fresh thoughts to shape the next phase of my work. One of the most powerful moments for me was a panel discussion led by women scientists who spoke openly about the challenges and benefits of working in research as a woman.

I had never really thought of visiting Antwerp before, but after seeing its beautiful buildings, fascinating culture, and endless chocolate shops, I’d recommend a visit!

Walking into County Hall, London, on 28th June 2025, I could feel the excitement in the air. Doctors, researchers, and patients had gathered for the Right Treatment: Right Time Annual Psoriasis Meeting, all sharing knowledge about psoriasis—a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches. The main theme of the day stayed with me: giving patients the right treatment at the right time is key to keeping them safe and healthy.

The first talk by Professor Darren Ashcroft really caught my attention. He explained that factors like smoking, alcohol, and being overweight can make psoriasis worse. He also highlighted that other health conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, can influence psoriasis too. For me, this was a big reminder that treatment isn’t just about the skin—it’s about the whole patient. Understanding these links helps researchers and doctors make better choices to keep patients safe.

Next, Dr. Andrew Pink spoke about new treatments and their safety. He explained that biologics, like Icotrokinra (IL-23), and the topical Topinarof, are very well tolerated, while Spesolimab shows good results for a serious type of psoriasis. He reminded everyone that most patients have mild to moderate psoriasis, so treatments must be carefully matched to the right severity at the right time. It was inspiring to see how researchers make patient safety their top priority.

There were also talks by Dr. Thivi Maruthappu on diet and nutrition, and Dr. John Lee, who shared insights from MySkin.org, where patients contribute their experiences. These sessions showed me how listening to patients helps doctors provide the right treatment at the right time—not too early, not too late, and always safely.

In the afternoon, Professor Catherine Smith spoke about how psoriasis and heart disease share the same biological pathways, and Luc Francis, a young researcher, presented his work on biomarkers of remission. Both talks made it clear that timely treatment can prevent long-term health problems.

The day ended with patient panels and expert discussions, emphasizing that patients and researchers working together is essential to improve care.

For me, the conference was more than just learning about new medicines—it was a reminder that every decision in research and treatment should prioritize patient safety. I left inspired to continue my work, making sure that the right treatment is given at the right time, for the benefit of patients everywhere.

Director of EDI for the NIHR Newcastle PSRC and the Newcastle University School of Pharmacy, Lecture in Pharmacy.

As we approach this new academic year, I am filled with intrigue and curiosity at the prospect of attending the equity diversity and inclusivity (EDI) events that are planned, in collaboration between the NIHR Newcastle PSRC and the Newcastle University School of Pharmacy. As Director for EDI, I am passionate about inclusion, diversity, representation and equity within all that we do in the PSRC – that includes the approaches that our team implement within in their research, as well as the support available for our staff and colleagues. I view the collaborative EDI events as a brilliant opportunity to hear from experts and those with lived-experiences and to learn how to make meaningful change towards equitable, inclusive and effective patient care. I am very much looking forward to the events that we have planned for attendees this year.

Deputy-Director of EDI for the NIHR Newcastle PSRC and the Newcastle University School of Pharmacy, Research Associate in NIHR Newcastle PSRC.

I am excited to start my first full academic year as Deputy Director for EDI within the NIHR Newcastle PSRC and the Newcastle University School of Pharmacy. I hope within my role I can support Anna in her Director role and ensure that the EDI strategy is delivered in all aspects of our work. I am particularly passionate about ensuring inclusive research that is translational to practice and building a better future for everyone. The goal of the PSRC is to make real world change within patient safety for patients and the public, of which EDI is a central pillar to this work. The EDI events we will be hosting over the next academic year shine a light on this commitment as we look to learn from those making a difference with their work, inspiring the next generation of pharmacists and researchers. I encourage everyone to attend them if they can and please do reach out with future topics for our next events.

As part of a research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research, Professor Hamde Nazar and Dr Evgenia Stepanova explore what happens to patients during the transition from hospital to home. In this video, they highlight the essential role of involving patients and the public through meaningful PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement).

To ensure a safe and inclusive space for open dialogue, the project established two PPIE groups—a women-only group and a mixed group—each meeting four times throughout the study. These conversations offered crucial insights into real experiences of hospital discharge, revealing gaps in current research and shedding light on challenges that patients regularly face, such as feeling “in limbo”—with limited information, no clear point of contact, and uncertainty about available support.

Hamde and Evgenia reflect on how these contributions shaped the research and deepened its relevance and impact.

Programme Development Grants award NIHR205674 A Pre-implementation Study to develop and test an Integrated Discharge Intervention (PreSIDInt study)

I’m Liam, a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in Acute and Emergency Care at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I split my time between clinical practice (four days a week) and research (one day a week) through the NIHR Newcastle PSRC Patient Safety Development Award. Since graduating from Newcastle University’s School of Pharmacy in 2022, I’ve been building my research career alongside clinical development, driven by a passion for research sparked during my undergraduate studies.

Traditionally, clinical practice and academia have been seen as separate career paths. Clinicians interested in research often had to pursue it in their own time, outside of demanding full-time roles.

The NIHR clinical academic pathway has transformed this by funding protected research time and reimbursing employers, allowing clinicians to step away from practice to pursue research.

For me, this has meant one day each week seconded at NIHR Newcastle PSRC, where I’ve developed core research skills. Working with experienced researchers has helped me understand the full project lifecycle, from shaping early ideas and designing methodology to recruiting participants, collecting data, and writing up results.

Embedding clinicians within the NIHR Newcastle PSRC helps build strong links with partner organisations. Connections with charities and local health and social care providers create future opportunities at both individual and organisational levels. This also broadens the chance for under-represented groups to have a voice, influence practice, and help reduce health inequalities.

At Newcastle University, embedded clinicians benefit from access to leading academics in their field and can learn from their experience. Previously, collaborations were often ad hoc, such as draft reviews or methodology advice. These awards now enable clinicians to work more closely with academics and gain a deeper understanding of research and academia.

Research-active organisations are linked to better patient outcomes. Combining clinical work with research lets me address real issues I encounter in practice, shaping projects that can drive meaningful change.

In acute medicine, I’ve focused on discharge and follow-up challenges. Through the NIHR Newcastle PSRC, I’m now working on a project exploring these issues for homecare recipients and those working in the industry.

Being embedded in both sectors also helps spread research findings more effectively, supporting better service improvements and outcomes.

A key goal is to encourage more healthcare professionals to engage in research. The NIHR clinical academic pathway supports this by offering development alongside clinical roles, leading to qualifications and national research leadership opportunities.