Externally funded research

The Faculty is engaged in a wide range of externally funded projects relevant to health and social care. Many of our projects are carried out in partnership with health and social care organisations in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

The projects listed on this page are not those undertaken by individual MPhil/PhD students.

Projects A-Z

Academic support for STARNET primary care research network

In 2006 we continued our involvement as an active partner in STARNET, the South Thames primary care research network. STARNET develops research capacity in primary health care professionals working in South Thames. Academic institutions involved in STARNET include St George's HMS and King's College, as well as London South Bank University. Its funding pays for academic staff time to support primary health care professionals to carry out research projects.

Funded by Department of Health, 2002, ongoing.

Project contact

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Director of Institute of Primary Care and Public Health
Tel: 020 7815 8097
Email: rowlang2@lsbu.ac.uk

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Barriers to the uptake of breast screening in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

The study explored the views of women aged 50 to 64 about breast screening in order to establish in what way women who do not attend are different from women who do attend. The study ascertained the views of non-attenders in order to make recommendations to the service which may help address the low uptake locally.

Funded by Lambeth PCT

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Sarah Barter-Godfrey

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Tel: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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Clapham Park Lifestyle Intervention Study

The Clapham Park Lifestyle Intervention (Flora Fit Street, FFS) is multi-faceted lifestyle intervention aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. It provided local residents with the chance to choose to take part in a whole range of activities and classes designed to help the community improve their health. Its recruitment strategy built on the principles of social marketing. Residents were offered an initial screening assessment, and all participants receive lifestyle information and advice covering diet, physical activity and smoking cessation. This included an individual 20 minute consultation with a Registered Dietician and fitness professional at baseline and a follow up at week 12, opportunities for physical activity at no cost or reduced cost and access to smoking cessation support, including free nicotine replacement therapy, if smokers. The consultations follow a motivational interviewing model. Throughout the 12 weeks of the intervention the participants were supported by the FFS team (dieticians, fitness professionals and smoking cessation advisors). Our evaluation examined the effects of participation in the programme on life and lifestyle in the medium term (12 weeks to six months). The results demonstrated positive effects in the short term, that were sustained up to six months. The final report was submitted in 2006.

Funded by Unilever Bestfoods UK, 2004-2006.

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Professor Gillian Rowlands
Dr Nicola Crichton
Sarah Gauvin

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Telephone: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of advanced access in general practice

This collaborative UK study aimed to evaluate advanced access to general practice and its impact on patients, practice organisations, activity and staff. The investigation was based on a comparison of 48 UK general practices recruited through 12 PCTs; half of the practices operated advanced practice and half did not. The study design incorporated several components: surveys of patients, non-users,pratices; discrete choice experiment; observation of case study practices and development of a virtual user involvement model.

Funded by NCCSDO

Project team

University of Bristol: Professor Chris Salisbury, Dr Jon Banks, Dr Stephen Goodall and Dr Helen Baxter
University of Sheffield: Dr Val Latimer, Fiona Sampson and Dr Mark Pickin
University of Southampton: Dr Cathy Pope, Dr Karen Gerrard, Dr Lucy Simons
University of Brighton: Professor Helen Smith and Dr Sarah Edwards
LSBU: Markella Boudioni

Project contact

Markella Boudioni
Telephone: 020 7815 6745 or 4760
Email: boudiom@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of an exercise referral scheme

This study aims to evaluate the impact of an exercise referral scheme over the 12 week duration of the programme and for a further 3 months after completion of the programme. The data collection began in November 2006.

Funded by Fusion.

Project team

Dr Nicola Crichton
Dr Jo Bowtell

Project contact

Dr Nicola Crichton
Telephone: 020 7815 6742
Email: crichtnj@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of Dorothea - Diabetes On Referral Option To Healthy Exercise for Adults

Dorothea is a pilot exercise promotion service for adults with type 2 diabetes in Lambeth and Southwark. Our study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dorothea programme in relation to changes in a range of health outcome including energy expenditure and general health status, as well as exploring barriers (and facilitating factors) associated with uptake of the service and referral to the service by primary health care professionals. Two hundred Dorothea participants were being followed up for 12 months. Results showed positive changes in health outcomes. The final report was submitted during 2006.

Funded by Guy's and St Thomas' Charitable Foundation, 2004-2006.

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Dr Nicola Crichton
Sarah Gauvin

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Telephone: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of pan-London TB Services

This evaluation study has a key aim of scoping the role of TB specialist nurses and identification of their needs for continuing development in the delivery of an evidence based, quality service.

Funded by the Department of Health

Project team

Dr Leslie Woods
Dr Ruth Belling
Professor Susan McLaren

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of Specialist Support Worker Project

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a charity providing housing, care and support services for people with sight loss in the UK. In one of their sheltered housing developments, they have recently created a new post of specialist support worker. It is hoped that this post will enable residents to remain in sheltered housing for longer before transfer to a more supported setting, and will reduce the demand by residents on local health and social care services. The evaluation, with both formative and summative elements, is being carried out by the Institute research team in partnership with the specialist support worker.

Funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, 2004-2006.

Project team

Dr Bob Cant
Sarah Barter-Godfrey

Project contact

Dr Bob Cant
Telephone: 020 7815 8138
Email: cantr@lsbu.ac.uk

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Evaluation of Stockwell Healthy Living Centre

The Stockwell Healthy Living Centre, managed by Lambeth YMCA, aims to act as a catalyst for sustainable change by facilitating community-based health and health promotion initiatives. There are three broad programmes run by the HLC: physical activity sessions at a wide range of different community locations, Breakfast Clubs in schools, and health promotion by community pharmacists. Evaluation work has continued for each of these three components. The physical activity sessions had been successful in achieving statistically significant changes in exercise levels in clients. The final project report will be submitted in Feb 2007. Study team: Professor Ann Taket, Dr Mehul Kotecha.

Funded by NOF, 2002-2007.

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Dr Mehul Kotecha

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Telephone: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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An Evaluation of the Implementation of an Education and Leadership Programme to Enable Nurses to Meet the Emotional Needs of Patients with Spinal Injury

Funded by the Trustees of Stanmore Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.

Project team

Professor S McLaren
E Sooboodoo
K Coultry
A Palmer

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk

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An Evaluation of the National Black and Minority Ethnic Mental Health Network

Continuing work on the user engagement theme within CLPI has seen the initiation of this project.

Funded by Afiya Foundation.

Project team

Dr F Lemma
Professor S McLaren

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk

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Experiences of continuity of care and health and social outcomes: The ECHO study

This is a large collaborative study, involving Oxford University, St George's, the Institute of Psychiatry and LSBU, conducted in two London mental health Trusts. Its main aims are to assess the relationship between continuity of care and their health and social outcomes of individuals with serious mental health problems; and to increase conceptual understanding around the concept of continuity of care. It had four phases. In the developmental phase, user- and carer-generated measures of continuity were produced. In the main phase 278 service users and interviewed at up to three annual time-points to assess continuity received and health and social outcomes. In addition, informal carers completed questionnaires and medical record data was collected. The qualitative phase conducted in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of services users and carers, and the organisational phase conducted a diagnostic analysis. In 2006 the final data were collected, analyses finished and the first draft of final report was completed. Dr Clement has had an active collaborative role in the developmental and main phases of the study.

Funded by the Department of Health, 2002-2007.

Project team

Dr Sarah Clement
Professor Susan McLaren

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk

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Factors affecting uptake and adherence in exercise promotion schemes for people with chronic conditions

The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of the factors underlying lack of uptake and poor adherence to exercise promotion. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews, the study will explore factors supporting uptake and adherence to physical activity for people with chronic conditions and whether/how those are related to demographic characteristics of patients, particularly age, gender and ethnicity and whether/how these vary across different chronic conditions. The sample will be stratified by the three main ethnic groups in the area (white, black African, black Caribbean), gender, and age group (18 to 44, 45 and over). We will also interview a smaller sample of 50 people involved in supporting participants to exercise.

Funded by the Guys and St Thomas' Charity 2006-2009.

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Dr Joanna Bowtell
Claire Pentecost
Kris Dew Valour
Paul Whybrow

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Telephone: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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Focus groups on smoking and ‘Stop smoking Services’ in Southwark

The study aimed to investigate the reasons why current Stop Smoking Services are not taken up , or if used, not necessarily adhered to by potential ‘disadvantaged’ or ‘hidden’ groups of users in Southwark. This was a small scale exploratory study to collect qualitative data to inform the health equity audit and plans for the Stop Smoking Service development. Focus groups were carried out with young people, pregnant women and parents of young people and people who were unemployed and interviews were carried out with male manual workers.

Funded by Southwark PCT

Project team

Dr Wendy Rickard
Nena Foster

Project contact

Dr Wendy Rickard
Telephone: 020 7815 8467
Email: rickarwj@lsbu.ac.uk

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Haemophilia and HIV Life History

This was a one year project to record the life histories of 30 people (mainly men) with haemophilia and HIV living in the UK (2003-6) and is currently being followed by a similar project working with the families and carers of UK haemophiliacs, many of whom have died. (2006-7) The interviews are archived at the British Library Sound Archive and many are accessible on-line for educational purposes via a specialist web-site designed for the project - Living Stories. Themes are also used in educational seminars, CD-Roms and other Publications. The aim of the collection is to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the major medical, political and social issues involved and to capture the material before all the people who have lived through events died.

Funded through the University of Brighton by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Project team

Dr Sian Edwards, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Brighton
Rob James, lay member
Dr Wendy Rickard

Project contact

Dr Wendy Rickard
Telephone: 020 7815 8467
Email: rickarwj@lsbu.ac.uk

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Handling complaints about health and social care

An international study conducted in partnership with the EU, Australia and New Zealand. This study aims to generate evidence to increase the capacity, capability and effectiveness of complaints handling systems from an international perspective.

Funded by the National Audit Office for UK study arm.

Project team

Markella Boudioni
Professor Graham Lister
Dr Fleming Rosleff
Dr Fons Dekkes
Dr Elke Jakubowski
Helen Favelle

Project contact

Markella Boudioni
Telephone: 020 7815 6745 or 4760
Email: boudiom@lsbu.ac.uk

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HIV/AIDS Testimonies Project

The collection adds to an existing British Library archive titled 'HIV Testimonies' recorded between 1995-2000 by Wendy Rickard. The current project aims to follow up 30 extended life history interviews recorded a decade ago, monitoring changes in personal, social, economic, medical, environmental and spiritual issues. It then adds new interviews with those diagnosed within the last decade. The project aims to contribute to current debates about qualitative follow up methodological techniques, digital recording and archiving in sensitive areas and debates about the nature of traumatic memory.

The British Library has pump primed the project 2005-2006 and the Elton John AIDS Foundation is currently funding the project 2006-2007.

Project team

Dr Wendy Rickard
Dr Rob Perks, Curator of British Library Sound Archive

Project contact

Dr Wendy Rickard
Telephone: 020 7815 8467
Email: rickarwj@lsbu.ac.uk

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The Lambeth Community Datanet

This project aims to develop a research and development database by linking patient ethnicity and language preference with GP clinical data from general practices across Lambeth. Studies are currently taking place into inequalities in health in the areas of psychosis and cardio-vascular disease prevention.

Funded by the Guy's and St Thomas' Charity 2004-2007.

Project team

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Nicola Crichton

Project contact

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Telephone: 020 7815 8097
Email: rowlang2@lsbu.ac.uk

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Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Neurodependency' in collaboration with the Royal Hospital For Neurodisability, Putney; an investigation into 'Mood and Food Inter-relationships Following Acute Stroke

This project consists of two studies within the evidence-based practice theme work of CLPI and each continues to progress in collaboration with St Georges Hospital Medical School London.

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk

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Primary Care Research Infrastructure

The aim of this project is to build research capacity within Lambeth and Southwark PCT’s by supporting seconded PCT staff to conduct research projects on topics related to cardiovascular disease or other PCT priority areas. The project involves collaboration between Lambeth PCT, Southwark PCT, London South Bank University and King’s College London. Several research studies and literature reviews are currently underway.

Funded by Guy's and St Thomas' Charity.

Project team

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Dr Nicola Crichton
Amy Scammell
Dr Shamser Sinha

Project contact

Amy Scammell
Telephone: 020 7815 8334
Email: scammela@lsbu.ac.uk

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The Primary Care Research Network Greater London (PCRN-GL)

Professor Rowlands led a successful bid to the UK Clinical Research Network for the PCRN-GL. The network has now commenced and the staff are based in the Institute. The aims of the network are to support the recruitment of patients into well designed clinical studies.

Visit the PCRN-GL website

Funded by the Department of Health 2006-2009.

Project team

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Ana Guerra
Jo Burns
Stefanie Pohlmann
Jamil Ahmad

Project contact

Professor Gillian Rowlands
Telephone: 020 7815 8097
Email: rowlang2@lsbu.ac.uk

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Research versus Audit: How do we tell the difference?

This study aims to develop a tool to help the research community, including researchers, Ethics Committee Chairs and R&D Managers to identify those studies that need submission to an NHS Ethics Committee. The study is being conducted in three phases. The first phase involving interviews with Ethics Committee Chairs and Clinical Governance managers was completed in 2006. The results of the analysis of the interviews formed he basis of a Delphi questionnaire to be used with a panel of experts in 2007 from which the draft tool will e developed. The final phase of the study will involve testing and reefing the tool.

Funded by South East London Strategic Health Authority.

Project team

Dr Nicola Crichton
Jo Reynolds

Project contact

Dr Nicola Crichton
Telephone: 020 7815 6742
Email: crichtnj@lsbu.ac.uk

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Responding to the needs of victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse

The joint Department of Health and National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) Victims of Violence and Abuse Prevention Programme (VVAPP) has been established under the direction of Professor Catherine Itzin in partnership with the Home Office in response to the high prevalence of domestic and sexual violence and abuse and the evidence of mental and physical ill health associated with it.

The aim of the programme is to address the mental and physical health implications of child sexual abuse, domestic violence and rape/sexual assault for services and professionals identifying and responding to the needs of victims, survivors and abusers including children, adolescents and adults both male and female. Its objective is to produce information that will equip professionals and services to make appropriate and effective interventions based on evidence from research collected using multiple methodologies including: critical literature review; service mapping across sectors; and DELPHI expert consultation. Since October 2005, Professor Ann Taket has been engaged in the role of research management consultant to the programme.

The project team is responsible for one of the major research components of the programme, a three round Delphi consultation involving experts by profession and experts by experience.

Funded by the Department of Health, 2005-2007.

Project team

Professor Ann Taket
Sarah Barter-Godfrey

Project contact

Professor Ann Taket
Telephone: 020 7815 8000
Email: a.r.taket@lsbu.ac.uk

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Scoping exercise for the implementation and evaluation of Orchid cancer nurses

This project utilised a multi method approach (systematic review, mapping exercise and expert panel) to explore the potential for role development and evaluation of the nursing role in the management of male specific cancers.

Funded by Orchid Cancer Appeal

Project team

Professor Susan Mclaren
Professor Joan Curzio
Professor Dickon Weir Hughes
Dr Leslie Woods
Ms Bernadette Johnson

Project contact

Professor Joan Curzio
Telephone: 020 7815 5901
Email: curziojl@lsbu.ac.uk

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A Systematic Review of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Gastrointestinal Nursing Role

A systematic review of the literature relating to the effectiveness of this specialsist nursing role. A review has been conducted which is registered with the Cochrane Collaboration (protocol available online).

Funded by The National Association for Colitis and Crohns Disease.

Download A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist Nurses (PDF 409KB - opens in new browser window)

Project team

Dr Leslie Woods
Dr Ruth Belling
Professor S McLaren

Project contact

Dr Leslie Woods
Telephone: 020 7815 6741
Email: woodslp@lsbu.ac.uk

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Transition from Child Mental Health Services to Adult Services (TRACK) : A Study of Service Organisation, Policies, Process, User and Carer Perspectives

This project falls within the organisational change theme within CLPI and builds on the success of the ECHO Project in the field of mental health care, organisational change and service delivery. It has been initiated in partnership with the University of London (St Georges Hospital Medical School, Imperial College School of Medicine, The Institute of Psychiatry and the University of Warwick).

Funded by: NCCSDO

Project team

S Singh
R Belling
T Ford
S McLaren
P Moli
T Weaver
S White

Project contact

Professor Susan McLaren
Telephone: 020 7815 7978
Email: mclaresm@lsbu.ac.uk