The event was aimed at groups who are typically under-represented in research including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists and healthcare scientists. Over 50 professionals from a variety of health and care services attended the event and had the opportunity to listen to talks, share experiences and ask questions.
Keynote speaker, Professor Lynn Rochester, Theme lead for BRC Digital Health, Ageing Innovation and Inclusion theme and an Honorary Consultant Physiotherapist with the Newcastle Hospitals, spoke on the topic of ‘Reimagining Careers in Healthcare: Why Choose Research’. Professor Rochester shared her thoughts on the benefits of being research active including better patient care outcomes, a happier workforce and the benefits to the health and care system.
We then welcomed Dr Amy Brown, Academy Manager at Newcastle Health Innovation Partners (NHIP) who outlined how NHIP, as an Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC), brings together partners in health and care research, innovation, education and training. NHIP coordinates diverse institutions and infrastructures across the North East to support academic careers for health and care professionals.
Dr Amy Brown said:
“NHIP Academy provides bespoke training and support to help you navigate your path from where you are now to where you want to be in your research career. If you are, or aspire to be, on a health and care academic pathway, at any stage in your career, from any discipline, then the NHIP Academy is here to support you; our door is very open!”
Next up we had the pleasure of hearing from our former interns who were recipients of Newcastle Hospitals NMAHP (Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals) Research Internship, a programme which is led by Dr Linda Tinkler, Trust Lead for Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Research. Four internships are available per year and for the last few years, NIHR Newcastle BRC has funded additional places, broadening the internships opportunity to pharmacists and healthcare scientists. The Research Internships at Newcastle Hospitals are now open for applications until Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The former interns Matthew Harris, Karen Hartley, Beth Leeming, Ashley Shield and Stephanie Quinn shared their experience of the programme through fantastic and inspiring presentations which highlighted the importance of networking and not being afraid to ask for help, whether that is a potential mentor, someone whose research you are interested in or for advice.
Attendees were able to choose from a selection of breakout group sessions to explore a topic of interest in more detail or they could take advantage of having time and space for more networking with our speakers and other attendees over coffee.
The NIHR Newcastle BRC also had the opportunity to facilitate a session entitled ‘extending research internships regionwide’ with representatives from the BRC, Cumbria. Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust and Sunderland University.
Finally, the event was rounded off with a panel discussion, with members sharing current and upcoming opportunities. Panel members included: Dr Amy Brown, NHIP Academy Manager, Dr Oonagh McGee, Chief Operating Officer and Academic Career Development Lead at the NIHR ARC NENC, Dr Arthur Pratt, Academic Career Development Lead at NIHR Newcastle BRC and Dr Sarah Sowden, Deputy Director at NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health.
Dr Arthur Pratt, NIHR Newcastle BRC Academic Career Development Lead and Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Rheumatology said:
"This event placed a spotlight not only on the extraordinary research already being delivered by inspirational Health and Care Professional across the North East, but also their amazing potential to enhance the region's translational research portfolio through increased capacity - something the NIHR Newcastle BRC is committed to continuing to support."
Karen Hartley, Paediatric Rheumatology Pharmacist said:
"It was such a useful afternoon and it has inspired me to get back on track and look at some more research funding streams"