Search Results

PPI/E Strategy 2021-2024 summary report The page has a summary of our strategy for involving people in our research - sometimes this is referred to as Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement. We have created a separate page with a detailed version of our strategy which can be used by screen readers, and there is also a glossary to explain some of the language used in the documents. (it might be useful to have this open in another TAB on your browser for reference). If there is something not quite right then email us at arcwessex@soton.ac.uk for help or any comments. Involving the Public in our Research Patients and the public are at the heart of our vision to improve the health and well-being of people across Wessex[i]. The knowledge, experiences and support of patients and the public are essential to ensure that our research goals and solutions are relevant, prevent waste, and bring the greatest possible benefits to society. We use the terms involvement[ii] and engagement[iii] to describe activities that aim to prioritise the public voice in our health and social care research. We aim to deliver high quality public involvement and engagement for health and social care. his document summarises our ambitions and gives a few examples of activities we will deliver in our first year (April 2021-March 2022). We listen to voices relevant to our research priorities that reflect the diversity of the local population – ensuring the underserved[iv] have a voice. This year we will: Work with the leads of each project starting in 2021 to identify who is underserved in the context of each project. We will prioritise the voices of these underserved groups in our involvement activities. Publish guidance documents on how to improve virtual meeting accessibility. Inclusive Opportunities We have a culture that respects different perspectives, values contributions and supports mutually respectful and productive relationships. This year we will: Work with our public members to develop and trial approaches to blending face-to-face and virtual activities as we adapt to changing social distancing restrictions. Develop induction materials that outline the support structures available in ARC Wessex for involvement and engagement activities. Working Together We capture, monitor and share our learnings. This year we will: Adapt an involvement impact tool so we can use it to monitor the impact of our activities. Impact We provide health research communities of Wessex (including public) adequate PPI/E training, support and learning opportunities. This year we will: Develop a course supporting the public with their confidence contributing to virtual meetings. Evaluate a pilot mentorship scheme, where we paired new PhD students with a public partner to provide mentorship in involvement and engagement. Deliver a training course focused on skills for public involvement to our researchers. Support and Learning We use innovative approaches and good communication to stimulate knowledge-of, and interest-in, our research. This year we will: Collect a baseline measurement (ie starting position) of how well feedback processes are embedded in our involvement and engagement activities. This will include understanding how regularly public members are told what difference their contributions have made to research. Communications We involve the public at strategic and operational levels. This year we will: Involve the public in decisions about which projects we will fund this year. Collect feedback from our public members who have strategic positions to understand if they feel heard and included in decision-making. Governance [ii] Public involvement activities describe activities where research is carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them. [iii] Engagement activities describe activities where information and knowledge about research is provided to and shared with the public. [iv] Underserved is the term we have chosen to use to describe people who are less well included in research. It is important to recognise that underserved groups are context-specific. There is no single, simple definition to describe all underserved groups. Want to know more? You can read our full strategy - or download a version as a file. Have questions or comments? Email ppiesupport @uhs.nhs.uk

ARC Wessex is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research. We conduct research together with universities, health and care services, the NHS, charities, people and patients to improve the lives of people in our community. Read about Vikki's work with dementia patients Latest news Compromise shifts the balance for nurses ARC research heads to Westminster to talk about the challenges of over-prescribing medicines. Research input to influence NHS 10 year workforce plan Black History Month: How can we represent your community in research? £16.3 million for health and care research in Wessex ARC Event 2025 - Six years of outstanding research Read more NIHR ARC Wessex in numbers 200+ Members 100+ Academy members £18M Invested in research 155 Research projects How can we help? For professionals & researchers Read more For public & patients Read more For training & development Read more

Guidance for publications As an NIHR researcher you are required to acknowledge NIHR ARC Wessex and inform ARC Wessex when you have submitted a publication. Notification should be sent to arcwessex@soton.ac.uk . When acknowledging the NIHR, please use the relevant statement below ARC Wessex funded projects This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ARC Wessex. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health and Care Research or the Department of Health and Social Care. ARC Wessex adopted projects This study is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ARC Wessex. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health and Care Research or the Department of Health and Social Care. Academic Career Development Awards (Name) received(s) support from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex and funded through an {insert name of award e.g. NIHR ARC Wessex Internship/PhD fellowship, Post Doctoral Fellowship). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or Department of Health and Social Care. For individuals listed as co-funded ARC investigators and where the research output is linked to the ARC Wessex portfolio please use the following This study is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research ARC Wessex. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health and Care Research or the Department of Health and Social Care. Download the Funded by NIHR logo Download

Fellowships and Internships 1) Bitesize webinar series on NIHR Personal Awards Advice and guidance for anyone working in public health, social care, local authorities and the voluntary sector who is thinking of applying for an NIHR Personal Award. Find out about the awards, what the application process entails and what support is available to you before you submit your application. There will also be a Q&A session with experts and existing award holders. 45min webinars will be on applying for: NIHR Personal Awards (overview) NIHR Predoctoral Award NIHR Doctoral Award NIHR Postdoctoral Award There will also be an additional webinar on how to write a narrative CV. Full details can be found on the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health website . 2) UK-wide partnership with the Addictions Healthcare Goals programme We would like to share details of a new UK-wide partnership between the NIHR and Office for Life Sciences (OLS) Addiction Healthcare Goals programme to support individuals from across the UK develop the skills to deliver innovative drug and alcohol addiction research. Through this exciting new partnership, individuals can apply to upcoming career development opportunities at pre-doctoral, doctoral and post-doctoral levels; including the following awards: NIHR Pre-application Support Fund - Cohort 7 now open NIHR Doctoral Award - Cohort 2 now open NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) Award (postdoctoral level award) - due to open in December 2025 NIHR Predoctoral Award - due to open in January 2026 We encourage applications from a broad range of groups, disciplines, professions, and sectors. Visit our website for further details about the recent announcement: New research partnership to tackle drug and alcohol addiction . Join our webinar on 10 November with Dr Beth Harris, NIHR Assistant Director for Academy Programmes to learn more. We're here to help you grow

Ageing & Dementia Theme leads Stephen Lim Theme lead Dr Kinda Ibrahim Deputy theme lead Ageing and Dementia theme webinar Next theme meeting: see events page Learn more about the Healthy Ageing, Dementia and Frailty National Priority Programme Research projects ARC Wessex programme of research on Medicines Optimisation (MODIFY SPiDeR STOP-DEM) Read more Refinement of an eFalls tool - a multivariable prediction model for the risk of ED attendance or in-hospital fall or fracture in individuals accessing mental health or learning disability services - eFalls Read more ADOPTED: Understanding how and why live-in care packages are arranged and sustained, when dementia is the primary support need: A mixed methods study. Read more Developing Pathways for older adults who are also drinking at increased-risk levels Older adults Alcohol Pathway (OAP) Read more COMPLETED ADOPTED PROJECT: Neuro LTC: Assessing Baseline Factors, Critical Events and Fatigue in Long Term Neurological Conditions Read more EnTech (Enabling Technology): Investigating the enabling and inhibiting factors to the use of internet-based support tools for caregivers of people with dementia, and how to promote engagement. Read more The feasibility and acceptability of a collaborative deprescribing intervention to reduce anticholinergic burden among hospitalised older patients. Digital Anticholinergic Reduction Tool (DART) Read more Understanding the Networks, Effects and Teams involved in Community Alternatives to ACute Hospitalisation for Older People in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Region – CAtCH-NET Read more ADOPTED: Mobility assessments in hospitalised older adults: study protocol for an e-survey of UK healthcare professionals Read more ADOPTED: An observational longitudinal cohort study to investigate Cortical Disarray Measurement in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (CONGA) Read more ADOPTED: (SIFT) Sensors in Fatigue Tracking in Parkinson’s. Exploring the relationship between perception of Fatigue and the performance of physical activities in people with Parkinson's with fatigue using wearable sensors Read more COMPLETED: Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: FLOWS Planning for Frailty: Optimal Health and Social Care Workforce Organisation Using Demand-led Simulation Modelling Read more PIVOT: Promoting Increased physical actiVity in hospitalised Older adults with Trained volunteers Read more ADOPTED: SPLENDID Social Prescribing for people to Live ENjoyably with Dementia/memory problems In Daily life Read more ADOPTED: Community Alternatives to aCute Hospitalisation for Older People who have Fallen (CAtCH-Falls) Read more COMPLETED: Wessex Frail2Fit – A feasibility and acceptability study of a virtual multi-modal intervention delivered by volunteers to improve functional outcomes of older adults with COVID-19 discharged from hospital Read more COMPLETED: Developing training for person-centred care: adapting the Chat & Plan for use in domiciliary care Read more COMPLETED ADOPTED PROJECT: Geospatial mapping of emergency calls from older adults to ambulance services in the South Central region, with a focus on people living with dementia: a feasibility study. Read more COMPLETED: Understanding psychosocial determinants of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in older adults: exploring the role of social networks and loneliness in living with AUD (OLA study 2). Read more COMPLETED ADOPTED PROJECT: Optimising Outpatients: Effective service transformation through face-to-face, remote and digital care delivery. Read more COMPLETED: Development of a structured deprescribing intervention for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in primary care (STOP-DEM) Read more COMPLETED: Development, evaluation and provision of an intervention for primary and community NHS staff to help carers and homecare workers supporting people living at home with dementia with their continence. Read more ADOPTED: Incidental Interaction: Novel Technology to Support Elders-as-Athletes through Augmenting Everyday Interactions Read more Wessex NHS Insights Prioritisation Programme Project (NIPP) Read more COMPLETED ADOPTED: Investigating Quality of Care for People with Dementia Undergoing Cancer Treatment in Ambulatory Care (ImPaCT) Read more COMPLETED: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) in mental health settings: an implementation study Read more COMPLETED: Promoting person-centred care using the CHAT&PLAN conversation guide Read more COMPLETED: INVOLVing pEople with cognitive impaiRment in decisions about their hospital nursing care (INVOLVER): a pilot study Read more COMPLETED: Neuro Digital: From Attitudes to Strategies Read more COMPLETED: Neuro Online (Formerly From Clinic to E-Clinic): Evaluating the Implementation of the My Medical Record Platform in Young-Onset Dementia and Huntington’s Disease. Read more COMPLETED: IDA: Implementing a Digital physical Activity intervention for older adults Read more COMPLETED: The ImPACt study - Improving physical activity of older people in the community Read more COMPLETED: CLECC Toolkit and background: Creating Learning Environments for Compassionate Care (CLECC) Read more COMPLETED: StOP UTI project: Strategies in older people's care settings to prevent infection Read more COMPLETED: Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more The PD Life Study: Exploring the treatment burden and capacity of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers Read more DIALOR: DIgitAL cOaching for fRailty (DIALOR) Read more COMPLETED: Material Citizenship Framework Project Read more Mental health hub projects Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into community Read more Publications Read our publications here. Read more

Senior Research Assistant < Back Gabrielle Palermo Senior Research Assistant Ageing and Dementia Gabrielle Palermo is a Senior Research Assistant at the NIHR ARC Wessex Mental Health Hub, University of Southampton. She supports quantitative research on alcohol use disorder in older adults and contributes to other Hub projects involving complex routine datasets, including the OLA study. With over 20 years of experience in applied statistics, Gabrielle specialises in quantitative methods for epidemiological, socioeconomic, and public health research, particularly in the analysis of survey and administrative data. Her expertise includes multilevel modelling, complex survey design for cross-sectional and longitudinal data, data cleaning and linkage, and the treatment of missing data. She holds an MSc in Population Studies and a BSc in Statistics from ENCE–IBGE (Brazil). Her doctoral research focuses on statistical methodologies for unbalanced longitudinal data in sample-based educational panel studies, with emphasis on school effectiveness and pupil mobility. Since 2022, she has worked across multiple departments within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton, contributing to research in epidemiology and clinical trials. Previous Next

Our members Title Partner Organisation Job role Areas of interest Loading...

28e06f68-57c1-47e6-a549-0943eeae5264 COMPLETED: OPTIM Park - Optimization of community resources and systems of support to enhance the process of living with Parkinson’s Disease: a multisectoral intervention COMPLETE: Optimization of community resources and systems of support to enhance the process of living with Parkinson’s Disease: a multisectoral intervention (Linked to PARTNERS) Chief Investigator: Professor Mari Carmen Portillo – University of Southampton Funder : Background: This ongoing project looks at strategies that could help people live with Parkinson’s disease in the community through better use of resources and systems of support. It has worked with other organisations and community groups to test out an intervention to improve the coordination of services and resources for people with Parkinson’s disease, along with their and family carers, in 4 European countries. The overall aim of this project was to establish the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention that will enhance the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their family/carer. It has helped build a multisectoral care pathway. Iin particular it has focussed on how to optimize the use of resources and systems of support in the community, for disadvantaged populations of different European countries. We have looked at personalised assessments of needs and priorities, the role of a Parkinson’s disease coordinator, and navigation of resources in the community. In the UK we are working in collaboration with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System, Solent NHS Trust, and Parkinson’s UK. Who did we work with? Coordinator/chief investigator of the project: United Kingdom : University of Southampton, Professo Mari Carmen Portillo Country leads : Spain: Autonomous University Madrid, Dr Victoria Navarta Sanchez Spain, Fundación La Princesa, Dr Lydia López Denmark: VIA University College, Dr Anita Haahr Norway: University of Oslo, Dr Line Kildal Partners: Parkinson’s disease associations in the four countries What did we learn? During the qualitative phase: 47 people with Parkinson’s disease and 39 family carers were recruited The themes emerged were the following: Personalised care for individual needs Collaboration of different key agents Accessibility of different types of support systems Self-management Intervention 86 participants took part in the intervention (data being analysed) What difference will this make? Based on this project, partnerships between individuals (person living with Parkinson’s disease, family carer, and healthcare professionals) and across sectors in the community were developed. These can optimize the use of resources in the health-care system and personalise the information about disease, treatments, and the use of community resources/professional services in Parkinson’s disease management. A feasible intervention has been developed across countries that could be embedded in care pathways for people with Parkinson’s and carers. What difference can this make to people with Parkinson's disease (PD)? It can promote a change of culture and roles that enables the dialogue between sectors and levels of care It will empower people with PD and families to be at the centre of the decision making process of the multisectoral intervention It can enhance health and create the foundation of a transformative framework of bottom up strategies to create an overarall approach across Europe. This could enhance equity, continuity and transparency, as well as mobilise resources in health and social care. This would have a clear impact on people with Parkinson disease and families’ to make important decisions on their care and improve quality of life What's next? This project has become the basis of a submission for futher funding to test our intervention with people with MLTCs Multiple Long Term Conditions (MLTCs ) and how to implementation it Our partners hope to develop and implement a digital tool, through cross sector collaboration, to improve: - support and self-management for people with Long Term Conditions (LTCs) - communication and quality of cross sector care Publications Management of Parkinson’s in the Community: Interests and Expectations of People Living with Parkinson’s, Family Carers, Healthcare Professionals and Stakeholders in Spain - Azucena Pedraz-Marcos, Ana María Palmar-Santos, Mari Carmen Portillo, María Victoria Navarta-Sánchez, 2025

News Latest opportunities Collaboration hub Inclusion Comms PPIE Hub Analytics KM RCD

Web-based Implementation Toolkit (WIT) Quick links: Project Outputs Buy-in and Engagement Fit with Health and Social Care Systems Alignment with Health and Social Care Priorities Outcomes and Impact Adoption and Spread Checklist, webinar and resources Quick links: Project Outputs This Web-based Implementation Toolkit (WIT) is designed to be easy to use and intended for a variety of users, projects and settings where implementation is planned or being considered. Implementation is the attempt to introduce a new intervention, innovation or policy developed through research and apply it to health and/or social care and the third sector. WIT provides you with an interactive Implementation Wheel, Checklist and bite-size Webinars (average 10 minutes) to support you through your implementation journey. Who is WIT for? WIT recognises the need to provide freely available, accessible and simple to use tools that focus on key considerations at the outset of a project. WIT was through interactive workshops with health and social care professionals, third sector organisation professionals, academics and members of the public. Anyone looking to understand more about or engage in implementation. Why use WIT? When to use WIT Adoption and Spread Project Outputs Buy-in and Engagement Fit with Health and Social Care Systems Alignment with Health and Social Care Priorities Outcomes and Impact implementation Implementation is the attempt to introduce a new intervention, innovation or policy developed through research and apply it to health and/or social care and the third sector. co-produced Co-production refers to a way of working together, often with service users, to reach a collective output. testing From the beginning – when first considering and designing a project Throughout all stages of your implementation journey and beyond To guide you through implementation considerations for your project There are six wheel domains to help you consider what is required for implementation. Click on a domain segment to find out more. How to use WIT Use the interactive Implementation Wheel, Checklist and bitesize Webinars to support you on your implementation journey and beyond. The six Wheel domains can be used iteratively, and in no particular order. The Checklist is downloadable and consists of the same domains as the Wheel. You can use this to complete with your team and check progress of your implementation journey. The Webinars , approximately 10 minutes duration, provide sessions relating to the six Wheel and Checklist domains and also to an introduction to implementation and implementation theories and frameworks. Hover on keywords to see definitions Other words in bold represent key learning points The Resources section provides suggestions for other resources you may find helpful. Feedback via our short survey If you fulfil the criteria on the attached poster , Researchers from the School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton/NIHR ARC Wessex would like you to test WIT by providing feedback via a short survey . Or alternatively scan the QR code. Thank you. Contact us If you have any questions about WIT, please contact: C.F.Brooks@soton.ac.uk Disclaimer The development of WIT has been supported by the NHS Insight Prioritisation Programme (NIPP). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of this website. How to cite Brooks, C.F., Lund, S., Kryl, D., and Myall M. (2023) Web-based Implementation Toolkit (WIT). University of Southampton. Available at: www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/web-implementation-toolkit Accessibility We are committed to providing a website that is accessible to as many people as possible. We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of the website.

b4eba41c-3299-4935-88f1-36d55163f934 MODIFY: The development and iMplementation Of a multidisciplinary medication review and Deprescribing Intervention among Frail older people in primarY care COMPLETED: MODIFY: The development and iMplementation Of a multidisciplinary medication review and Deprescribing Intervention among Frail older people in primarY care Principal Investigator: Dr Kinda Ibrahim Project team : Eloise Radcliffe, Dr Simon Fraser , Clare Howard , Professor Paul Rutter , Professor Susan Latter , Claire Sheikh , Dr Lawrence Brad , Dr Mark Lown , Dr Alejandra Recio-Saucedo , Dr Kat Bradbury , Dr David Culliford , Dr Maria Chorozoglou , Cynthia Russell (PPI lead). Further PPI involvement from:Pam Holloway, Neil Wilson, Rajneesh Kaur Additional support from Renee Servin and Lucy Murphy (Medical students) Partners: University of Portsmouth, Westbourne Medical Centre, Wessex Health Innovation Network, PresQiPP, NIHR CRN Wessex Summary of findings - download plain text summary 1 in 3 people aged 65 and older take 5 or more medicines every day (polypharmacy). Some of these drugs may no longer be appropriate. They could increase the risk of falls, hospital admission, or even death, especially among people who are frail (and less able to recover from injury and illness). Deprescribing (reducing, stopping or switching drugs) is safe for some conditions, medications and in settings such as primary care. But Health Care Professionals (HCPs) may face problems with carrying this out. Problems may include a lack of time for HCPs, and HCPs and patients may be concerned about stopping medication which was first prescribed by a specialist. Previous research highlights that this problem could be addressed by teams of HCPs from different disciplines, including practice pharmacists, working together on the medication review and deprescribing process. The research team reviewed 28 studies on older people in primary care to explore what makes medication review and deprescribing work best in a team of HCPs. Alongside this, the research team carried out in-depth interviews with ten older patients and three of their family carers, and focus groups with 26 health care professionals working in eight different GP practices. This helped the team to understand different experiences of medication reviews and deprescribing, and how this process can work best. Based on the results the team suggested ways to improve deprescribing in primary care. They include: clear roles and responsibilities for HCPs, with good communication between team members, and pharmacists integrated within teams training and education on deprescribing for HCPs routine discussions about deprescribing when prescribing, with medication reviews tailored to patients’ needs and preferences, and addressing any questions or concerns involvement of patients and informal carers, and trusted relationships with professionals allowing continuity of care. Based on the results the research team developed an intervention to improve medication review and deprescribing for older people with frailty and taking 10 or more medicines, to target those who would benefit most. The intervention has five phases: 1) Identification on practice databases of older patients aged 75 and over living with frailty, prescribed 10 or more medications, to be invited for a medication review 2) Preparation for HCPs, through using deprescribing tip sheets and a digital tool to help prioritise medication for deprescribing (with training provided) 3) Written information leaflet sent to patients and carers about the purpose of medication review and the reasons for potentially stopping or changing medications 4) The HCP (mainly a practice pharmacist) will conduct a person-centred medication review taking into account patient and carer needs and preferences. They will involve other HCPs members based on their expertise, and document and share any agreed changes with patients and other staff members if needed; 5) Tailored written follow-up plans to be given to patients and carer, and further contact arranged if needed. See NIHR Alert - How to deprescribe in Primary Care which features this research How we shared these findings Conferences and dissemination to Health Care Professionals •European Clinical Pharmacy Society conference, October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic 2022 (oral and poster) •Faculty of Medicine Conference, University of Southampton, June 2023 (oral and poster) •Health Services Research and Pharmacy Practice conference, Cork, Ireland 2023 (oral and poster) •ARC Wessex collaborating for impact showcase event, June 2023 •Society for Academic Primary Care conference, Brighton, July 2023 •South West Society for Academic Primary Care conference, Cardiff Wales, March 2024 •International Conference on Deprescribing, Nantes, France September 2024 Other presentations and talks •Invited to present MODIFY at the Society for Academic other presentations Primary Care Medicines Optimisation Special Interest Group, 12th March 2024 •Invited to present on deprescribing at the CRN national event on Multimorbidity in May 2023. •Invited to present MODIFY at the CRN coordination Wessex Pharmacy Research Network meeting, 28th February 2024 •Presented MODIFY during a meeting with Prof. Tony Avery, the National Clinical Director for Prescribing, 1st March 2024 •Shared learning on MODIFY with Prof David Alldred and his team at Leeds, Jan 2022 •Introduced MODIFY at the Health Innovation Network Polypharmacy Community of Practice meeting, July 2022 Publications: We published our findings from our realist review in BMC Geriatrics: What makes a multidisciplinary medication review and deprescribing intervention for older people work well in primary care? A realist review and synthesis Plos One publication (April 2025): Development of a complex multidisciplinary medication review and deprescribing intervention in primary care for older people living with frailty and polypharmacy Our publication was selected as an NIHR evidence alert, and promoted more widely on social media to health care professionals and policymakers: How to deprescribe inprimary care - NIHR Evidence Education of undergraduate an postgraduate students •Plenary talk on polypharmacy and deprescribing to year 1 medical students in May 2024 •Invited talk by University Hospital Southampton at a General Internal Medicine Training day 16th September 2024, MODIFY presented to over 100 trainees Public and patient engagement Presentation and discussion of MODIFY at a Community medical science engagement session with 12 older people (via Communicare, a local social service organisation on 4th September 2024) The project has prompted Bob Heath to write a song about deprescribing - which was played at the ARC Event 2025 Bob and Peter Heath wrote this song about deprescribing Lay Summary or research protocol Background: A third of older people take five or more regular medications (polypharmacy) potentially increasing the risk of side-effects, hospital admission and death. These effects are higher among people living with frailty who lose their in-built reserves and become vulnerable to changes triggered by small events such as a change in medication. National recommendations suggest that medications taken by frail older people should be reviewed annually by their GPs to identify and reduce/stop inappropriate medications (deprescribing).Yet this does not happen routinely due to GPs’ lack of time, increased workloads and worries about stopping medicines. Recent recommendations suggest involving other non-medical prescribers such as practice pharmacists and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) in reviewing medications. However, it is unknown how staff could work together most effectively and whether they have any training needs. Aim: This research will investigate how practice-pharmacists, ANPs and GPs could best work together with patients living with frailty to perform regular medication review. Methods The study involves four work packages (WPs). We will review previous literature to identify what makes a successful medication review and how to safely reduce/ stop inappropriate medications (WP1). Interviews with GPs, practice-pharmacists, ANPs, frail older patients and carers will be conducted (WP2). These will discover views about where medication review should take place, the role of each of the involved parties in the process, type of medications that could be deprescribed, staff development and training needs, barriers and facilitators for implementation, and strategies to address these barriers. Information gathered from WP1&2 will be used to develop the intervention: a structured medication review process using pharmacists, ANPs and GPs most effectively and involving frail patients and their families in decisions about medications (WP3). The intervention will be refined further through a series of workshops with service users, clinicians and commissioners. A training programme to implement the intervention and increase staff confidence in reducing/ stopping medications safely will be developed and delivered to GPs, practice-pharmacists and ANPs based on the Polypharmacy Action Learning Sets approach adopted by the Wessex Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) . Finally, we will assess whether itis feasible and acceptable for staff in four GP practices to be trained and to implement the intervention with their patients (WP4). Public Patient Involvement: Three PPI members have been involved in protocol development and refinement and will continue to contribute to the research study by for example being involved in developing research instruments and monitoring recruitment. Dissemination and Impact: Working with colleagues in the Wessex AHSN and local clinical commissioners, we will be able to share our findings and training programme to the wider research and clinical community in Wessex and potentially influence practices and policies both locally and nationally. Ibrahim, K., Cox, N.J., Stevenson, J.M. et al. A systematic review of the evidence for deprescribing interventions among older people living with frailty. BMC Geriatr 21, 258 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02208-8 Pazan, F., Petrovic, M., Cherubini, A. et al. Current evidence on the impact of medication optimization or pharmacological interventions on frailty or aspects of frailty: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 77, 1–12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-020-02951-8 Radcliffe E, Servin R, Cox N, Lim S, Tan QY, Howard C, Sheikh C, Rutter P, Latter S, Lown M, Brad L, Fraser SDS, Bradbury K, Roberts HC, Saucedo AR, Ibrahim K. What makes a multidisciplinary medication review and deprescribing intervention for older people work well in primary care? A realist review and synthesis. BMC Geriatr. 2023 Sep 25;23(1):591 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04256-8

f06fb2ad-c8c9-436f-982c-c278b7185585 ENRICHER – involvEment iN the cRiminal justice system & the ImpaCt on women’s Health dorsEt & hampshiRe Chief Investigator Professor Julie Parkes Professor in Public Health Head of School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine University of Southampton, South Academic Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Dr Emma Plugge Associate Professor in Public Health School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education Faculty of Medicine University of Southampton, Co-Investigators Dr Donna Arrondelle , Research Fellow, University of Southampton Dr Naomi Gadian, Public Health Specialist Registrar, University of Southampton Donna Gipson, Director EP:IC Consultants Ltd, West Malling, Kent Dr James Hall , Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Southampton Paula Harriott , Head of Prison Engagement, Prison Reform Trust Professor Kathleen Kendall , Professorial Fellow of Sociology as Applied to Medicine, University of Southampton Dr Sara Morgan , Associate Professor in Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Professor James Raftery , Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Dr Lucy Wainwright , Director of Research, EP:IC Consultants Ltd, West Malling, Kent Starts: 1st April 2023 Ends: 30th September 2024 Summary This study will look at what happens to women’s health and wellbeing when they are imprisoned. The imprisoned women will be women from Dorset and we will compare any changes to changes in women from Hampshire who go to Hope Street instead of going to prison. Hope Street is a charity-funded alternative to prison, available only to women from Hampshire; women live in special accommodation in the community where they are secure and where they are able to access a range of health and social care services. Women who go to prison are often from the poorest communities and they often have many different health problems, particularly relating to their mental health. These health problems are often related to their crimes and so by making sure they get the services they need, this will help their health improve and benefit wider society by helping tackle crime. This study will ensure that this new and unique information is available to those who plan and deliver health services locally. The Southampton research team on this project are carrying out a 5-year evaluation of Hope Street. This means they can use the data that they are collecting as part of this evaluation on the health of women at Hope Street to compare to women from Dorset who are imprisoned. Researchers will collect information on the health and social care needs of the two groups of women at the same time intervals over a one-year period and in the same way. We will then compare this information to look for differences. We will interview the women so that we understand what their experiences are like in prison or Hope Street, and why there might be differences. We will also look at the cost of their care. The information from our study will help the professionals who plan health and social care services and also those who work in criminal justice settings such as prison or probation. Women with experience of imprisonment are part of the eight-person study team. They have helped design the project and will be working with Hope Street women to train them in research. They will also be important in spreading the word about the study. This will enable us to reach not just academic audiences and policy makers through publishing in journals or presenting at research conferences, but also people with lived experience of imprisonment and charities that work in this area. Informing a wide range of people will be important in ensuring that the findings from this study are acted on.