The University Hospital of Wales has achieved a great deal during its forty year history.But there’s more to come in terms of improving healthcare and developing the drugs and treatments of tomorrow according to the Health Board’s head of research.
Professor Jonathan Bisson, Director of Research and Development for Cardiff and Vale UHB and Cardiff University School of Medicine, said he has seen how the developments and discoveries made at UHW are changing how people are treated not only in Cardiff
He said: “I think it’s very very exciting at the moment. The pace of change and working in Cardiff with the close alliance of the UHW and Cardiff University
As a teaching hospital and centre for research UHW has developed close links with Cardiff University
Professor Bisson said that UHW was recognised internationally for its excellent research in various areas and that there were a number of exciting examples of major research happening in Cardiff with cutting edge work in mental health, genetics and cancer research amongst others.
He said the work being done by Health Board and University staff in haematology was at the forefront of helping to develop new drugs.
“This is leading to increased benefits and increased survival for sufferers of some very major cancers.
“Another example is medical genetics which has got cutting edge capabilities to sequence genes for example, and again this has been very very helpful to the clinical management of patients.”
Professor Bisson said that there were numerous benefits for the Health Board and University in the collaborative approach but also for patients too.
He said: “There are clear benefits for patients by having this link between the UHB and University. There is actually work being done that shows that patients involved in research have better outcomes than those that aren’t. Undoubtedly think that having an environment and culture that is very supportive of research is a very positive thing both for staff and for patients.
“As time has gone on we have got better at working together, the portfolio of high quality research has increased and is increasing, and now we’re able to translate major local research findings into clinical practice and really impact on the well-being and the health of the population.”
With researchers and clinicians working side by side UHW has enjoyed significant investment in cutting edge technology over the years, investment that has been converted into improved patient care.
Professor Bisson explained: “Technology has been very important in shaping UHW. We’ve got access now to state-of-the art facilities such as the PET scanner which is excellent from both a clinical perspective and a research perspective.
“I think it’s a very good example of how new technologies are being brought in and we’re looking at their potential both to help the health and well-being of patients but also to further our knowledge through research.”
The collaboration between the Health Board and University continues to develop with the two organisations sharing a number of buildings and facilities on the UHW site.
Professor Bisson is convinced that the two bodies will build on their close relationship and success of the last forty years to secure an even more productive future.
He said: “I think there’s great potential for growth between Cardiff University
“By actually performing research people here are introduced to new treatments early on in their development and that makes the translation from research to routine practice easier to achieve.
“I think there are great opportunities locally to continue to do this and I think the partnership should allow us to push the barriers in the future.”
