Clinical research event showcases past successes and future opportunities in cancer care

Healthcare professionals and cancer care staff gathered in Sheffield last week for a health and care research event.

We supported the day, hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance. The event - aimed at those involved with delivering cancer care within the region - showcased how clinical research has helped to improve the efficiency of cancer care and patient experience.

The event also looked forward at exciting, emerging opportunities by launching a competition to win six-months funding for time to develop a new research project.

Weston Park Cancer Centre Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Professor Jonathan Wadsley, said: “I am delighted so many cancer care colleagues were able to gather to celebrate the breadth of outstanding work carried out across the network and learn more about clinical research taking place right here in Sheffield. It’s essential we take the time to ensure teams are learning about past, present and future research opportunities which benefit the local population.”

Event attendees heard from a range of keynote speakers, including the Radiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medical and Nursing Teams at Weston Park Cancer Centre and Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre.

We have supported the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre (CCTC) at Weston Park Cancer Centre since its inception nearly 25 years ago. Through funding a range of posts from research nurses to data managers, in order to help the CCTC run cutting-edge clinical trials and support the ongoing efforts to improve cancer treatment.

Our team hosted a session on reaching hard-to-reach communities and the Big Purple Bus project – which takes our healthcare professionals and advisors out to communities around the region, helping to ensure people across South Yorkshire have equal access to cancer support services.

Our CEO, Emma Clarke, said: “Weston Park Cancer Charity has been a proud supporter of the work undertaken at the CCTC. It’s fantastic that the charity was involved in such a positive day focused on celebrating industry achievements but most importantly, looking forward at future research that will go onto impact patients at Weston Park Cancer Centre in years to come.”

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Medical Director (Development) Dr David Black said: “This event brought together leading clinicians, academics, practitioners and scientists from across the region to reaffirm the importance of our cancer services and showcase how research, innovation and optimisation of care are at the core of everything that we do.”

Other sessions throughout the day focused on clinical trials, improving patient experience and clinical academic career development. There was also a presentation of 20 posters celebrating the breadth of outstanding work carried out across the network.