News Archive
As part of the SWAN agenda in the School of Nursing and Midwifery an Internship Scheme has been developed to encourage students with an interest in research to work alongside experienced researchers to gain experience and build networks for future collaboration. SWAN aims to foster an ethos of gender equality across the University and mainstream exemplar equality practices. Students can either apply to work for a short period in the School at a time organised by themselves and an identified researcher or apply for a longer summer programme. Conall O'Rouke was offered a role as a summer intern and his experience is detailed below.
Testimonial From Conall;
My name is Conall O’Rourke and for the past six weeks I have been an intern on the Music in Mind project summer scheme, held in the school of nursing and midwifery. I am a second year psychology student in Queens and first heard about the scheme through an email sent around my year. I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first day and was more than a little nervous but my past experience in SPSS and statistics, gained through my degree, ensured I had the skills necessary to complete the work.
The project itself looks at the core question facing music therapists today “Does music therapy help young people who go to children and young people’s services?” Through a six week programme and subsequent testing the project is exploring both the short term and long term effects of such therapies for young people aged 8-16. My role was largely data entry and consisted of scoring a range of depression, self-esteem, and other personality tests before entering and organising the raw data in an SPSS database.
In addition to the useful experience gained, which will be invaluable for my final year thesis, one of the major benefits of this internship was the chance to meet with and build contacts with other PhD students and researchers working in the school. Where before I had little understanding of the workload of research, or even what’s involved in a PhD, this studentship afforded me an insight into both of these areas. It provided a wealth of useful and practical advice and has helped direct me towards a future career in this area.
For further information on the Research Internship Scheme please contact Dr Helen Noble at helen.noble@qub.ac.uk or Dr Fiona Lynn at f.lynn@qub.ac.uk
The School of Nursing and Midwifery (QUB) is holding its 1st annual postgraduate research conference on Wednesday 29th January 2014 (9:30am – 3:00pm).
This student led initiative, funded by the International and Postgraduate Student Centre, QUB aims to recognise the contribution of postgraduate students to the research profile of the School. It also provides an excellent opportunity for contributors to develop their presentation and communication skills in a supportive environment. Delegates will also have the opportunity to meet and integrate with students from the various postgraduate programmes within the School. All students who submit an abstract will be guaranteed either an oral or poster presentation at this event. The conference committee (Gary Mitchell, Michelle Templeton and Helen Kerr) have secured two vouchers for an overnight stay for two people including evening meal and breakfast, at Jury’s Inn Belfast. These will be awarded for “Best Oral Presentation” and “Best Poster Presentation” on the day.
Please see the event flyer, call for abstracts flyer and abstract submission template for more details.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, has welcomed more than 400 delegates from 35 countries around the world to Belfast Waterfront for the 8th International Neonatal Nursing Conference. The four-day global event, which bring doctors, midwives, nurses and other neonatal specialists together to share their knowledge, best practice and experience in this important area, was secured by Belfast Ambassador Professor Linda Johnston from Queens University with the support of Visit Belfast and the wider conference and hospitality industry.
Lord Mayor, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, said:
“This significant conference reflects Belfast’s status as a leader in this specialist area and the important contribution which our own professionals make in the advancement of neonatal care.
Maternity and neonatal intensive care units in Belfast have contributed to some of the most important research in the history of improving care for babies and their families and many units are currently engaged in world-wide clinical trials to determine ways of improving outcomes for these patients.
Thanks to the work of one of the City’s Ambassadors, Linda Johnston, and the efforts of Visit Belfast we are now able to welcome these international visitors to Belfast. We join previous host cities such as Sydney, Washington and Seattle in promoting access to quality neonatal care for all babies and we are delighted to welcome everyone involved.”
The busy schedule of events includes a series of pre-conference workshops at Hastings Europa Hotel, a reception and full conference programme held at the Belfast Waterfront and a gala dinner at Titanic Belfast.
Pictured with Lord Mayor Mairtin O’Muilleoir are Rachael Downing, director of business tourism at Visit Belfast, Professor Linda Johnston, head of the school of nursing and midwifery at Queens University Belfast, Doctor Margo Anne Pritchard from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research and Jennifer Patterson from Belfast Waterfront.
The Fatherhood Institute have recently highlighted a briefing paper developed by researchers here at the School of Nursing and Midwifery. The paper entitled 'Understanding Fatherhood in the 21st Century' was prepared by Colin Shaw and Dr Maria Lohan. Labelling it as 'outstanding', the Institute go on to explain that the policy briefing has summarised the research evidence and made recommendations for concrete changes in policy and practice for Northern Ireland.
To read the full news report please click here
PhD Studentship: Ethical Conflicts Experienced by Healthcare Workers and Family Carers of Residents requiring Palliative/End of Life Care in Care Homes
Cancer Nursing, Supportive and Palliative Care
We invite you to apply for a PhD studentship within our Cancer Nursing, Supportive and Palliative Care team in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to build a research career in health science. This studentship is funded by Queen’s University Belfast. Applicants must have at least a 2:1 honours degree or Masters in the field of Nursing, Applied Health Sciences or Cognate disciplines, such as psychology or qualifications and experience considered by the University as equivalent to that standard.
To be eligible for consideration for a studentship candidates must have been ordinarily resident in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) since September 2010 (with no immigration restrictions). The successful applicant will receive a three year studentship which will cover UK/EU tuition fees (£3,900 per annum) and a stipend to cover living expenses £13,726* per annum. The studentship should preferably start 1st October 2013.Please click on the link to download the University Research Studentship Guidelines.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/PostgraduateCentre/PostgraduateFunding/
If you wish to be considered for a studentship, please complete the online application, by clicking the following link. https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/
In support of your application please email a covering letter explaining why you want to undertake a PhD in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, to Ruth Erwin r.erwin@qub.ac.uk
The closing date for receipt of online applications and covering letters is Friday 26 July 2013.
Sexual and Reproductive Health of Children and Young People Special Interest Group, Annual Public Lecture (2013)
The Sexual and Reproductive Health of Children and Young People, special interest group held their Annual Public Lecture on Tuesday 11th June, 2013. The event was very well attended with an interdisciplinary mix of researchers from across the schools within Queen's and representatives from outside organisations that have a particular interest in young people's sexual health, such as the Public Health Agency, Brook, Rainbow Project and the Health and Social Care Trusts to name but a few.
The group was proud to welcome Dr. Karen Lorimer from Glasgow Caledonian University as guest speaker, Dr Lorimer, a sociologist by background, currently leads the Sexual Health theme in the Institute for Applied Health Research, and the development of a Sexual Health Research Network (SHRN) in the UK. Karen is a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Young Academy of Scotland where she chairs the Health and Wellbeing working group and a member of the Global Young Academy (2013-2017).
Dr. Lorimer spoke of her work on improving the sexual health of the population and the importance of involving young people in sexual health research. Convener of the special interest group, Dr. Maria Lohan from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s commented "This was a student led event, organized by Michelle Templeton a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and supported by the Improving Children’s Lives Initiative at Queen’s. The annual public lecture has become a great opportunity for researchers, practitioners and policy makers to listen to some new research and to engage in a lively debate about sexual and reproductive health. We'd like to thank all who attended this year."
PhD Studentship: Ethical Conflicts Experienced by Healthcare Workers and Family Carers of Residents requiring Palliative/End of Life Care in Care Homes
Cancer Nursing, Supportive and Palliative Care
We invite you to apply for a PhD studentship within our Cancer Nursing, Supportive and Palliative Care team in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to build a research career in health science. This studentship is funded by Queen’s University Belfast. Applicants must have at least a 2:1 honours degree or Masters in the field of Nursing, Applied Health Sciences or Cognate disciplines, such as psychology or qualifications and experience considered by the University as equivalent to that standard.
To be eligible for consideration for a studentship candidates must have been ordinarily resident in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) since September 2010 (with no immigration restrictions). The successful applicant will receive a three year studentship which will cover UK/EU tuition fees (£3,900 per annum) and a stipend to cover living expenses £13,726* per annum. The studentship should preferably start 1st October 2013.
Please click on the link to download the University Research Studentship Guidelines. http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/PostgraduateCentre/PostgraduateFunding/
If you wish to be considered for a studentship, please complete the online application, by clicking the following link. https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/
In support of your application please email a covering letter explaining why you want to undertake a PhD in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, to Ruth Erwin r.erwin@qub.ac.uk
The closing date for receipt of online applications and covering letters is Friday 31 May 2013.
We would like to congradulate all those who have won prizes in our recent raffle to celebrate International Nurses and International Midwives Days 2013. Below is a list of winners;
| School of Nursing and Midwifery | |
| PRIZE | WINNER |
| Voucher for Deane's at Queens | Sarah Gorman |
| Voucher for Deane's at Queens | Laura Fawcett |
| Voucher for Deane's at Queens | Paul Gallagher |
| Voucher for Clements | Leah Larkham |
| Voucher for Clements | Julie Quail |
| Voucher for Clements | Megan Blinn |
| Food Voucher for Speakeasy | Juliet Alexander |
| Food Voucher for Speakeasy | Danielle Mullen |
| Pair of tickets for Tom Stade (Mandela Hall 1 June) | Sally Todd |
| 6 week membership of PEC QUB plus sports bag | Sharon Moore |
| 6 week membership of PEC QUB plus sports bag | Niamh Byrne |
| 6 week membership of PEC QUB plus sports bag | Marie Claire Patterson |
| Annual membership of QFT | Hannah-Grace Shaw |
| Annual membership of QFT | Niamh Bruton |
| 1.2Gb Pen Drive | Karen Palmer |
| 1.2Gb Pen Drive | Sheree Chadwick |
| 1.2Gb Pen Drive | Sharon Mullen |
| 1.2Gb Pen Drive | Patricia McConnell |
| 1.2Gb Pen Drive | Rachel Smyth |
The School of Nursing and Midwifery is pleased to announce two scholarship awards for students to undertake the MSc Advanced Professional Practice commencing in September 2013.
For more details (click here)
PhD Research Student Gary Mitchell
PhD Title: An ethnography of communication processes involving the management of oral chemotherapeutic agents by patients with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Supervision Team: Professor Sam Porter and Professor Elizabeth Manias.
Gary is currently in the 2nd year of his PhD studentship with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queens University Belfast. For his PhD Gary is carrying out research on communication processes between patients and carers and healthcare professionals about oral chemotherapeutic medications. Gary recently won the Marcia Mackie award which he will be using to exchange and collaborate with the University of Melbourne, Australia.
The purpose of Gary’s visit will be to carry out research with healthcare professionals about communication practices in the Australian healthcare system. This research will seek to uncover health professional views about current communication practices with patients and their carers about oral chemotherapeutic medications. Gary will be collaborating with Professor Elizabeth Manias at Melbourne University. They will be conducting a number of focus-group interviews with healthcare professionals (to include nurses, physicians and pharmacists) at an oncology unit in a hospital in Melbourne.
The data collected from this project will have the potential to be analysed alongside data Gary will have already collected as part of his PhD therefore enabling a contrast between Australian and UK healthcare professional views on practice. It is anticipated that this exchange will also provide an opportunity to identify areas of mutual interest that may be amenable for collaborative research between Belfast and Melbourne in the future.
Student Midwife Alison Rodgers Wins Calvell Award
We would like to congratulate Student Midwife Alison Rodgers who recently received a Cavell Scholarship Award in the Outstanding Student Midwife Category
The Cavell Nurses’ Trust supports the UK’s 650,000 registered nurses, midwives, health care assistants together with retired and student nurses. The Awards scheme was launched in the UK for the first time this year, aimed at recognising exceptional student nurses and midwives, the Awards are designed to help nursing and midwifery students at the start of their careers and are open to students currently studying nursing or midwifery on undergraduate/postgraduate or diploma courses at Universities in the UK.
Alison was awarded a prize in the Outstanding Student Midwife Category; which recognises the enthusiasm and willingness to question practice that students bring to midwifery. The winning candidate is judged to have a professional attitude, a love of midwifery, an advocate for women throughout their birth experience and act as a role model to others. Alison beat stiff competition from other Universities throughout the UK to successfully receive the runner-up prize, which was presented by Lesley Paige, President of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) at an awards ceremony held in London’s Fishmongers Hall.
Alison is a second year Midwifery Student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, although originally from Northern Ireland, she resided in Australia for many of her school years. She is a student representative for the RCM, and has spoken at the Annual RCM conference.
Alison says
”It means a lot to me to have received this award mostly because I love midwifery so much. My worst fear when I was starting the midwifery program was that I would be terrible at it but when you are fortunate enough to be supported in applying for and then receive an award you think, well I must be doing something right! The BSc Midwifery Sciences program at Queens is excellent. The teaching staff is a very knowledgeable and supportive group! I can't imagine completing my training anywhere else!”The Music in Mind Research Project, based in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, is funding a summer studentship for 2013. The successful applicant will receive remuneration of £150 per week for a full-time studentship for 8 weeks. Their primary duties will involve the entry of data into a data base.
The application process is now open. All applications should be submitted to Ms Grace Heatley in the School of Nursing and Midwifery (email address: g.heatley@qub.ac.uk) by the 3rd May 2013.
Applications must include:
(i) a cover letter explaining why you wish to participate in the summer studentship;
(ii) an up-to-date CV;
(iii) academic transcript with all results including January 2013 examinations.
Eligibility criteria:
- · Students must be currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree in the university in health or social sciences, including psychology.
- · Students must have had experience of using data bases. Experience of SPSS is desirable.
The Music in Mind project is designed to establish through a randomised controlled trial if music therapy benefits the communicative skills, self-esteem and social functioning of children and adolescents with mental health difficulties. It will do this by comparing outcomes of those who receive music therapy with those who do not receive music therapy.
The trial is being carried out in partnership with the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. It is jointly sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The research team is led by Professor Sam Porter, Chair of Nursing Research.
The trial protocol has been published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(10): 2349-2358.
Interested in studying for a PhD in the School of Nursing and Midwifery? We have a number of opportunities open for people who want to start a research career in nursing. At least one and hopefully more of the following topics will be funded through a Department of Employment and Learning studentship.
- Cancer and psychiatric co-morbidity – pathways from help-seeking and service utilisation to patient outcomes.
- Exercise prescription and adherence in children with chronic and life-long conditions
- Testicular cancer – identifying survivorship needs
Applicants must have a 2:1 undergraduate degree and / or a Master’s degree, preferably in nursing or a cognate area. Training in research methods at Master’s level is also desirable. Selection of shortlisted candidates will involve an interview. For a full award (fees and stipend), applicants must have been resident in the UK for three years. Details of PhD studentships covering tuition fees and maintenance for home and EU students (subject to the Department for Employment and Learning UK residency rules), can be found at http://www.delni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-higher-education/postgraduate-studentships-terms-conditions.htm. Successful applicants must meet the DEL criteria.
If you wish to be considered for a studentship, please email Gillian Higgins at g.higgins@qub.ac.uk by the 16th February 2013. In that email you should provide the following details:
- The subject and classification of the degrees that you hold.
- Any other postgraduate qualifications that you have attained.
- Details of research methods training that you have undertaken, including the marks that you were awarded.
- Details of any experience that you have in carrying out research.
- A short paragraph explaining why you want to undertake a PhD in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
School of Nursing and Midwifery Conference
The School of Nursing and Midwifery will host theninth Annual Cochrane in Ireland Conference, Cochrane Reviews: Making an Impact, on Friday 25 January 2013 inthe Canada Room/Council Chamber.
Workshop3 – ‘Teaching EBP at Undergraduate Level – Aligning Theory and Practice’
JoanneCleary-Holdforth and Therese Leufer – School of Nursing and Human Sciences,Dublin City University
Registration for the conference closes on Friday 18January. For full details on speakers, workshops and how to register (click here)
The following scholarships are available to students:
1. University Travel Scholarships – Emily Sarah Montgomery, Sir Thomas Dixon & First Trust (Closing Date: 30 Jan 2013)
For more information (click here)
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2. Alan Graham Fund Travel Scholarship (Closing Date: 30 January 2013)
For more information (click here)
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3. William and Betty MacQuitty Scholarship (Closing Date: 24 January 2013)
For more information (click here)
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Exceptional Circumstances Things don’t always go to plan during your time at University; something may happen that has an impact on you personally or your academic progress. Changes have been introduced to the way undergraduate and postgraduate taught students make the University aware of exceptional circumstances significantly impacting on their coursework or exams, and the way the University considers these circumstances. (Click here) for more information |
Queen’s University Belfast invites applications from outstanding Chinese students from Project 985 and 211 universities to pursue PhD study at Queen’s University Belfast in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC). There are up to 20 fully funded three year research studentships, commencing October 2013. The studentships provide fees and living costs.
For more information: Click here
Research Internship Scheme
Join our new scheme
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your research skills and gain insight into a research career at one of the UK's leading Universities. Our research internship scheme is aimed at Queen’s University undergraduate students in the School of Nursing & Midwifery.
(Click here for more details)
Please note that application to the following degree programmes is now through UCAS and applicants should apply online at www.ucas.com on or before 15 January2013.
Applications submitted following this date will not be considered:
BScNursing (Adult) (September) B740
BSc Nursing (Adult) (February) B74A
BScNursing (Children's) B730
BScNursing (Learning Disability) B761
BSc Nursing (Mental Health) B760
BSc Midwifery B720
The newly published National Student Survey showed 100% of those studying nursing across the adult,children’s and mental health first degree courses had agreed with the statement“overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course”.
Comparatively few nursing courses gained the 100% statistic in the independent survey, with midwifery sciences at Queen’s University Belfast and nursing studies (child nursing) at University of Surrey also among the select group.
Read More? (click here)
The School of Nursing and Midwifery is pleased to announce a scholarship award for a student to undertake an extended critical review of the literature as their dissertation module for the MSc Advanced Professional Practice commencing September 2012. The scholarship is funded by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care as part of a large research study evaluating a care pathway for patients suffering from cancer-related cachexia. The student will be carry out a 15,000 word realist review of the literature in relation to psycho educational interventions to improve the experience of refractory cachexia for patients and their relatives. The Scholarship will cover the fees for the dissertation module.
For more information (click here)
School receives a Silver Athena SWAN award
The School of Nursing and Midwifery have been awarded a prestigious Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in Science in higher education. The School was previously awarded a Bronze award in 2010 and having successfully implemented their Bronze action plan to promote good practice and support career progression and success for women within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the School was awarded Silver in 2012. SWAN Champions Dr Jenny McNeill and Dr Valerie Holmes, together with the School Self Assessment Team prepared the application for Silver. The School will receive their Silver award at an Athena SWAN awards lunch, hosted by Queen’s University Belfast in September 2012.
To contact the SWAN Champions about their application or SWAN activities please email v.holmes@qub.ac.uk or j.mcneill@qub.ac.uk
To connect to the Athena Swan - School of Nursing & Midwifery site, click here
The Student Nursing Times Awards 2012
Claire Buchner and David Marshall from Queen’s School of Nursing and Midwifery have been shortlisted in the category of Lecturer of the Year. This award is sponsored by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. For more informations see http://www.nursingtimes.net/
Second year PhD student Clare Mc Veigh has been awarded the £2000 Marcia Mackie Studentship Benevolent Fund for Nurses in Northern Ireland. This travel award is sponsored by The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. Clare is carrying out bereaved family carer research into non-malignant respiratory disease for her PhD. She will be using the award to exchange and collaborate with the Centre for Palliative Care Research in Melbourne, Australia. The Centre for Palliative Care Research based at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne carries out research involved in improving outcomes for patients who require palliative care and their family caregivers.
Karen McConnell, Nursing and Midwifery PhD student, was awarded the Marcia Mackie Studentship in April this year allowing her to travel to Australia in the autumn. The studentship will facilitate discussion and exploration of research opportunities with distinguished researchers from The University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in relation to the epidemiology, assessment and treatment of cerebral palsy (CP) in children and young people.
During her visit, Karen will meet with therapists and researchers who have utilised constraint induced movement therapy, a novel treatment for children with CP that she is investigating as part of her PhD. She will also meet with researchers who have been involved in developing and validating measurement tools for children with CP which will include a visit to the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. Karen will also link up with the Melbourne CP register. She anticipates that the visit will greatly enhance the writing up of her PhD and provide her with an international perspective on rehabilitation of CP. It will also provide an opportunity to identify areas of mutual interest that may be amenable for collaborative research between Belfast and Melbourne.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery is pleased to announce a scholarship award for an international student to undertake a PhD in the School over a period of three years, commencing September 2011. The scholarship will cover both international tuition fees and a stipend of £13,590 per annum. The area of research that the student will undertake is as follows:
BUBS: Bringing Up Baby after Surgery
For Further information on this Scholarship please click here
Dr Bronagh Blackwood
A systematic review undertaken by researchers from Queens has shown that the time spent receiving mechanical ventilation can be reduced by about a quarter when standardised weaning protocols are used in comparison with usual practice.
The review was led by Dr Bronagh Blackwood from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, together with Drs Peter O’Halloran and Fiona Alderdice also from Nursing; Dr Chris Cardwell from the School of Medicine; Dr Gavin Lavery from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Trust; and Dr Karen Burns from University of Toronto, Canada. They looked at 11 clinical trials involving 1971 patients. The trials compared the use of protocols to wean intensive care patients from the ventilator against usual practice and were conducted in America, Europe and Australia. Published in the British Medical Journal (details of which can be found here), the review showed that in comparison with usual practice, weaning protocols reduced the average total time spent on the ventilator by 25%. The duration of weaning was reduced by 78% and length of stay in the intensive care unit reduced by 10%.
Dr Blackwood explained that many critically ill patients require mechanical ventilation to help with their breathing. However, ventilation brings additional risks such as mechanical injury to the throat or vocal cords, injury to or infection of the lungs and complications of prolonged patient immobility. It's important, therefore, to reduce and stop ventilator support (known as weaning) as soon as a patient is able to breathe independently. Weaning from mechanical ventilation is an enduring challenge for patients in the intensive care unit. For a number of years using clinical protocols to guide practice has been suggested as one way to reduce the length of time patients spend on a ventilator. For the first time, this review brings together the best current evidence on the use of protocols. It asks the question: Can the use of protocols by both doctors and nurses reduce time spent on the ventilator and length of stay in intensive care without an increase in adverse events? Broadly speaking, the answer this review gives is 'yes'.
However, the research team found that reductions were not consistent across all studies. There was considerable variation in the types of protocols used, the criteria for considering when to start weaning, the methods of weaning, the medical conditions of the patients and usual practice in weaning. This means that caution needs to be applied when generalising findings to other intensive care units. Nevertheless, although the review provides some answers, it raises a number of intriguing questions that require further exploration: What is the optimal weaning protocol? Which patient groups will benefit most from the use of protocols? How does organisational context affect successful implementation?
The study was funded through a Cochrane Fellowship award for Dr Blackwood by the Research and Development Office, Northern Ireland and the Health Research Board, Ireland.
A new report published by medical journal The Lancet this weekend, reveals women with type 1 diabetes, who are at high risk of pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery, will not have their risk lowered by taking vitamin supplements C and E.
The report, involving researchers from the Centre for Public Health and the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust also found, however, that vitamin supplementation could be beneficial in those women with low levels of dietary antioxidants in their blood and that this possibility needs further investigation.
" The causes of pre-eclampsia are not known, but it has been suggested that oxidative stress, (where free radicals harm cells), might play a key role in the development of the condition.",according to Dr Valerie Holmes from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast.
In 1999, a small trial suggested that vitamin C and E might reduce pre-eclampsia in all pregnant women, not just those with type 1 diabetes. Since then however, subsequent larger trials found no benefit of vitamin C and E supplementation during regular pregnancies.
Several previous research studies had also previously suggested that because type 1 diabetes is associated with both increased oxidative stress (and a reduction in antioxidants), antioxidant vitamin supplements could improve outcomes for these women.
To investigate further, the Diabetes and Pre-Eclampsia Intervention Trial (DAPIT) study group examined the benefits of 1000mg vitamin C and 400 IU (international units) vitamin E in 762 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, recruited from 25 UK antenatal clinics in the UK. Women were randomly assigned to vitamins (379) or placebo (383) daily from between 8 and 22 weeks until delivery.
Overall, findings showed that the rate of pre-eclampsia was similar in both groups (15 per cent vs 19 per cent). In women with low antioxidant status at the start of the study however, taking vitamins was associated with a significantly lower risk of pre-eclampsia.
There was no evidence of harm from vitamin supplementation to either mothers or babies. Antioxidant vitamins did not increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy (11 per cent vs 11 per cent) and actually tended to reduce the risk of having a low birthweight baby (6 per cent vs 10 per cent). Additionally, fewer babies were born preterm to women taking vitamin C.
Professor Ian Young from the Centre for Public Health, Queen’s School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences said: “Dietary intervention rich in various antioxidants might have benefits that cannot be replicated by individual supplements. Alternatively, prescription of antioxidant vitamins at 8–22 weeks’ gestation might be too late to affect the pathological process for most patients with diabetes.”
“In principle, the notion that oxidative stress is implicated in the cause and development of pre-eclampsia remains plausible, but the benefit of vitamin supplementation might be limited to women with vitamin depletion; however, this idea needs confirmation.”
The research was presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Florida. The article has been published online first in The Lancet.
For further information please contact Dr Valerie Holmes. v.holmes@qub.ac.uk
The number of referrals for trauma-related support as a result of the violence in Northern Ireland has increased by 34 per cent in the last year.
The figure relates to referrals made to the WAVE Trauma Centre. According to WAVE Chief Executive Sandra Peake, the referrals are largely the result of a “ripple effect” from cases being addressed by the Historical Enquiries Team.
The figure has been revealed ahead of an event at Queen’s today attended by actor James Nesbitt.
The event will highlight the launch of a new Trauma Training and Learning Pathway delivered by WAVE, and financially supported by the EU PEACE III Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Community Relations / Pobal Consortium.
Speaking ahead of the event, James Nesbitt, who is patron of WAVE said: “Events like this are vital in showcasing how expertly-led programmes, held in the true spirit of partnership, are vital in forming a better society for all in Northern Ireland.
“Their collaboration in the field of trauma studies has a real, tangible impact on the lives of those who they care and support on a daily basis. It is vital that the forthcoming Executive recognise this and enable this unique, vital and valuable work to continue.”
James Nesbitt will be in conversation with former BBC security correspondent Barney Rowan at the event.
Marianne Moutray, Director of Education in Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s said: “In Northern Ireland the need to deal with the past is growing in emphasis. I am proud that WAVE, Gaslight Productions, and Queen’s through its School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work are making a real difference in assisting and enabling our local communities to resolve at least some of the pain of the past.
“For the first time Social Work students will be trained by members of WAVE who have had direct personal experience of the troubles. They will gain an invaluable insight into what life is like for the many they may well be helping in their future career.
“Such initiatives are vital to the future success of our health and caring professionals. I hope today’s event will encourage more people from the healthcare field, the emergency services and the victim survivor community, to come on board and continue this crucial and necessary work which is set against the context of the violence experienced by many in Northern Ireland”.
Sandra Peake, Chief Executive of WAVE, said: “For many of those affected by the Troubles, the past is not in the past, it forms the present and it needs to be addressed in order that individuals can progress to the future.
“Today’s event will highlight the positive and often transformational effects our trauma-studies programmes have on people who access our services and study on our courses. It is also a celebration of the trauma training courses we run in the community and of course, the launch of our PEACE III European Union funded training and learning pathway which works across Northern Ireland and the border counties to provide specialist trauma training programmes and equip members of the community to assist with learning from the past in order to shape our future.
“The work undertaken as a result of the collaboration between WAVE and all our partners offers a real opportunity to assist communities and also to contribute to an overall societal response in dealing with the past. I would like to thank James Nesbitt for his ongoing support in highlighting this important and very real issue and hope it will stay as a priority on the political agenda.”
Also speaking at today’s event will be Dr Karen Murphy from New York, Director of International programmes for Facing History and Ourselves and students who have benefitted from the courses on offer.
Further information on studying Trauma Studies at Queen’s is available online at the School of Nursing and Midwifery website via www.qub.ac.uk
Further information on WAVE can be found online at http://www.wavetraumacentre.org.uk/
Media inquiries to Lisa McElroy, Senior Press Officer, 028 9097 5384 or m07814 422 572, lisa.mcelroy@qub.ac.uk
Queen’s University is to play a major role in the biggest trial ever conducted to investigate how music therapy can help children and young people with severe mental health problems.
Researchers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s will work on the project with Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust (NIMTT), a charity providing music therapy services to people with disabilities and disorders who have profound communication difficulties.
NIMTT has been awarded £326,164 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Research programme, to carry out Music in Mind - the largest study ever undertaken into the effects of music therapy on children and young people with severe mental health problems – with Queen’s and the Belfast Trust.
The therapy will be trialled over a three year period on over 300 children and young people to test whether it improves their communication, self-confidence and self-esteem.
The Queen’s research team is being led by Professor Sam Porter and includes psychologist Dr Katrina McLaughlin and Dr Valerie Holmes, who has extensive experience in carrying out major trials.
Professor Porter said: “The role of the Queen’s research team is to take an impartial and objective look at whether or to what extent music therapy improves the communication skills of children with severe mental health problems.
“Research to date has not been able to conclusively answer these questions so this is why the Queen’s trial is of such importance.
“The Music in Mind trial is by far the largest ever conducted in this area. Its size means that it will be able to generate results in which commissioners and practitioners of health care can have confidence.
“It is a landmark in the scientific investigation of music therapy. Given that music therapy is practiced around the world, the significance of its results will be global.
“Through our dynamic partnership with the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, we have the opportunity to position the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s as the world-leader in this very important area of health care research.”
NIMTT Executive Director Fiona Davidson explained that the findings of the pioneering study will have the potential to improve the psychiatric services provided for children and young people in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
“The report by the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland in 2005 showed that 20 per cent of children and young people in Northern Ireland are experiencing severe mental health problems by their 18th birthday.
“The impact of 30 years of conflict also continues to have an effect on communities in Northern Ireland.
“We want to show that music therapy can improve young people’s communication and mental health and their ability to work with other psychiatric services such as counselling. Music therapy builds a new language of communication for people who can’t use words or find it difficult to express how they feel.
“We hope that the findings, which will be presented to professionals and policymakers in Northern Ireland and further afield through an international conference, will if positive, lead to an increase in the provision of music therapy across the UK. Currently, attracting Government funding for music therapy is very difficult and this sort of evidence is increasingly required given the competing demands on health service funding.
John Devine, Principal of Edmund Rice PS, on the Antrim Road in the New Lodge Road area of north Belfast, said he had seen a marked improvement in the communication and confidence of pupils who have taken part in music therapy.
“I hope this research will prove the benefits that music therapy brings to the lives of young people. This school is in an inner city area - the fifth most deprived area in Northern Ireland.
“The legacy of the Troubles has been passed down through the generations and continues to affect young people today. Some young people struggle to cope with the everyday interactions involved in school and society.
“We have children here who can be completely introverted and find it difficult to socialise and mix with their classmates. We also have pupils who can be complete extroverts and can be aggressive towards others.
“From the minute they go to the therapist we see a change in them. They look forward to going to the therapist and return to class settled and more receptive. They are more relaxed, so their learning improves, and the learning of everyone around them improves.
“Consequently when parents, used to the problems of difficult behaviour, hear their child is doing better in school they themselves take more of an interest in school life.”
The funding is part of a grants roll-out of over £20million across the UK from the Big Lottery Fund’s Research programme which supports high quality social and medical research projects across the UK.
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School of Nursing and Midwifery
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BT9 7BL
Email: nursing@qub.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)2890972233
Fax:+44 (0)2890972328
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