News
Psychosis risk prediction tool could help GPs detect risk of condition early
GPs could potentially use a psychosis risk prediction tool (P-risk) developed by researchers supported by Bristol’s and London’s Biomedical Research Centres to detect whether their patients are at risk of experiencing psychosis. The team developed P-risk to help GPs identify at-risk patients as early as possible. Psychosis…
Recommendations framework for developing accessible patient information leaflets
Researchers at the NIHR Bristol BRC have worked in partnership with National Voices, marginalised community groups and patients to develop a framework of 74 recommendations aimed at designing accessible patient information leaflets for clinical trials. The recommendations are divided into five topics: formatting, information presentation, writing style,…
Health disparities in preterm births in England, study finds
Preterm birth rates are lower than the national average for White women and higher for Black and Asian women, and women living in the most deprived areas according to a new University of Bristol-led study published in published in BMC Medicine. The study analysed data from 1.3…
The UK would benefit from a national database for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that stakeholders were broadly supportive of creating a national linked database for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the UK. The study team consulted a variety of people, including those with FASD, their families, healthcare workers, policymakers, and researchers to…
Addressing frailty in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacements
Researchers from Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter have demonstrated that it would be possible to use a randomised controlled trial to evaluate a prehabilitation programme for frail adults undergoing total hip or knee replacement. Patients taking part in the Joint PREP (Joint Prehabilitation with Exercise and Protein) study found the programme…
Holistic modelling could help shift the dial on obesity
An holistic modelling approach to evaluating obesity interventions could significantly improve policy effectiveness, according to a new paper published in the BMJ. The analysis was led by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded researchers at the University of Bristol alongside Germany’s Agency for Health Economic Assessment…
New name for our local Secure Data Environment as funding confirmed to March 2025
The South West Secure Data Environment (SDE) is the new name for the Great Western SDE. This change of name reflects the SDE’s geographic area in plainer, more recognisable language. The change of name was approved by NHS England in June, alongside confirmation of the SDE’s…
Improving shared decision making in surgery
Shared decision making is when patients and healthcare professionals work together to agree on a treatment plan. It is a collaborative process that aims to make sure patients’ treatment decisions align with their preferences, values and lifestyle. This is particularly important when making decisions to have surgery because the consequences…
Study find incidents of mental illness can increase for up to a year following severe COVID-19
A new study that examined health data on 18 million people reveals higher incidence of mental illnesses for up to a year following severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated people. Vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on mental illnesses. The University of Bristol-led study, published in…