Southampton researchers have joined a call for urgent action to improve care around pregnancy for women with type 2 diabetes. The call follows a new consensus statement developed by an expert group of clinicians and researchers from the UK and Ireland. This includes researchers in Southampton. The statement sets out critical gaps in current knowledge around care for women with early-onset type 2 diabetes. It also lays out clear priorities for future research. This could help to improve support for these women and their babies. Urgent need to rethink care Type 2 diabetes in women of reproductive age is rising. Yet evidence to guide safe and effective care across pregnancy is limited. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a young age increases the risk of serious problems during pregnancy. It also raises the risk of long-term health problems for both mothers and their babies. The consensus statement was published last week in Diabetic Medicine . It brings together evidence from three large systematic reviews. It also draws on expert and audience discussions at the 2025 Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference. Dr Danielle Schoenaker contributed to the statement. She is a researcher at the University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The statement highlights an urgent need to rethink how care is designed and delivered for women with early-onset type 2 diabetes. It covers the care they receive before, during and after pregnancy. Claire Meek is Professor of Chemical Pathology and Diabetes in Pregnancy at the University of Leicester. She receives funding from the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. She says a lack of evidence leaves women and clinicians navigating pregnancy with too little support. “Women with early-onset type 2 diabetes are often managing complex health needs at a young age. Yet the systems around them are not designed with that reality in mind,” she said. “We need coordinated, evidence-based care. This needs to starts before pregnancy, continue after birth, and recognise the wider social and cultural barriers many women face.” Recommending changes The group identifies several priority areas. They say research and service change in these areas would make an immediate difference. Priority areas include improving access to care before pregnancy, known as preconception care. They also suggest increasing support to achieve a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy. Another priority area is strengthening postnatal follow-ups after birth. The researchers say this would help to reduce long-term risks, such as cardiovascular disease. The statement also stresses the importance of addressing inequalities. These include those linked to deprivation, ethnicity, language barriers and access to healthcare. The group emphasise that listening to women’s experiences must sit at the heart of future work. Many women report feeling judged or stigmatised, or poorly informed about pregnancy risks. They also report feeling unsupported once specialist maternity care ends. Calling for action The consensus statement calls on funders, policymakers and healthcare leaders to act now. It warns that without targeted investment, preventable harms to women and babies will continue to rise. “Too often, support begins only once a woman is already pregnant,” said Dr Schoenaker. “But for those with early-onset type 2 diabetes, the greatest opportunity to improve outcomes for mum and baby starts much earlier. “We are calling for preconception care to become a routine and accessible part of diabetes care. “This would give women and their partners the time, information and practical support they need. It would allow them to optimise health before pregnancy and make informed decisions together. “By embedding preparation into everyday care and support services, and addressing the social barriers many families face, we can shift from risk management to prevention. This would give parents and babies the best possible start.”

By Dr Nat Easton Image credit: UK Parliament / Parliamentlive.tv For the past 18 months, I've been an NIHR Southampton BRC Bridging Fellow. My research focuses on air pollution. I investigate the potential health effects and spatial distribution of different pollution sources. I am an early career researcher at the University of Southampton and a Specialist Policy Officer with Public Policy Southampton (PPS). Increasingly, I have dedicated my time to knowledge exchange. In particular, I'm supporting knowledge mobilisation for policy impact. Inquiry opportunity One of our key roles as Policy Officers in PPS is to screen consultations and support researchers in their submissions to inquiries or calls for evidence. A fantastic opportunity arose to submit proposals to the Environmental Audit Committee on what their next Parliamentary Inquiry should be on. The topic area was fairly broad, requesting submissions on any topic in the areas of ‘climate change, the environment and nature’. From those proposals, up to 10 individuals were invited to pitch their proposal to MPs themselves. Just one would be chosen to form the basis of the new inquiry. I supported a total of four submissions, with my colleague in PPS supporting a further two. In total there were over 200 proposals submitted to the committee. We were delighted to discover that the submission authored by Prof Matt Loxham and myself on air quality was selected by the committee to pitch. Image credit: Clean Air Programme, Southampton As such a key environmental challenge, it was unsurprising to discover we were not the only air quality submission. We were invited, along with the other proposal authors, to join a one-hour meeting. During this meeting, we agreed on a strategy, turned our 12 individual submissions into a new one-pager, and decided on two people to represent the group. This was a very interesting group of people, mostly from NGOs - many of whom had worked extensively with each other before. There was only one other academic, and one representative from local government. There were also people representing the professional bodies of The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM). The group decided that my positions jointly as an air quality researcher and policy officer, as well as my recently awarded Honorary Fellowship from the IAQM, placed me well to represent the coalition. Alongside me, we elected Jemima Hartshorn, founder and director of Mums for Lungs, an NGO campaigning for cleaner air to protect children’s health. Preparing the pitch The pacing of this became very rapid. We first met as a group for that one-hour meeting on a Wednesday lunchtime. We had 24 hours to finalise our new one-pager, despite many of us juggling other commitments. By the Monday lunchtime, we had to submit our PowerPoint slides to the committee. The actual pitch was on the Wednesday - just seven days on from learning we were the ones delivering it! Somewhat fortunately, both Jemima and I were at the Royal Society of Chemistry. We were both attending the Air Quality in the 21st Century conference, where I was giving a presentation on the toxicology of port emissions in Southampton. We briefly slipped out to make some final edits and got the file submitted. Over a string of calls, we practiced our 10-minute pitch over and over (with some respite on Tuesday morning to attend my daughter’s play!). On the Wednesday, after another quick briefing and run through in a coffee shop, we made our way to Portcullis House for our session. Pitching to Parliament We pitched our talk around the 70th anniversary of the first clean air act, which occurs in 2026. We also focussed on how high the health, economic and environmental burden from air quality is. As a duo, we had great synergy. Jemima was able to emphasise that it was people who ultimately pay the price for poor air quality, and I backed her up with the evidence. As we were representing a coalition, we were well placed to highlight the challenges across the sectors and mutual desire for further action. There was a total of five pitches, each with a 10-minute pitch followed by 10 minutes of questioning by the MPs. Others’ pitches covered ancient woodlands and peatlands, data centres, UK-EU cooperation on the environment, and climate and multi-hazard weather risk. A winning outcome Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long too for the outcome, as we received the news the following day. From over 200 submissions, down to five pitches, ours was the winning pitch! It has formed the basis of the new inquiry. It was a fascinating, stressful and rewarding experience which has led to a very positive result – allowing 2026 to start with optimism. Perhaps the most reassuring aspect, as a female early career academic with a young child, was that we, as two women both juggling childcare, life and other work commitments, were able to bring this together at such short notice and secure such a positive outcome. The full pitch can be viewed on Parliament TV here . The outcome video from the Environmental Audit Committee is here . Thank you to all members of the coalition: Clean Air Fund; Clean Air in London; Global Action Plan; Mums for Lungs CIC; London Borough of Camden, Hackney, Islington, Hammersmith & Fulham, City of London Corporation, City of Westminster, the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) & IAQM, the Healthy Air Coalition, Impact on Urban Health, University of Southampton, and Royal Holloway, University of London.

Researchers have paved the way for a new system to monitor the health of people trying for a baby around the world. For the first time, researchers have identified a list of essential indicators. These could be used globally to monitor people’s health before pregnancy. The work is set out in a new paper published in The Lancet . It has been led by researchers at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and UCL. Optimising health before pregnancy More women are becoming pregnant with health conditions that can complicate pregnancy and birth. It is therefore important to ensure people are as healthy as possible before trying for a baby. Dr Danielle Schoenaker at the University of Southampton and BRC is lead author on the paper. “There is growing evidence that supporting people to optimise health before and between pregnancies can improve pregnancy and birth outcomes, and also reduce intergenerational inequalities and chronic disease risk,” she said. “But without the right monitoring systems, governments and health services cannot easily see whether their policies and programmes are working.” Working out what works globally The researchers had previously looked at relevant health indicators already monitored in England. These include smoking rates, and the use of folic acid supplements before pregnancy to reduce birth defects. They used their findings from this to produce a report on the state of the nation’s preconception health. This was published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in England in 2022. “We now need international agreement on which indicators we should measure and monitor,” said Dr Schoenaker. “Then countries can learn from each other and identify policies and programmes that work.” “If implemented, these metrics could steer future investment in care and support before pregnancy and parenthood, with a view to reducing health inequalities and improving health for future families.” Asking people what matters to them The researchers asked over 5,000 people what factors would matter most to them before a pregnancy. These people lived in 13 different countries. These were Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, South Africa and the USA. They found answers to their surveys were remarkably consistent across countries and genders. Mental health, physical health, supportive relationships and finances were consistently prioritised. The researchers therefore suggest these are important factors that monitoring systems should reflect. Professor Judith Stephenson from UCL is senior author on the paper. “Indicators relating to conception tend to be from a health professionals’ perspective,” she said. “We have, for the first time, produced a set of agreed metrics which reflect the views of the general public.” Using the indicators The researchers will finalise a list of indicators during an international workshop later this year. They will do this with other researchers, clinicians, policy makers and members of the public. They will call on agencies responsible for national health surveillance to incorporate the indicators, where possible, into existing infrastructures. These will include the World Health Organisation and the NHS. This will enable monitoring of health worldwide before pregnancy.

A new study is challenging the traditional approach to pregnancy care, which focuses solely on mothers’ behaviours. Southampton researchers and international partners have highlighted the important role of fathers. The study has been published today in The Lancet .  It suggests that providing more support for fathers could help to improve the health of the next generation. Focussing on fathers Professor Keith Godfrey is a senior author of the study and a researcher at the University of Southampton (UoS). He leads the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre's nutrition, lifestyle and metabolism theme. “Research into the influence of fathers on pregnancy and parenthood has previously been neglected,” he says. “Now this is changing, it is becoming clear that fathers have a real impact on pregnancy. Their own health and behaviours, like their weight, whether they use substances, and their age can influence pregnancy and child outcomes - not just the pregnant person’s. “For some aspects, the influence of the father is even stronger than that of the mother. Some of these fathers’ effects are linked to experiences from their own childhood.” Starting before pregnancy The period before pregnancy is known as ‘preconception’. It provides a valuable time to prepare for parenthood. This includes for fathers-to-be to improve their own health. The researchers gathered evidence from biological, behavioural and social sciences. They used this to create a framework for men's role before and during pregnancy. Dr Danielle Schoenaker is a co-author of the research. She is a researcher at UoS and the BRC. “Our findings show that a man's early life experiences, including stress, physical and mental health, environment and education influence his health during his reproductive years,” she said. “These factors can, in turn, affect his partner's health and health behaviours (such as prenatal care) before and during pregnancy. They can also have direct biological effects on the developing infant.” Reducing health disparities The study was led by Jonathan Huang, Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii. “Racism and colonialism have disrupted family and community roles for many Black and brown men. This has created barriers to addressing their health needs,” he said. “This disruption underscores the need for culturally grounded approaches. Policies and programs are needed to strengthen family and community bonds, while centring the health and wellbeing of men within their cultural roles.” The research was carried out by an international team. This included collaborators in Southampton, University College London, the United States, New Zealand and Singapore. The researchers emphasise many different people have a role in improving preconception health. These include policymakers, public health agencies, clinicians, researchers and men themselves. “Investing in the wellbeing of boys and young men is key to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for future generations,” said Professor Godfrey. “Raising awareness about the importance of men’s health does not diminish the critical importance of women and pregnant persons’ wellbeing. “Rather, it serves as a collective call to ensure that men and partners are equipped to be supportive partners, allies and caregivers before, during and long after pregnancy.”

Research is stepping out of hospitals and into the heart of our communities. This approach is helping to break down barriers, tackle health inequalities and ensure discoveries benefit everyone. Caroline Tiza is a Senior Engagement and Inclusion Manager at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). She shares insights from a recent community workshop in St Denys, Southampton.   Embedding research inclusion in our workforce It is vital that we increase research awareness and inclusion within under-served communities. In our region, we have a growing scheme where research nurses have protected time to act in research inclusion link roles. These nurses co-deliver inclusive engagement and recruitment within our communities. The scheme is coordinated by UHS’s Southampton Centre for Research Engagement and Impact . On Tuesday 24th February, we were delighted to visit St Denys, Southampton. Our aim was to promote health research and the Improving Black Health Outcomes (IBHO) BioResource . We brought together partners from the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and our Regional Research Delivery Network’s Agile Team. Engagement that makes a difference Thanks to co-production with our community partners, strong teamwork and careful planning, the team recruited 24 participants during the event. Our research nurses were central to this success. They helped create continuity between community settings and research teams, supporting culturally sensitive engagement. They ensured that conversations about research felt human, relevant, and respectful. Why going to where people are matters Bringing research opportunities into community settings helps build trust and widen participation. It can ensure that our health studies reflect the people they are designed to serve. Looking ahead A huge thank you to everyone involved for your energy, teamwork, and commitment to inclusive research. Our event feedback was largely positive. This shows that communities respond with generosity when research is delivered with warmth, care and genuine connection. Most importantly, it highlights the enormous goodwill that exists within our local communities. People are ready and willing to take part when research is brought closer to them. Do you have any studies you would like to promote or recruit to? Please contact our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team: PPIEsupport@uhs.nhs.uk

A wearable sensor that monitors breathing has been recognised with a national innovation prize. The PneumoRator has won the Healthcare and Medical Award at The Engineer's Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards. Developed by researchers in Southampton and Nottingham, the sensor can be worn on a person’s chest like a sticker. It continuously monitors their breathing rate. The technology has the potential to provide a life-saving early warning system. Celebrating collaboration C2I Awards uncover and celebrate great examples of engineering collaboration. This is considered critical to solving many of the challenges and problems faced by society. The awards are presented by The Engineer, a London-based monthly magazine. It covers the latest innovations in engineering and technology in the UK and internationally. The PneumoRator team is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Southampton (UoS), University Hospital Southampton NHS FT (UHS) and Nottingham Trent University. They are working with Zelemiq Ltd, a medical technology design and consultancy firm, to develop the device. This work has been made possible by almost £1 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is being advanced within the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Professor Neil White is Co-Director of the Centre for Healthcare at UoS. He is working with Dr Harry Akerman, Consultant Anaesthetist at UHS, to trial the technology in Southampton. Spotting the signs Changes in breathing rate are often the first sign that a patient’s condition is getting worse. Currently, the standard way to check a person's breathing (or respiratory) rate is to manually count the number of breaths they take in a minute. This requires a nurse to be actively checking it, meaning breathing rate cannot be continuously monitored. The PneumoRator is a low cost, wearable device. It has been designed so that it is easy to use in hospital or at home. The team’s research has shown that the PneumoRator is capable of continuously measuring the breathing rate of volunteers. It can measure a person’s respiratory rate over long periods of time, allowing trends to be observed. This is not achievable using conventional manual breath counting. A real team effort The PneumoRator team were presented with the award at an award ceremony in London on the 26 th  February. Professor White, who is a Professor of Intelligent Sensor Systems at UoS and innovation champion for the NIHR Southampton BRC, said: “We’re delighted to have won this national prize. These awards highlight the importance of working together, and I want to thank everyone who’s supported and believed in the PneumoRator project. Your help has made it possible for us to keep developing this technology.”

A pioneering antibiotic test developed in Southampton is now certified for use with patient samples - paving the way for faster, life‑saving treatment. Doctors in hospitals throughout Great Britain can now use the test to prescribe the most suitable antibiotics. The test has been developed to determine the antibiotics that will work for treating a patient's infection in hours rather than days.     The iFAST Diagnostics test could save thousands of lives and shorten hospital stays. It will also help the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Certified for use  The test is known as the iFAST ONE ultra-rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (AST) system. Professor Hywel Morgan is the company’s Chief Technology Officer. He co-founded iFAST Diagnostics in 2022 with Dr Toby King and Dr Dan Spencer. His work forms part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s microbiology, immunology and infection theme. The test is now UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) certified for the testing of patient samples, direct from bacteria blood cultures. The UKCA mark is mandatory for products sold in Great Britain. It indicates the manufacturer has met all applicable requirements.  Results up to two days faster The iFAST system can deliver high-throughput AST results to doctors in under three hours. This is done at costs comparable to the current standard of care, but up to two days faster. This enables doctors to determine and prescribe the optimal antibiotic to the sickest patients, all within a single working shift. Dr Toby King, iFAST Diagnostics Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are super excited to have achieved our UKCA mark. As we go to market, hospitals using our system will have access to AST results in under three hours, instead of 24-48 hours. “This will massively improve the outcome for thousands of patients, especially in increasingly critical areas such as sepsis and multi-drug-resistant infections, all without increasing the overall cost of the testing. “To have achieved this within three years of founding the company is astonishing – and testament to the ability, dedication and hard work of our amazing founders Hywel Morgan and Daniel Spencer, and the entire iFAST team.” Professor Morgan, Professor of Bioelectronics at the University of Southampton, said: “I am delighted that clinicians will now be able to use data from our test to quickly determine which antibiotic to prescribe. This will enable patients to get the best antibiotic faster, and help tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. “This is the culmination of years of research, taking the test all the way from our initial idea to now being able to be used to benefit patients. It is wonderful to have reached this point.”

Researchers at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) are leading a large study to reduce children’s overuse of reliever inhalers linked to severe asthma attacks. Children with asthma who use a high number of blue reliever inhalers are several times more likely to have severe asthma attacks, which can be life-threatening. The Prescription Alerts for Reliever Inhalers in Children (PARC)  study is offering these children an enhanced check-up, led by a specialist nurse. The research is assessing if this extra check-up reduces the number of asthma or wheeze attacks these children have. It is the first time this issue has been formally studied. Getting the right inhaler Families are being invited to take part at general practices in Hampshire, Dorset and the Thames Valley region, as well as UHS’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility. The study is being delivered through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Asthma is very common in children and young people. It is a long-term lung condition that causes wheezing and breathlessness. Severe asthma attacks may need hospital treatment. Two types of inhaler are typically used to treat asthma – preventer inhalers and reliever inhalers (usually blue). Preventer inhalers are taken regularly to stop symptoms developing. Reliever inhalers are taken to relieve symptoms when they occur, such as during an asthma attack.   Reliever inhalers do not treat the underlying airway inflammation that causes asthma symptoms. Children who are using high numbers of blue reliever inhalers are more likely to have severe asthma or wheeze attacks. Those prescribed six or more reliever inhalers in the past year are 3-5 times more likely to have an asthma attack than those prescribed none.   All children and young people with asthma are currently invited for an annual asthma review by their GP practice. Experts recommend children using high numbers of blue reliever inhalers should have an extra check-up. However, this does not yet routinely happen in the UK. First of its kind study The PARC study is led by Dr Anna Selby, a Paediatric Registrar at UHS and NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at the University of Southampton. She said: “This study is the first of its kind to test whether a simple, proactive check-up can prevent severe asthma attacks in children and young people. Our hope is that by identifying children at higher risk sooner, and giving families extra support and education, we can reduce emergency admissions and transform how asthma care is delivered across the UK.”   In the PARC study, participating GP practices are divided into two groups. Practices in one group offer the enhanced check-up, while those in the other (control) group provide usual care. Children who have been prescribed six or more reliever inhalers will be invited to take part by their GP practice.   The researchers will then compare the number of asthma attacks that children at GP practices in the two groups experience over the next year. This will show whether the check-ups help to prevent asthma attacks in these children.   At the end of the project, children from control practices will be offered the enhanced asthma check-up. This means all children who take part will receive it at some point during the study.   Ultimately, the researchers aim to create a new alert system. This would notify GPs if over six reliever inhalers had been prescribed to a child. They could then invite them for a check-up.   Atlanta and Amelia's experience   Atlanta McDermott and her daughter Amelia Bridges from Southampton are taking part in the PARC study at UHS. She says the support and advice they’ve received has made a big difference.  “Before we joined the study in December, Amelia was using her blue inhaler every day,” Atlanta said. “She was really wheezy, she found it difficult to sleep, and she was continually coughing.” Amelia now takes a combination inhaler, which contains both a reliever medication and an inhaled steroid (preventer) medication. This provides both relief from and long-term control of symptoms. Children may be prescribed a combination inhaler if their asthma is not well controlled with a steroid inhaler. “The team explained the study really well to Amelia, and we’ve both gained valuable insights that mean we now understand asthma a lot better,” said Atlanta. “They’ve kept in contact throughout, with regular calls to check how she’s doing on the new inhaler. “Now, thanks to the advice and support we’ve received by taking part, Amelia doesn’t use her blue inhaler anymore. Instead, she takes her powdered combination inhaler three times a day, and that keeps her symptoms under control.” The PARC study is funded by the NIHR.   If you would like to find out more about the PARC trial, please visit https://www.parc.soton.ac.uk/ .

Behind every breakthrough are people whose daily work often goes unseen - but whose impact is extraordinary. One of them is Anastasia de la Haye. She has been working at University Hospital Southampton for five years and leads the respiratory research lab. She is funded by both the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility (CRF). We sat down with her to explore what a day in her world looks like, and what advice she has for the next generation. Why did you want to be a lab technician? Before this job, I worked in customer facing roles, but I was always interested in research, evidence-based practice and improving services. I liked the idea of contributing to something that helps people receive better care. Even though I’m not the one treating patients directly, I play a part in the chain that leads to new discoveries and improved treatment. What kind of education or training do you need to work in a lab? To work in this role, you need a science degree , ideally with some lab-based modules. I had already built lab experience by working in a veterinary laboratory, where I learned to use equipment like centrifuges. Those skills transferred easily into clinical research‑based modules. This lab is mainly a preparation lab, meaning we prepare samples for analysis elsewhere. Deep analytical training isn’t always required at the start. When I took on my current role, I spent a few months training with the previous lab lead to learn specific methods required for respiratory sample processing. I built on processes I had previously learned working as a technician in the CRF labs such as PBMC isolation - a method for separating certain types of blood cells. The processes are similar and are used in an increasing number of studies, so it was important training for the work I do now. What skills are required in your daily work? You need: Excellent attention to detail – because samples must be handled precisely Adaptability – plans can change quickly Awareness of the bigger picture – every sample is part of an important research journey, so you need to respect its value What does a typical day look like in your work? Every day in this job looks a little different. Our CRF lab supports around 350 active studies. There are only three of us in our Respiratory Research Lab team and we focus on the studies that require respiratory sample processing such as bronchoscopy or sputum samples. My day could begin with a bronchoscopy. We join the nurses during the procedure, collect the samples - such as biopsies and brushings - and check the sample quality. Most of these participants have asthma or COPD. Once we get the samples to the lab, we spend about three to four hours processing them. Throughout this time, we keep careful records, count the sample’s cells under a microscope, and freeze the samples. These samples take time and specific training to process, which is why we support fewer studies than the main CRF lab. We also travel to the Isle of Wight to process sputum samples at the David Hide Centre.On top of the practical work, I help write SOPs (standard operating procedures) and lab manuals. These documents guide how things should be done in our lab and sometimes even influence how other sites work. Occasionally, I work with infectious samples, such as during Covid-19 or for studies like UNIVERSAL. We use special safety cabinets that we place the samples and our hands into. These isolate the cabinet environment using airflow and filters to protect anyone external to the cabinet from infection. What do you love most about your job? I love the variety of the work and the team I get to work with. We have a really supportive environment, everyone gets along, and we also enjoy social outings outside of work. Is there a moment that stands out that you’ll always remember? My first bronchoscopy definitely stands out. It was stressful at the time, but I felt proud afterwards. I now train other people to do them, and I’ve completed around 30 in the past year. Another proud moment was being published in the paper for a national trial into Covid-19 booster vaccines. Our hospital was the lead site, and it felt great to be recognised for our work. My manager, Gavin, wrote the lab manual, and the team all contributed. What advice would you give someone who wants to be a lab technician? Talk to people in the field and try to get hands-on experience in a lab if you can.A science qualification is helpful but having lab experience is invaluable, and you can also ask local hospitals if they offer lab tours. Networking and getting to know people in research can create lots of opportunities for shadowing or advice.

A Southampton-led study on severe viral infections has reached its target of 1,000 participants. The UNIVERSAL study is investigating the impact of severe respiratory viruses on patients and the NHS. The study is being led by Professor Tom Wilkinson and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU). University Hospital Southampton is the study sponsor. Understanding respiratory viruses Samples from the 1,000 participants will now be used to find out which infections are most prevalent and likely to cause the most serious problems. Professor Wilkinson is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton. He leads the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre's respiratory and allergy theme. “This study came about as we wanted to build upon vast amounts of knowledge and experience gained from treating people with COVID-19,” he said. “What we saw over the course of the pandemic was that individual responses to respiratory viral infections varied from patient to patient, ranging from very mild symptoms to severe infections which required hospital care. “What we want to be able to do is understand more about how and when patients with different respiratory viruses may progress to more serious disease, and help develop effective antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments to combat these infections. Identifying patients likely to become seriously ill Participants are assessed by medical teams and fill in questionnaires. This helps the team to monitor their symptoms and any progression of the infection. Their blood and swab samples will now be analysed. This will identify biomarkers that indicate immune and inflammatory responses in the body. Abigail Jones is Trial Manager for UNIVERSAL at the SCTU. “By combining the information on patients’ symptoms with the results from the sample analysis, we can build up a picture of which viruses are affecting the population,” she said. “We hope this information will also allow us to identify those patients who are more likely to become more seriously ill and experience severe symptoms, as well as better predicting their recovery and length of stay in hospital.” Protecting patients and strengthening our NHS The study recruited patients at hospital sites around the UK. All participants tested positive for a viral respiratory infection. Pedro Rodrigues is Senior Trial Manager at the SCTU. He is Co-Investigator of the UNIVERSAL study. “Every winter, respiratory viruses like flu and RSV stretch NHS resources to their limit," he says. “The UNIVERSAL study is tackling this, by collecting real-time data and working closely with frontline clinicians. This is crucial to help us better understand how these viruses impact patients and healthcare services. “Our goal is to make a real-world impact, moving from sickness to prevention and from hospital care to community-based care, protecting patients and strengthening our NHS when it’s needed most.” The team are now analysing all the data from the study participants. They hope to publish the results later this year. Professor Wilkinson concludes: “Southampton is leading the way in respiratory research, bringing together researchers and clinicians at the University and the Hospital Trust through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. “The results of the UNIVERSAL study will hopefully pave the way for more targeted care and better treatments for patients with severe respiratory infections. “We want to thank every one of the 1,000 plus people who volunteered to take part in our study and are helping us to gain vital knowledge in this area. We would also like to thank the wonderful NHS research teams across the country who delivered the study with us.”

A new warning is calling for national action to reduce maternal obesity that affects one in four pregnancies. The report has been issued by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). It signals that obesity in women and people of childbearing age is an urgent and growing public health concern in the UK. The new RCP View on Obesity and Maternal Health was developed by a group of leading health experts. These include Southampton’s Professor Keith Godfrey. Professor Godfrey is Co-Chair of the UK Preconception Partnership. He is also a theme lead in the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Growing health challenge Obesity is linked to far higher rates of pregnancy-related complications. These include gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, caesarean birth and postpartum haemorrhage. Rates of maternal obesity are highest in the most deprived communities. This reinforces existing health inequalities. These risks can be fatal. UK figures show that two thirds of women who die during pregnancy or within six weeks of birth are living with overweight or obesity. Rising rates of maternal obesity will be increasing pressure on maternity services and contributing to avoidable harm. Research also suggests maternal obesity could increase the chances of a child having health issues later in life. This compounds inequalities across generations. ‘Bold, joined-up action’ needed The RCP View recognises obesity as a chronic, systemic illness. It recognises it is shaped by health inequalities, genetic influences, ethnicity, social and commercial factors, stigma, mental health and the environments people live in. Dr Kath McCullough, special adviser on obesity at RCP, said: “Maternal obesity is one of the clearest signs that we need to tackle the root causes of obesity and weight gain, recognising the benefits not only for pregnancy but also women’s health and future generations. We know that obesity is driven by inequality, poverty and environments that make healthy choices harder every day. “We need bold, joined-up action across the system. Getting this right would transform outcomes for families and deliver lasting benefits for the NHS.” Pre-pregnancy education In the new RCP View, the RCP calls for urgent action across the whole system to support women’s health before, during and after pregnancy. The policy briefing calls for coordinated, system-wide action across seven areas. Professor Godfrey said: “One of the key recommendations from this report is that the government Departments of Education and of Health and Social Care should develop and deliver an explicit and structured approach to universal and culturally competent pre-pregnancy education for all genders. “This should consider impacts of obesity, diet and nutrition and physical activity on reproductive health across the life course, starting from primary school through higher education and supported by workplace health education.”

Southampton researchers are trialling a new rapid test that could cut the time to diagnose winter respiratory viral infections. If proven to be accurate, the test could provide the NHS with a highly scalable, low-cost diagnostic tool for flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).   This would help clinicians make faster decisions and improve patient care. The is particularly important during winter periods when hospitals face intense pressure from infections.   The study is being led by Professor Tristan Clark from University Hospital Southampton and the University of Southampton. It is delivered through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.   Mounting winter pressures   Respiratory viruses are a major driver of winter pressure in the NHS. They account for a high number of emergency department visits during peak winter periods.   This increase in attendance and hospitalisation often leads to significant operational problems. These include lack of bed capacity and cancellation of elective surgery.   Current hospital PCR test processes can take over two hours to deliver a result. They require laboratory processing and are expensive to perform.   The new platform, developed by the UK medical device company Ediphor, can be used by staff without specialist training.   It could cost between £2 and £3 per test. This is comparable to lateral flow devices and would be at least ten times cheaper than current rapid PCR testing.   'Potential to be a game-changer'   The technology uses novel biosensor technology to identify respiratory viruses in just 60 seconds. The entire test process including sample collection takes around four minutes. Professor Tristan Clark (credit: University Hospital Southampton)   Professor Clark said: “This novel and exciting technology has the potential to be a real game-changer. Rapid, accurate diagnosis is crucial during winter surges, but current testing methods are too slow and often very expensive.   “A cheap, accurate test which delivers results in just a few minutes could transform how we manage respiratory infections in hospitals as well as in other settings.”   Building evidence for adoption   The trial is already underway at UHS. It will evaluate the accuracy and performance of the test by comparing it with existing diagnostic methods. The data collected will be analysed in order to help build the evidence needed for regulatory approval and future NHS adoption.   Prof Clark added: “While this study won’t change how we manage patients this winter, it’s a vital step in generating the evidence required to support new diagnostic technologies that could make a significant difference in years to come.   “In addition, this technology is uniquely flexible in that it can be adapted to detect many different types of biomolecular targets, and not just respiratory viruses”.   Prof Clark was recently awarded a highly prestigious NIHR Research Professorship. This new trial builds on his long-standing expertise in infectious disease diagnostics and translational research. This includes earlier work on rapid flu testing published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine .