For details of up coming events and meetings, current projects and bids as well as publications and conferences, read our latest newsletter by following the link below.
REST project featured on ITN Tonight documentary on insomnia
The Resources for Effective Sleep Treatment (REST) project, led by Prof Niro Siriwardena, was featured on “Tonight” the flagship ITV1 documentary programme, the highest rating current affairs series on UK television for the past decade. In the programme “Waking up to Insomnia” screened on 17 November at 7:30pm, Geraint Vincent revealed some results of the Great British Sleep Survey and found out from sufferers how it affected their lives. The programme discussed the problems of insomnia, why sleeping tablets were not a good solution and why Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) although effective is not widely available in the NHS. The REST project funded by the Health Foundation aimed to improve primary care for insomnia by developing primary care friendly sleep assessment and CBTi. A follow-on translational project, Improving Primary Care Resources for Effective Sleep Treatment (IPCREST) funded by East Midlands Health Innovation and Educational Cluster aims to spread the learning through seminars, workshops and an e-learning programme for healthcare practitioners. Further information is available on the University website and at the REST website. Niro is presenting on “How to provide better care for insomnia: Resources for effective sleep treatment in the general practice consultation” at the Sleep and Mental Health conference at the Royal Society of Medicine on 23 November 2011.
Another new member of the Community and Health Research team
Hello, My name is Zahid Asghar. I joined the Lincoln School of Health & Social Care in September 2011. My background is in mathematical modeling and medical statistics. Currently I am working on a case control study and a self-controlled case series study to investigate the potential for influenza and/or pneumococcal vaccination to prevent against stroke and transient ischemic attack (IPVASTIA). The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit programme and the study team led by Prof Niro Siriwardena (Lincoln) include Dr Carol Coupland (Nottingham University) and Stella Gwini (Monash University, Australia).
Zahid Asghar
Previously I have worked as an infectious disease modeler at Imperial College, London (over five years), Medical Statistician at Nottingham University for chronic liver disease and as a mathematical modeler, data analyst and statistician at Liverpool University, forecasting coronary heart disease and mortality projections for the UK. I have extensive experience in data management and computer programming. I developed algorithmic code to aid policy and advocacy as well as calculated the prevalence of disease burden such as HIV in different country settings.
Review of the Quality and Outcomes framework highly commended in the BMA book awards
A book edited by Dr Stephen Gillam (University of Cambridge) and Prof Niroshan Siriwardena (University of Lincoln) and published by Radcliffe Publishing Ltd entitled “The Quality and Outcomes Framework: QOF – transforming general practice” was highly commended at the BMA Medical Book Awards 2011. Steve Gillam and Niro Siriwardena were present at the awards ceremony in BMA House in London.
Highly commended in this year's BMA Medical Book Awards 2011
Contributors to the book include the architects of the QOF, developers, researchers, practitioners and commentators. Work is currently proceeding on a systematic review of research into the QOF involving the Universities of Cambridge, Lincoln and East Anglia.
Addition to Community & Health Research Team
Viet-Hai in his new role as Research Assistant
Viet-Hai Phung has just joined the School of Health & Social Care working with Professor Niro Siriwardena as a Research Assistant. Viet-Hai’s profile is as follows:-
My name is Viet-Hai Phung and I joined the School of Health and Social Care as a Research Assistant in September 2011. I am currently undertaking a systematic literature review as part of an NIHR programme for applied research entitled Prehospital Outcomes for Evidence Based Evaluation (PHOEBE) which is developing new ways of measuring the Impact of ambulance service care. In addition to this, I am currently involved in the editorial process for the journal, Quality in Primary Care.
My academic background is in politics and research methodology. In addition, I have nine years’ experience of working in applied research across a range of public policy areas, including social policy, community safety, higher education and housing. I have undertaken policy evaluations for the public and voluntary sector. Prior to joining the School of Health and Social Care, I worked as a Research Associate for six and a half years at the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University. I have a range of quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as extensive experience of undertaking literature reviews and publishing for a range of audiences, including peer-reviewed journals and policy practitioners.