Health award wins supported by Teesside University expertise

Two projects involving Teesside University academics have won prestigious accolades at the Bright Ideas in Health Awards.

There was recognition for a partnership which aims to increase access to healthy, affordable food for adults living with severe mental illness (SMI), along with a national campaign which aims to change how people think about, talk about, and treat persistent pain.

The annual awards, organised by Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, celebrate the achievements of people and teams working within the NHS, industry and academia, who have risen to the challenge of improving services provided to patients, either through a technical innovation or through better service delivery.

The project to increase access for healthy, affordable food for adults living with SMI won the Research of Local Health Need category award. It involved creation of a pasta ready meal using surplus ingredients, developed with people living with SMI. The dish was made available in social supermarkets across Middlesbrough.

It was part of a year-long research study which revealed high levels of food insecurity among people living with SMI. The study was led by researchers and clinicians from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Teesside University, community organisation Middlesbrough Environment City and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).

Teesside University academics involved in the project included Professor Amelia Lake, Professor Emma Giles, Jo Smith and Dr Jibin He from the University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, along with Dr Helen Moore and Professor Matthew Cotton from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law. Funding for the research project came from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Jo Smith, Fuse Associate and consultant dietitian (clinical academic) at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, was lead researcher on the project and attended the awards to accept the award. She said: “We are delighted to have won this award for our research helping people with severe mental illness to access healthy, affordable food whilst reducing food waste. This award is a testament to the effective partnership working between Fuse, the Trust, Teesside University and Middlesbrough Environment City.”

In addition, Teesside University School of Health & Life Science academics Professor Cormac Ryan and Dr Jagiit Mankelow were involved in Flippin’ the Way Health Professionals Think About, Talk About and Treat Chronic Pain, which won the Innovation in Clinical Education award category.

The national project was recognised for its work in producing unique and memorable training opportunities. Professor Cormac has been involved in outreach work and leading guest panels at Flippin Pain roadshows across the country.

Richard Pell, Director of Flippin Pain, said: “I’m delighted with the award. We know that we have a particularly big problem with chronic pain in the North East, yet it’s still so often misunderstood and mismanaged.

“In addition to ongoing investment from Connect, we have developed some really strong partnerships in the region, including Tees Valley Sport, You’ve Got This (Sport England’s Place Partner in South Tees) and Teesside University. This has provided us with opportunities for learning and opened doors that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”

Dr Ann French, Dean, School of Health and Life Sciences, said: “We are delighted to see expertise from Teesside University playing an important role in the success of these award-winning projects.”

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