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This case study describes the impact of practice-led research in health and social care settings. There are three main areas of impact to this research:
Ongoing research by the University of Southampton has led to significant advances in the understanding of respiratory diseases, for which the dearth of available treatments had health repercussions on a global scale for many years. The formation of a spin-out company, Synairgen, has enabled the discovery and development of new therapeutics, the filing of several major patents in the UK, the US and Asia and external collaborations with industry and government funders. These continuing developments are key to tackling conditions that affect millions of sufferers in the UK alone and which, according to some estimates, cost the NHS £2.6bn every year. The research has given rise to more than £16m in follow-on funding from the NIHR and the MRC for further studies into the treatment of respiratory illnesses.
Research into industrial process tomography has been performed at the University of Leeds from 1999 to the present day with much of this being in collaboration with Industrial Tomography Systems plc (ITS). This research, together with the associated intellectual property, has provided the foundation of 5 innovative new products developed and produced by ITS during the eligible period. These new products have generated sales of £5m and are in large part responsible for increases in turnover and employment of approximately 60%, and exports of 67% since 2008. These instruments are used in a significant number of new applications and are generating major benefits to end users in the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, consumer products, minerals and food sectors.
Over the past 10 years there has been a massive expansion in biomass use for power generation, particularly in the UK and Europe. Research at the University of Leeds has been crucial in addressing many of the challenges inherent in moving from coal to biomass including milling, combustion characteristics, deposition and corrosion enabling adoption of biomass for power generation. The research has impacted: (1) company strategy and industry practice for the use of biomass and key technology choices; (2) society, health and environment via CO2 reduction and emission reduction; (3) national energy security through an increased fuel inventory; (4) UK Government and EU policy as expert members of advisory groups.
Surface water runoff in urban areas makes a significant contribution to pollution of lakes and rivers, but historically is poorly addressed in catchment models. The School of Geography (SoG) developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) model and supporting database to quantify urban source area loadings of 18 common and priority pollutants. This knowledge improves catchment models and supports impact assessment and mitigation planning by environment managers. The research has been exploited on behalf of the Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Welsh Assembly, and the UK water industry (UK Water Industry Research — UKWIR, and United Utilities). The research has had three distinct impacts: 1) its use addressing EU Water Framework Directive obligations; 2) its on-going influence on construction industry guidance; and 3) the commercialisation of its stormwater pollutant coefficient database for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) planning software.
The quality of estimates in the 2000s of immigration to local authority areas in England needed radical improvement. School of Geography (SoG) researchers Rees and Boden developed a method, based on administrative data including NHS Patient, National Insurance and Higher Education records, to improve the accuracy of immigration estimates. The research had a direct impact on the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which adopted and further developed the method for annual estimates of local immigration statistics. These are used as inputs to mid-year population estimates and projections, which play an important role in formulae for allocating funds to local authorities and health bodies.
Spatial models developed from research in the School of Geography about population movements in cities are informing commercial planning and public policy analysis. The conduit for this impact is GMAP Ltd., a spin-out company established by the University of Leeds, which has used the models as the basis for its MicroVision and RetailVision software. Companies including Ford, Exxon, HBoS and Asda-Walmart have used this software for a range of purposes including maximizing individual stores' profitability and reconfiguring entire networks to fit changing market conditions. Government agencies have also used the software to optimize resource allocation in policing, education and healthcare.
The `Clinical Kinematic Assessment Tool' (CKAT) is an innovative system that detects the 5% of children with motor control problems who, as a result, experience academic and social disadvantage — which increases the likelihood of educational difficulties, anxiety and depression. CKAT's development is led by Mon-Williams at the University of Leeds (UoL), in partnership with the University of Aberdeen. Since 2012, CKAT has been used in 88 primary schools in Bradford. All Reception Year children (aged 4-5 years) are CKAT screened (~4,000 children annually) with teachers using this information to prompt further assessment and additional classroom support. CKAT is now being commercialised via a licensing deal (2012) with a Scottish SME.
Research in Leeds showed, conclusively for the first time, improved outcomes for cancer patients managed in multidisciplinary specialised cancer care teams. Our research and systemic overview provided the evidence for a new government policy to reconfigure cancer care services into Cancer Networks, Centres and Units. This required radical evidence-based changes including centralisation of many cancer surgical services. A rigorous implementation plan based on research evidence, was initiated under Leeds leadership and sustained in subsequent government policies. It changed clinical guidelines and professional standards, altered practice for all UK cancer patients and contributed to improved cancer survival.
Research in Leeds led by Professor Paul Emery pioneered early diagnosis and treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the aim of disease remission rather than reduction of symptoms. This approach has transformed management of RA and is now standard practice for patients worldwide. It has led to greatly improved disease control, increased quality of life and reduced disability as well as direct productivity gains of an estimated £4 million per year to the UK economy.