An exciting project helping to build a stronger, more confident cancer research workforce in the South West has earned recognition for its impact.

The 'From Trials to Talent: Strengthening the Cancer Research Workforce' project received the Outstanding Network Initiative Award at a regional conference in February. Known as the ‘Developing a Research Skilled Workforce’ conference, this annual event celebrates the impact of research capacity building initiatives by teams, organisations, and across networks and systems of care.

The project is a successful collaboration involving healthcare experts from across the South West. It was led in partnership by the South West Genomic Medicine Service (SWGMS), the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance (SWAG) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

What was the project about?

The initiative focused on implementing an NIHR Associate Principal Investigator scheme across a wide portfolio of cancer trials in the South West region, actively engaging doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals.

In health research, a Principal Investigator (PI) is an individual responsible for the conduct of a research study at a local site. An Associate PI supports this work and gains experience in study delivery. The NIHR Associate PI Scheme is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for health and care professionals starting their research career.

The project led to increased engagement in cancer research, improvements in research confidence and an uptake in trial recruitments, as well as enhanced workforce capability across the region.

The MOLGEN study

An example of this is the Molecular Genetics of Adverse Drug Reactions (MOLGEN) study, which provided the opportunity to upskill multiple pharmacists and junior medics in pharmacogenomics research skills. Pharmacogenomics is the science of understanding how differences in our genes can shape the way medicines work in the body, helping to tailor treatments more safely and effectively.

Here, Helen Winter, Principal Investigator for the study, and Rachel Palmer, Pharmacy Lead for the SW Genomic Medicine Service Alliance and Associate Principal Investigator for the study, share more about their experience:

About the SWGMS

The Royal Devon is an innovation-led Trust. Our award-winning translational genomic services provide support for patients and families affected by rare genetic conditions and cancer. We collaborate with NHS organisations across the region as part of the South West Genomic Medicine Service, working together to embed genomics into standard practice.