News
New £1m fund to accelerate research access to health and care data in the South West
The South West Secure Data Environment (SDE) is encouraging organisations that hold health and social care data in the South West to share more of their data, to drive ground-breaking research and innovation to improve patient outcomes. A funding call of £1m is available to help organisations make their data…
Somali men’s workshop sheds light on barriers and opportunities for prostate cancer conversations
A recent community workshop brought together Somali men in Bristol to talk openly about prostate cancer – a topic which, for many, was associated with fear and uncertainty. The event, held at the Easton Christian Family Centre on Tuesday 9 September 2025, ran from 6 -8pm. It was organised in…
Avoidable cancellation of knee replacement operations costs NHS millions and increases waiting times
Thousands of NHS knee replacement operations are cancelled at short notice every year, many for avoidable reasons, according to a new study published today [1 December]. This costs the NHS millions of pounds and increases waiting times for patients, many of whom are in severe pain. The study, led by…
New project explores data sharing between Children of the 90s and South West SDE
A new project led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Bristol BRC) will explore how data from Children of the 90s can be made available through the South West Secure Data Environment (SDE). The project aims to establish a framework for trusted…
Pleural fluid cell differentiation does not accurately diagnose the cause of fluid around the lungs
Using pleural fluid cell differentiation as a test to determine the reason for fluid building up around the lungs does not provide an accurate diagnosis, according to a new study. Findings from the study, performed by a team including BRC researchers, are published in the Journal of…
Medical Research Council Millennium Medal awarded to Bristol BRC Scientific Director
One of the most influential figures in modern epidemiology, Professor George Davey Smith, has been awarded the UKRI Medical Research Council’s prestigious personal award for his exceptional contributions to improving human health through world-class medical research. George Davey-Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Bristol…
Landmark gastric bypass trial presented to policymakers at Evidence Week
The By-Band-Sleeve trial, which recently found gastric bypass is the most clinically and cost-effective form of interventional surgery for people living with severe obesity, has been presented to policymakers at Sense About Science’s Evidence Week at Westminster. The week brings together parliamentarians and other policymakers with researchers to address…
Improving disability inclusion in qualitative health research – why and how?
Dr Anna Anderson is a Research Fellow in Qualitative Research at the University of Leeds who leads disability inclusion in research initiatives supported by the NIHR Leeds BRC. She’s also a member of the BRC Qualitative Social and Behavioural Research Network. Here she reflects on the need to improve disability…
New intervention could increase adolescents’ motivation to manage their weight
A new intervention, developed in collaboration with young people living with obesity, could increase adolescents’ motivation to manage their weight. Bristol BRC researchers led the team developing the intervention, and their findings are published in PLOS One. More than 340 million children and adolescents worldwide are living with overweight…