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NRS Ageing kicks off interactive ‘lunch and learn’ webinar series in March

NRS Ageing kicks off interactive ‘lunch and learn’ webinar series in March

29th February 2024

The NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Ageing Specialty Group is launching a series of interactive, informative webinars, discussing the most topical issues around clinical ageing research

From March, the ‘lunch and learn’ sessions will bring together a range of guest speakers to offer their insight and experience. The series will provide a forum to support the ageing research community and share the latest updates in an engaging, modern format.

Each webinar – run on the last Tuesday of each month from noon until 1pm – will kick off with ageing research updates in Scotland, followed by a presentation and Q&A with an invited expert.

They will be hosted and chaired by Scottish researchers but are open to all clinicians and academics from across the UK.

The first will take place on Tuesday 26 March, led by Miles Witham, Professor of Trials for Older People at Newcastle University who will give his views on the present, and future, of academic older adult medicine.  

Pre-registration is required, and those who wish to attend are asked to complete a short form.

Dr Terry Quinn, clinical lead for the Ageing Specialty Group, said: “We are excited to have four excellent speakers lined up for our first suite of webinars from March to June and hope to see as many people join us as possible – all are welcome.

“We already enjoy strong links across the research portfolio – whether that be in dementia or neuroprogressive conditions, musculoskeletal or respiratory – and across the country. These webinars will help strengthen this collaborative approach and encourage greater interactivity and a fresh, progressive approach to sharing information.

“Professor Miles Witham to be perfectly placed as our first invited speaker and we are certain that our other three guests will be just as strong, offering both fascinating insights and the benefit of their respective experiences.”

The calendar of webinars is:

  • 26 March – Professor Miles Witham began his clinical academic career in Scotland, working as a consultant and researcher in Dundee. He then moved to Newcastle where he is part of the Internationally recognised AGE Research Group. Registration link

He is past Chair of the UK Clinical Research Network in Ageing, previous deputy editor of Age and Ageing and currently chairs the British Geriatric Society Research and Academic Committee.

  • 30 April – Professor Debi Bhattacharya will share her thoughts on research around medicines optimisation for older people. Debi is Professor of Behavioural Medicine University of Leicester, where she combines her clinical work as a pharmacist with a portfolio of research around medication adherence and deprescribing. Registration link

She is Chief Investigator of the NHR funded ‘CompreHensive geriAtRician-led MEdication Review’ (CHARMER) study, one of the largest trials in the UK ageing network.

  • 28 May – Professor Emily Henderson will share her experiences, good and bad, of running movement disorder trials. Emily is Associate Professor of Ageing and Movement Disorders at the University of Bristol and Honorary Academic Consultant Geriatrician Royal United Hospital in Bath. She leads the Bristol Ageing and Movement Research Group and previously chaired the British Geriatric Society Research and Academic Committee. Registration link

Emily has a particular interest in Parkinson’s disease. She conducted a randomised controlled trial as part of her PhD and has followed this with the definitive multicentre trial looking at an intervention to prevent falls.

  • 25 June – Professor Susan Shenkin will share thoughts on the opportunities, and challenges, of research in the care-home setting. Susan is Professor of Healthcare for Older People at the University of Edinburgh, honorary consultant with NHS Lothian and deputy director of the Advanced Care Research Centre in Edinburgh. Registration link

Susan has held leadership positions with EuGMS (European Geriatric Medicine Society), Age and Ageing journal and the Lothian Birth Cohort. Her primary focus is around supporting research in care-homes and she currently co-chairs the Scottish ENRICH (Enabling Research in CareHomes) group.

NRS Ageing Performance Manager Jacqueline Pearson added: “We hope that this is only the start of our webinar series and will continue to form a key part of our commitment to supporting the delivery of high-quality clinical research relevant to the care of older people. We thank all of our speakers for investing their time and look forward to delivering some really engaging, interactive sessions.”

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