The Health Foundation’s involvement in a recent cancer patient study has been highlighted in a wide range of media including The Nursing Times and BBC News websites.
The research study, funded by the Foundation, found that giving cancer patients liquid food directly after gastrointestinal surgery could lead to a quicker recovery and potentially save the NHS millions of pounds.
The findings showed that patients who received nutrition directly into the intestine through a feeding tube recovered around three days sooner than those who were fasted, decreasing the chance of complications such as infection.
Dr Rachel Barlow, an award holder on a previous leadership award scheme called Leading Practice through Research, was the lead investigator in the study which was carried out on 121 patients by Cardiff University and the University Hospital of Wales.
In the BBC report Dr Barlow says: ‘In our trial we turned the traditional thinking to starve patients after major gastrointestinal surgery on its head and have found huge benefits.
‘The striking find that nutrients straight after surgery meant patients recovered quicker and tended to have fewer complications has major implications for the NHS.
‘It may result in a saving of millions of pounds and could mean fewer bed shortages in hospitals.’
She is quoted further on the Nursing Times website as saying: ‘Importantly, patients who were given the nutrition were more likely to be healthier and have a better quality of life in the months after surgery.’
The research has been picked up by the trade press, national and regional press including: The Scotsman, Nursing in Practice, Medical News Today, Yahoo News, AOL News and Medical News Today.