A DIETITIAN from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been awarded a prestigious research scholarship for a new study into supporting patients with chronic kidney disease.
Clinical Lead Dietitian Dr Andrew Morris was awarded the Health and Care Research Scholarship by the West Midlands National Institute for Health and Care Research, after a competitive application process.
Dr Morris will use his scholarship to research how people living with chronic kidney disease can be supported to manage long-term changes to their diet for themselves.
His work will help to shape future research in Worcestershire’s acute hospitals and across the West Midlands.
He will partner with other regional organisations and educational establishments and was supported with his application by Dr David Wilson, a previous scholarship recipient, and research manager Anna Walker.
“I am delighted to be able to help shape the future of research at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and also develop research pathways for non-medical health professionals,” Dr Morris said.
“Thanks to David, Anna, Pam Sivathondan and Jo Kenyon for their support.”
“Dietary modification in chronic kidney disease is a low-cost treatment which can lead to better outcomes in this population but further research is needed to determine the most effective way of supporting patients to make long-term dietary changes.”
“As part of the research, we aim to recruit a diverse sample of people living with chronic kidney disease in the West Midlands and fully review their access to services for their health, cultural and literacy needs.
“This research aims to help underserved patient groups by removing potential barriers to accessing care by providing access to dietetic services when they want it.
“We will fully collaborate with people living with kidney disease to redesign how we deliver dietetic services and long-term support in Worcestershire and beyond,” he added.
