MFT researchers recognised at Making a Difference Awards

Congratulations to two research teams at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) who were recognised at this year’s Making a Difference Awards 2024, hosted by The University of Manchester (UoM).

The Awards recognise the outstanding social and environmental impact staff, students, alumni and external partners have on our local communities and the wider society.

The PALOH (Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing) study team, led by Professor Bill Newman, Consultant in Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital, won the award for their ‘outstanding benefit to society through research’ for the development of the world’s first bedside genetic test that can prevent critically ill newborn babies, usually treated with a common antibiotic, from going deaf.

This innovative test is now being used in routine clinical practice in maternity settings at MFT and will be rolled out at NHS trusts across Greater Manchester in the summer, supported by Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) Women and Children domain – part of Health Innovation Manchester. This study was led by researchers at Saint Mary’s Hospital, UoM and Manchester-based firm genedrive Plc, supported by the MFT-hosted National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Photo: Rachel James, NIHR Manchester BRC Rare Conditions Project Manager, Dr Ajit Mahaveer, Consultant Neonatologist and Nicola Booth, Research Nurse Manager at Saint Mary’s Hospital receiving the award from Nazir Afzal OBE, University of Manchester Chancellor.

Team ACES, led by Professor Emma Crosbie, Honorary Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology and Dr Jennifer Davies-Oliveira, Clinical Research Fellow in Gynaecology Oncology, at Saint Mary’s Hospital were highly commended for their ‘outstanding contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion’.

The Alternative CErvical Screening (ACES) study is investigating the accuracy and acceptability of urine testing as an alternative for cervical screening. This research, supported by the NIHR Manchester BRC aims to increase screening coverage, especially in communities at risk of cervical cancer but with lower rates of screening attendance, such as the LGBTQIA+ community.

Photo: Kathy Cowell, MFT Chairman accepted the award on behalf of Team ACES, pictured with Nazir Afzal OBE, University of Manchester Chancellor.

Read more about the Making a Difference Awards winners and highly commended teams on The University of Manchester website.