Guy's Cancer Real World Evidence, a collaboration between epidemiologists at King's and clinicians at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, has been shortlisted for Best Healthcare Analytics Project for the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2022.
The award recognises outstanding contribution to healthcare in an exceptional and challenging period across the sector.
The project, led by Professor Mieke Van Hemelrijck, from the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Dr Anne Rigg from Guy's and St Thomas', was one of 190 entries to the HSJ Partnership Awards.
Guy's Cancer Real World Evidence uses anonymised clinical patient data to guide quality improvement/research and patient care. The partnership grew exponentially at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide greater understanding of the interplay between the virus and cancer. The partnership reviewed evidence regarding the associations between immune-suppressive and stimulating drugs and COVID-19, which resulted in a publication since cited more than 330 times. The partnership also established a COVID-19 and cancer database which assessed COVID-19 prevalence amongst cancer patients. This was key to reassuring patients that they would be treated in a safe environment.
Although it is widely recognised that real world data is important, it is not always embedded in daily clinical practice and the grey area between clinical analytics and research often generates confusion. We therefore want to lead by example and highlight that bridging these disciplines is the way forward for successful research and analytics.– Joint project lead Professor Van Hemelrijck from the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Joint project lead Dr Rigg said: "It is exactly this fine line between academic research and clinical analytics that we aimed to bridge with our partnership. No academic institution or NHS Trust can deliver this work on their own – hence this analytics partnership has proven to be of high value for both the patients and staff of our NHS Trust.
She added: "The team has really risen to the challenge posed by COVID-19, collaborating and adapting to rapidly changing circumstances. I'm incredibly proud of our multidisciplinary team, and pleased that they have been recognised by being shortlisted."
The judging panel was made up of a diverse range of highly influential and respected figures within the healthcare community, including Dr Matt Aiello (National Programmes Lead, Education Reform, Health Education England); Dr Elena Bechberger (National Programme Director – LVHC Programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement); Claire Igoe (Head of Environmental Sustainability - Manchester University FT) and Vinice Thomas (Director of Nursing and Quality, NHS England and NHS Improvement).
The full list of nominees for the HSJ Partnership Awards 2022 can be found here: https://partnership.hsj.co.uk/finalists-2022
The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Westminster Park Plaza, London on March 24th 2022.
