A clinical academic speech and language therapist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has won a national prize for innovative stroke care research.
Dr Nicola Martindale won the best Oral Presentation prize at the biannual UK Swallowing Research Group conference, which brings together experts to advance understanding of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
Her award-winning presentation highlighted key research which could change how patients who have swallowing difficulties after a stroke are cared for in the future.
This research, which is being led by Dr Sabrina Eltringham and funded by a Stroke Association postdoctoral fellowship, is exploring whether the Clear Water Protocol can be safely and effectively implemented within an acute stroke unit setting.
Improving quality of life
The Clear Water Protocol allows patients with swallowing difficulties who are recommended thickened drinks or nothing by mouth to have plain water between meals in carefully controlled conditions.
The study has been developed in response to NICE stroke rehabilitation guidance which highlights the need for further research into the use of the Clear Water Protocol for patients with dysphagia following stroke.
Dr Nicola Martindale, Clinical Academic Speech and Language Therapist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I was glad of the opportunity to present our Clear Water Protocol research at this prestigious conference and thrilled to win first prize for the team. The study aims to improve quality of life for people who have swallowing difficulties following a stroke, so we are proud as a team to be looking at the feasibility of introducing the protocol, and to be identifying any barriers in real-world clinical practice. Our research may also inform the design of future, larger-scale studies to the benefit of even more stroke patients."
Dr Sabrina Eltringham, Stroke Association Postdoctoral Fellow and Speech and Language Therapist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Dr Martindale's presentation was recognised among a very high calibre of speakers from across the UK, underpinning the quality, impact and clinical relevance of the research being undertaken in Sheffield. The work's been a real team effort on the acute stroke unit, with lots of different experts involved. Winning the prize shows the quality, impact and clinical relevance of the research being undertaken in Sheffield."
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