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Research portfolio

Published on 24 September 2024

Development of research portfolio

NHSScotland Assure is adding to the knowledge base available to built environment projects. Building on this existing knowledge will reduce risks, increase quality and promote the sharing of research with key stakeholders. Working with external stakeholders and other Assure services will ensure information and evidence-based guidance is available to those who need it.

This service identifies key topics relating to reduction of risk in the built environment by engaging with stakeholders, other NHSScotland Assure services and using lessons learned.

The service prioritises research themes and needs in line with the service strategy and identifies opportunities for research and sharing findings.

Commissioning Partnership with Edinburgh Napier University

NHSScotland Assure appointed Edinburgh Napier University in April 2022 to oversee and manage a fund in excess of £1,000,000 focused on developing international best practice in the built environment for healthcare. The fund is open and currently scheduled to run until March 2025.

This research partnership aims to provide opportunities to explore development of a consortium of different disciplines that deliver research in line with the identified needs of NHSScotland Assure. The service will share best practice case studies in standards and models for the built environment.

Funded research opportunities

Over the period of partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and NHSScotland Assure, the research programme will focus on eight priority-research research areas:

  • Water systems, including drainage (Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance [DICM])
  • Ventilation systems (DICM)
  • Pathogens, the microbiome, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), transmission risks and burden of disease in the hospital environment
  • Hospital design, including size and single room provision
  • Lessons learned from Covid-19
  • Human factors/Ergonomics and Infection Prevention and Control
  • Climate change requirements and the unintended consequences on built environment risks
  • The role of safety and harms in relation to medical gases, electrical systems and fire safety.

Further information on the fund including how to apply, future closing dates and events and relevant contact details can be found on the Edinburgh Napier website.

NHSScotland Assure Research Service Fund

Commissioned through our partnership with Edinburgh Napier University

  • ENU 103: SENSor-based Environmental Response System for HEALTHcare (SENSE-HEALTH).

    • Chief Investigator: Dr Miranda Loh, Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM)

  • ENU 110: Quantifying exhaled aerosolised respiratory virus in acutely hospitalised patients.

    • Chief Investigator: Dr Nick Wilson, NHS Lothian

  • ENU 129: Assembly of a Practical Evidence Base for Understanding Candida auris Transmission and Disinfection in Scotland.

  • Chief Investigator: Professor Gordon Ramage, Glasgow Caledonian University

For further information, please see the Edinburgh Napier website.

NHSScotland Assure commissioned research

Research currently underway

CoEResearch003: Whole genome sequencing of potable water derived Cupriavidus species.

  • Chief Investigator: Professor Alistair Leanord, Scottish Microbiology. Reference Laboratory, Glasgow.

AssureResearch24-0001: The role of toilet plume in dispersal of bacteria in healthcare and mitigation of risk with toilet lids/covers (commences 1st October 2024)

  • Chief Investigator: Dr W Mackay, University of West of Scotland.
  • NHSScotland Assure Lead Subject Matter Expert: Dr Teresa Inkster

AssureResearch24-0002: Investigation of contaminant residence in water trap seals in clinical settings: Comparing bottle-traps, S-traps, and P-traps

  • Chief Investigator: Professor Michael Gormley
  • NHSScotland Assure Lead Subject Matter Expert: Dr Richard Beattie

Completed projects

CoEResearch-0001: Investigate the prevalence and concentration of Cupriavidus and other Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens (OPPPs) in healthcare water systems across Scotland and England.

CoEResearch-0002: Hospital sinks and drains as a source of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms: studies to investigate colonisation, dispersal and decontamination.

AssureResearch21-0001 Far UVC light for reducing airborne transmission of bacteria and viruses.

AssureResearch21-0002 Efficacy of hand hygiene wipes active against spore forming bacteria and the use of wipes as a substitute for soap and water for performing hand hygiene in healthcare settings.

  • Chief Investigator: Dr Teresa Inkster, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

AssureResearch21-0003: Development of laboratory methodology to identify opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens other than Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospital water systems.

AssureResearch23-0001: The role of air pressure transients on the spread of bacteria from water trap seals in clinical settings: A laboratory based pilot study.

  • Chief Investigator: Professor Michael Gormley, Heriot-Watt University.
  • NHSScotland Assure Lead Subject Matter Expert: Dr Richard Beattie

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