The funding will support two projects in Cambridge: one at Papworth Hospital (Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection), looking at the development of a national Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) whole genome sequencing service and a second at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, maximising the use of smartphone technology to incentivise essential daily chest physiotherapy treatment in young people with cystic fibrosis.
The Clinical Excellence and Innovation Awards support Cystic Fibrosis centres across the UK to improve specialist cystic fibrosis clinical care and innovation through specific projects.
Dr Charles Haworth will lead the project at the Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Papworth Hospital to develop a national NTM whole genome sequencing service. Dr Haworth said “Infection with NTM, particularly M. abscessus, has become an important threat to individuals with CF around the world. The infection is very difficult to treat, resulting in an enormous additional therapy burden and is often associated with devastating side effects”.
Match funded through Papworth Hospital CCLI Research Funds and the Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, the project is due to run over a period of 2 years and will support whole genome sequencing of clinical and environmental isolates of M. abscessus to allow clinicians to detect person-to-person transmission and monitor infection control properties in CF centres around the country.
The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received the award to progress their work in using smartphone technology to incentivise essential daily chest physiotherapy treatment in young people with cystic fibrosis. Dr Donna McShane, who heads up the CF Service for children at Cambridge University Hospitals said “ Zephbot uses mobile gaming technology to make physiotherapy engaging and fun, improving children’s compliance with treatment, encouraging good technique and recording subsequent performance”.
Chest physiotherapy is known to reduce the frequency of infective exacerbations and is associated with improved lung health and lung volumes for patients with CF. However, adherence to this life enhancing intervention is highly variable, with families experiencing significant levels of daily stress as parents’ battle with children to undertake treatment. Match funded by the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) Fund, this solution offers an innovative approach by using cutting edge gaming technology.
Dr Keith Brownlee, Director of Impact at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust said “These two project are great examples of what the Clinical Excellence and Innovation Awards are all about - encouraging innovation in CF Care and supporting work that can improve the health and wellbeing of people with cystic fibrosis. Both of these innovative projects will have dramatic impact on the health outcomes of people with CF and we look forward to seeing these projects develop over the next two years.”
About Cystic Fibrosis
· Cystic Fibrosis is a life shortening genetic condition – only half will live to celebrate their fortieth birthday
· The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to fighting for a life unlimited for everyone affected by cystic fibrosis
· Two million people in the UK are carrying the faulty gene without realising it. You could be one of them. If two carriers have children, there’s a one in four chance their child will have the condition, which slowly destroys the lungs and digestive system
· Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease caused by a faulty gene. This gene controls the movement of salt and water in and out of your cells, so the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it hard to breathe and digest food
· People with cystic fibrosis often look perfectly healthy. But it’s a lifelong challenge involving a vast daily intake of drugs, time-consuming physiotherapy and isolation from others with the condition. It places a huge burden on those around them and the condition can critically escalate at any moment
· To find out more about cystic fibrosis and the work of the Trust visit our website www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk
· To support our fight for a life unlimited by cystic fibrosis text BEATCF to 70500 to give £5 to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Terms
· For confidential advice, support and information on any aspect of cystic fibrosis, including help with financial support contact the Cystic Fibrosis Trust helpline on (+44) 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184
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Contact
For more information or media enquiries contact the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Press Office on (+44) 0203 7952 193 or email [email protected]