UoA 3 – Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Diagnosing breast cancer: improving policy and practice

In the early detection of benign breast conditions and malignant breast disease, mammography
is regarded as the gold standard of screening methods. However, the efficacy of the method
depends on the production of high-quality mammography images. After identifying inadequate
breast compression and a lack of standardised positioning technique, the University of Salford
Medical Imaging Research Group (MIRG) subsequently developed and published new
standards, which are now embedded within United Kingdom (UK) breast services for
approximately 2,000,000 women per annum. This has had a positive effect on clients’
experiences, with a reduction in pain levels during mammography and improvements in
detecting benign and malignant disease. The research has also led providers outside of the UK
(Norway, Netherlands) to update their practice and policy, resulting in standardisation of
approach and improved client experiences for another 500,000 women. Additionally, Volpara
Health Technologies (New Zealand) has developed a commercial application from MIRG
research that improves practice: this software is sold in 38 countries, improving the experience
and outcome for 10,000,000 women globally.

Improving healthcare systems to tackle antimicrobial resistant infections in Uganda

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global challenge, the impact of which is felt most
acutely in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Salford’s unique social science-led, multidisciplinary approach demonstrates how holistic systems change can be applied to tackle AMR
in LMICs such as Uganda. Salford’s work has directly led to sustained improvements in
antimicrobial stewardship amongst health workers in Uganda, changing behaviour in the
following areas: infection prevention and control (IPC); wound management; culture-andsensitivity testing; antibiotic use; and rational prescribing. Our basic molecular microbiology
research has created an evidence base to improve procurement of antibiotics for both treatment
and AMR surveillance. Overall, these changes have reduced the number of deaths associated
with maternal sepsis, significantly shortened patient stays and lowered readmission rates to
hospital, along with reducing the costs associated with treatment.

Improving practice in maternity care and chronic kidney disease through social media

Limited NHS resources require innovative approaches to healthcare. Research at Salford has
led to the development of two digital interventions that respond to this environment and each
one has been especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facemums is the world’s first
professionally moderated social media platform to meet the information and support needs of
pregnant women. The Kidney Information Network (KIN) is an award-winning digital platform that
provides chronic kidney disease patients with the advice and assistance required to manage
their condition. In both cases, the platforms improved users’ understanding and awareness
about their health, facilitated greater self-management of their health and wellbeing and
enhanced overall health and wellbeing outcomes. Additional benefits include changes to
professional attitudes, skill sets and service delivery, enabling NHS Trusts to effectively adapt
the models and increase support provision in response to the pandemic.

Promoting ‘No Harm’ approaches to global health placements for professional volunteers and students in low- and middle-income countries

2020 has seen the culmination of paradigmatic shifts in the organisational infrastructure shaping
global health. The establishment of the Global Engagement Directorate in Health Education
England (HEE) coincides with the creation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Development
Office. Both developments reflect growing concern about sustainability, efficacy and reciprocity
in overseas development work and increasing interest in optimising opportunities for mutually
beneficial knowledge mobilisation. Professor Ackers’ research has directly contributed to
national policy changes in England, Scotland, Norway and most notably Uganda, as well as to
non-governmental organisation practices, resulting in more sustainable ‘No Harm’ approaches to
the placement of volunteers in the health systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
This has led to sustained health systems change in Uganda, where the first ever see-and-treat
cervical screening programme in a Ugandan public health facility has been established and the
continued presence of UK volunteers alongside Ugandan health workers has transformed a
failing health centre into one of the best-performing Community Health Centres in the country.