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Cardiovascular Network partners with Glasgow University for public innovation showcase

Cardiovascular Network partners with Glasgow University for public innovation showcase

22nd October 2024

The Cardiovascular Network of NHS Research Scotland (NRS) will be partnering on a cutting-edge innovation showcase, inviting attendance from patients, carers, and members of the public

The free interactive event on Tuesday 26 November will see the Network linking up with SoftMech, an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded Centre of Mathematics for Healthcare at the University of Glasgow to showcase the latest advances in 3D heart modelling, virtual reality imaging, artificial intelligence-driven mathematical science, and other technologies which are advancing care.

The Network recently launched a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) forum, encouraging public collaboration in research while recognising the vital role of diverse voices in shaping its work.

Entitled 'Patient and Public Day: How AI and maths science is improving patient health', the event will take place in the Arcoona Suite of the Golden Jubilee Hotel in Clydebank from 10am-4pm.

Cardiovascular Clinical Research Champion, Lis Neubeck said: “The event will be a very interactive day with scientists demonstrating exciting innovations to gain patient and public partners’ views on how visionary future technologies could be applied in research. Alongside these will be other new tech for improved eye health and cancer screening.

“We are proud to be working with Professor Dirk Husmeier at Glasgow University and his SoftMech team on co-hosting and delivering this and are very grateful for their expertise and insights.”

Dirk Husmeier said: “Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making headlines lately, and we aim to show how, when combined with mathematical modelling and clinical data science, it has the potential to transform healthcare. Our focus will be on interactive sessions that will give you a chance to try things out yourself and develop a better feel for these exciting new techniques.”

The drive for enhanced Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in shaping future research across Scotland continues to grow and NRS Cardiovascular is committed to seeking more participants, involving patients, those who care for them, and the public in all aspects of the research process.

The Network is encouraging anyone across the country who has been diagnosed and previously involved in studies – into areas such as heart failure, blood pressure, heart defects, heart muscle disease, and surgery – to come forward and get involved.

It is excited by the possibilities of how public enthusiasm for involvement can influence the direction and delivery of inclusive future ambitions.

Cardiovascular Network Manager Mary McAuley said: “We expect this will be an inspiring showcase of fresh cardiovascular technologies – and the great depth of work going on in Scotland – which captures the imagination of potential research participants.

“We’re looking to achieve a broad balance of voices including people of different genders, ethnic diversities, and socio-economic backgrounds.

“It is extremely important that everyone is represented in relevant research and that health inequalities are reduced wherever possible.

“Ultimately, our aim is to have a beneficial impact on quality of life by ensuring that people who have cardiovascular disease can have the opportunity of knowing about, and participating in, relevant clinical research studies – and PPI is a key facet of that drive for improvement.”

She added: “It undoubtedly helps to improve the relevance of studies thanks to insights from lived experience, alternative views, as well as different aspirations and thoughts about health outcomes.

“These help to ensure cardiovascular studies can be designed and delivered in more inclusive, collaborative, and cost-effective ways.”

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