The role of healthcare professionals' communication in trial participation decisions: a qualitative investigation of recruitment consultations and patient interviews across three RCTs.

Background: Although the challenges of recruiting to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are well documented, few studies have focused on the impact that the communication between recruiters and patients has on patients' participation decisions. Recruiters are thought to influence patient decision-making, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are unclear. The aim of this research was to investigate how patients interpret and use the information conveyed to them by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in trial participation decisions.

Healthcare professionals' promotion of physical activity to people living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) can improve health-related outcomes for head and neck cancer (HaNC) patients, and PA guidance from healthcare professionals' can increase patients' PA levels. However, less than 9% of HaNC patients are physically active. This study explored healthcare professionals' promotion of PA across the National Health Service (NHS) in North West England and North Wales, to HaNC patients.

Quantitative relationship between free sugars intake and early childhood caries among preschoolers in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Before implementing the WHO sugar recommendations, more studies are needed concerning its application to given contexts.

Objective: To identify free sugars intake levels associated with a minimum caries risk in primary dentition METHODS: Using probability proportionate to size technique and cluster sampling, 813 children aged 4-5-years were selected from preschools in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. A 67-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire was developed and validated to evaluate free sugars intake.

How can we measure psychological safety in mental healthcare staff? Developing questionnaire items using a nominal groups technique.

There have been growing concerns about the well-being of staff in inpatient mental health settings, with studies suggesting that they have higher burnout and greater work-related stress levels than staff in other healthcare sectors. When addressing staff well-being, psychological safety can be a useful concept. However, there is no measure of psychological safety that is suitable for use in inpatient mental health settings.

Perceptions of vision care following neurological impairment: a qualitative study.

Background: Visual impairment is a common consequence of neurological impairments, and can impact a person's ability to undertake everyday tasks, affecting their confidence and mental health. Previous qualitative research in the UK has shown inequalities to exist where patients are accessing vision care after stroke, but little is known around the experiences of accessing vision care following other neurological impairments, and a lack of national guidelines prevent standardised care planning. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the perceptions of vision care after neurological impairment, and to identify possible inequalities and support mechanisms, where it has been possible to access vision care.

The Lived Experience of Play and How It Relates to Psychological Wellbeing: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) Study Amongst Undergraduate Students from Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health Professions' Programmes in the United Kingdom.

Current literature acknowledges that undergraduate students undertaking programmes in medicine, nursing, and allied health professions experience occupational stress which presents as a detriment to mental health, psychological wellbeing (PWB), and burnout. Strategies to improve the wellbeing of students have been slow to embed and have had limited impact, indeed the issue of declining wellbeing amongst this group is escalating. Studies from the business literature suggest that organisations that foster a playful environment reap benefits in terms of employee wellbeing.

Diagnostic radiography students' attitudes towards gender inclusive pregnancy status checks.

Introduction: Radiographers are responsible for protecting foetuses against ionising radiation and must screen all individuals for pregnancy prior to a pelvic X-ray examination following new guidance from the Society of Radiographers. This includes male, female, transgender, non-binary and intersex patients. Student diagnostic radiographers learn to undertake this screening so this project was designed to understand their attitudes towards doing so.

Mental health impact of cuts to local government spending on cultural, environmental and planning services in England: a longitudinal ecological study.

Background: Over the past decade, there have been significant and unequal cuts to local authority (LA) budgets, across England. Cultural, environmental and planning (CEP) budgets have been cut by 17% between 2011 and 2019. This funding supports services such as parks, leisure centres, community development and libraries, all of which have potential to influence population mental health.

COVID-19 risk mitigation in reopening mass cultural events: population-based observational study for the UK Events Research Programme in Liverpool City Region.

Objectives: To understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission risks, perceived risks and the feasibility of risk mitigations from experimental mass cultural events before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions were lifted.

Design: Prospective, population-wide observational study.

Setting: Four events (two nightclubs, an outdoor music festival and a business conference) open to Liverpool City Region UK residents, requiring a negative lateral flow test (LFT) within the 36 h before the event, but not requiring social distancing or face-coverings.

The perception of risk in contracting and spreading COVID-19 amongst individuals, households and vulnerable groups in England: a longitudinal qualitative study.

Background: Social distancing restrictions to manage the COVID-19 pandemic were put in place from March 2020 in the United Kingdom (UK), with those classed as "highly clinically vulnerable" advised to shield entirely and remain at home. However, personal risk perception has been shown to comprise of various elements beyond those outlined in the national pandemic guidance. It is unclear whether those deemed COVID-19 vulnerable identified as high-risk to COVID-19 and thus complied with the relevant advice.

A survey investigating postero-anterior chest X-ray clinical technique amongst radiographers and assistant practitioners in the UK: An extended pilot study.

Introduction: Whilst many technical factors for the postero-anterior (PA) chest projection are well-researched and standardised, anecdotal evidence suggests a discrepancy regarding positioning of the X-ray tube; some radiographers using a horizontal tube, and others apply an angle. Currently there is a lack of published evidence supporting the benefits of either technique.

Methods: Following University ethical approval, an invitation e-mail containing a link to a short questionnaire and participant information sheet was sent to radiographers and assistant practitioners in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, via professional networks/research team contacts.

A longitudinal study of capability-based quality of life and mental health in the first 5-months of lockdown restrictions in the UK.

Background: COVID19, and associated lockdown restrictions, have impacted on people's daily lives. Understanding the mental health and wellbeing implications of these impacts has been identified as a public health research priority.

Aims: Building on an earlier cross-sectional study, the current study sought to investigate whether capability-based quality of life changed during the first 5-months of lock-down restrictions in the UK, and whether capability-based quality of life was predictive of future levels of depression and anxiety.

Inequalities in local government spending on cultural, environmental and planning services: a time-trend analysis in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Background: Local government provides Cultural, Environmental, and Planning (CEP) services, such as parks, libraries, and waste collection, that are vital for promoting health and wellbeing. There have been significant changes to the funding of these services over the past decade, most notably due to the UK government's austerity programme. These changes have not affected all places equally.

The impacts of profound gender discrimination on the survival of girls and women in son-preference countries - A systematic review.

Amartya Sen first used the phrase 'missing women' to describe a survival disadvantage for women exposed to extreme gender discrimination in son-preference countries. In 1989 he estimated that, despite a biological survival advantage for females, there were 100 million fewer women in Asia and north Africa than expected. He blamed corrosive gender discrimination restricting the resources needed for survival.

Impact of community asymptomatic rapid antigen testing on covid-19 related hospital admissions: synthetic control study.

Objective: To analyse the impact of voluntary rapid testing for SARS-CoV-2 antigen in Liverpool city on covid-19 related hospital admissions.

Design: Synthetic control analysis comparing hospital admissions for small areas in the intervention population with a group of control areas weighted to be similar for past covid-19 related hospital admission rates and sociodemographic factors.

Setting: Liverpool city, UK, 6 November 2020 to 2 January 2021, under the intervention of Covid-SMART (systematic meaningful asymptomatic repeated testing) voluntary, open access supervised self-testing with lateral flow devices, compared with control areas selected from the rest of England.

Undergraduate nursing students' experiences of online education: A cross-sectional survey.

During the coronavirus pandemic, UK Academics were required to adjust their learning and teaching environment and pedagogical approaches, with little guidance or time. Feelings of frustration and uncertainty around student engagement were commonplace across Higher Education Institutions. This was heightened in professionally regulated courses, such as nursing.

End of life care in UK care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

Purpose: To report the experiences of End of Life (EoL) care in UK care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: UK care home staff and family carers of residents in care home took part in remote, semi-structured interviews from October to November 2020, with 20 participants followed-up in March 2021. Interviews were conducted via telephone or online platforms and qualitatively analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Can Beta-D-Glucan testing as part of the diagnostic pathway for invasive fungal infection reduce anti-fungal treatment costs?

Unlabelled: We performed a cost comparison of the current diagnostic and treatment pathway for invasive fungal infection (IFI) versus a proposed pathway that incorporates Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) testing from the NHS perspective. A fungal pathogen was identified in 58/107 (54.2%) patients treated with systemic anti-fungals in the Critical Care Department.

A survey to ascertain peer support models available in Head and Neck cancer across the United Kingdom.

In cancers and chronic conditions, peer support (PS) has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and provide an important coping mechanism for patients, however there is little evidence for this intervention in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Peer support allows individuals to come together and share information, encouragement, and experiences. It is delivered in a variety of ways including one-to-one, online, and support groups.

Visual risk factors for falls in older adults: a case-control study.

Background: Falls are the second leading  cause of accidental deaths worldwide mainly in older people. Older people have poor vision and published evidence suggests that it is a risk factor for falls. Less than half of falls clinics assess vision as part of the multi-factorial assessment of older adults at risk of falls despite vision being an essential input for postural stability.

Facilitating Perinatal Access to Resources and Support (PeARS): a feasibility study with external pilot of a novel intervention.

Background: Up to 50% of women in areas of high socio-economic deprivation are at risk of developing depressive symptoms in pregnancy. Feeling well supported, can facilitate good mental health perinatally. A brief, innovative intervention to facilitate access to support and resources was developed and tested.