News

Professor Aarvold shares how he's using an international travelling fellowship to advance his research into hip dysplasia.

Researchers have found a possible link between taking antibiotics during glioblastoma cancer treatment and shorter survival. The study was conducted by researchers at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and Guy’s and St Thomas’. The results are now published in the journal Clinical Oncology. Dr Sean Main, consultant neuro-oncologist at UHS, is first author. He is supported by the UHS Research Leaders Programme. Aggressive brain cancer Approximately 40 percent of patients wi

Medical physicist Dr Sofia Michopoulou has been honoured with an NHS England South East Healthcare Science Award. Dr Michopoulou is Head of Nuclear Medicine Physics at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Her research focuses on advancing imaging techniques and biomarkers to improve dementia diagnosis. This is helping to support earlier and more accurate diagnosis for patients. She was honoured with the Research and Innovation Award at this year’s NHS England South East Hea

Researchers in Southampton are joining forces to improve the health of children and young people. The Child Health Research Network has been launched by the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and Southampton Children’s Hospital (part of UHS). The network brings together local researchers, clinicians, engineers, scientists and implementation partners from across Southampton and the wider region. By combining their expertise, they aim to develop

Dr Thomas Daniels is a Consultant in Respiratory and General Medicine at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). His research has been supported at UHS through the Research Leaders Programme. This Clean Air Day, he talks about his recent appointment as the new NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Sustainability Champion. He shares why the role is important, what he hopes to achieve through it, and what we can all do to help. Why is sustainability important in heal

Three researchers on the UHS Research Leaders Programme have received a prestigious NIHR award. Dr Sofia Michopoulou, Dr Caroline Anderson and Dr Ahilanandan Dushianthan have each been awarded an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA). They have all been part of the UHS Research Leaders Programme (RLP). This has provided them with the time, skills and support needed to put together their applications. The SCPRA award will now fund the next stage of thei

A multi-million pound clinical trial is exploring treatment for childhood asthma attacks. The EVITA trial (Evaluation of Intravenous Therapy in Asthma) is comparing three medicines currently used to treat children and young people with severe acute asthma. The study has received £2.3 million in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is co-led by experts from UHS and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The trial is led locally by D

A retired builder says he hopes taking part in a clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) could help find a treatment for others living with his rare neurological condition. David Booth was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) three years ago. It is a rare and incurable condition that affects around 3,000 people in the UK. He was the first person in the UK to join an international clinical trial. The treatment being tested could potentially slow

Dr Matt Stammers doesn’t just treat patients - he is also improving the systems around them. He isn’t your typical consultant gastroenterologist. Thanks to his place on the Research Leaders Programme (RLP), Matt has been able to turn his ideas into real improvements for patient care. “I’m not the fuel in the engine,” he says. “I’m the engine oil - I help everything run better.” Matt’s work ensures that UHS is always improving. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped identify

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of conditions that cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs, making it harder to breathe. The most common form has a life expectancy of three to five years from diagnosis, with limited treatment options. Dr Sophie Fletcher, Consultant Respiratory Physician at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), has dedicated her research career towards improving care for these patients. However, she is aware that she cannot do this alone. The

Using virtual reality (VR) to explain medical procedures may reduce patients' anxiety, according to a new study at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Around 6 in 10 adults in England struggle to understand complex medical information. This affects their ability to make a fully informed decision about whether to undergo a procedure. The study tested the use of VR with 150 people at UHS. It was led by consultant urological surgeons Professor Bhaskar Somani and Dr Amelia

A wireless sensor the size of a paperclip could soon transform care for people living with chronic heart failure. The sensor allows them to monitor their condition daily from home. It means they and their healthcare team can catch warning signs before they become emergencies. It has been recommended for use from today in new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This breakthrough is based on evidence from research, including the COAST tri

A pioneering data registry linking data on road collisions and healthcare is part of a new national road safety strategy. The Pre-hospital Research and Audit Network (PRANA) is delivered by a growing team led in University Hospital Southampton (UHS). It aims to save lives by connecting data. These new insights can inform improvements in patient care and support disease prevention. The national registry is based within the Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE). PRANA has been h

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is part of a new, UK‑wide partnership to speed up the development of better treatments for brain tumours. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced £13.7 million to launch the Brain Tumour Research Consortium. Brain tumours are among the hardest cancers to treat. The new consortium will help researchers: understand the disease better test new innovative treatments earlier make trials available to more adults

Image credit: DBV Technologies New trial results show a specially designed patch could help children with peanut allergy. Hundreds of young children with a peanut allergy took part at dozens of sites for the international clinical trial, including at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). The VIASKIN® Peanut Patch is designed to help children with a peanut allergy build up a tolerance. The aim is to prevent severe reactions if they accidentally eat peanut. Topline results,

Stroke patients assessed on the way to hospital have been shown to get treatment faster, with better outcomes. A trial at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) piloted video calls between paramedics and specialist nurses to assess patients in the ambulance. This led to faster scans, quicker treatment and better chances of recovery. The project is led by Dr Richard Marigold, Consultant Stroke Physician. He presented the latest findings at the UK Stroke Forum, a major platform

Left to right: James Allen, UHS Chief Pharmacist, Prof Cathy McKenzie, Professor of Intensive Care Pharmacy, and Prof Mike Grocott, Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre Southampton researchers are leading a new trial to see if giving certain patients vitamin B1 reduces the chances of delirium during intensive care. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience a syndrome called delirium. This causes hallucinations and can make patients very

We brought together those new to research at our annual event ‘Connecting New Researchers’. SoAR co-hosted this year’s event with the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). It was held at the Axis Conference Centre on Thursday 13th November 2025. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to welcome newly appointed health researchers at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) into the world of research. Kick-starting their research career Attendees included NIHR Ac

Professor Cathy McKenzie is a pharmacist delivering pioneering research in Southampton. She recently started as Professor of Intensive...

Trained volunteers are supporting older patients to stay active during their hospital stay in a compassionate research study. The...