The Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac (PaCC) research network, launched in 2024, is a network of Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHP) committed to improving the lives of children, young people (CYP) and adults with congenital and inherited cardiac conditions and their families, through collaboration, support and promotion of research in the field.
This network aligns with the CHD research network at the University of Birmingham (which focuses on medical/surgical clinical trials research) , who have links with the Pediatric Heart Network in the USA.
PaCC members are also linked with global NMAHP researchers through the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC) and the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Cardiac Nurses Forum. It will represent and develop the expertise of NMAHP researchers, foster global research collaborations, and create multi-centre opportunities for research to positively impact on outcomes, safety and experience.
The NMAHP research culture, capacity and capability is growing in this area, broadening and strengthening the ability to address the United Kingdom’s top 10 research priorities in children and adults with congenital heart disease, as identified through the James Lind Priority Setting Partnership (Drury et al 2022). PaCC will represent and develop the expertise of NMAHP researchers, foster global research collaborations, and create multi-centre opportunities for research to positively impact on outcomes, safety and experience.
Project Aims:
The aim of this cross-sectional survey was
- to understand the research culture, capacity and capability for NMAHP working in Congenital Heart Disease Networks (including inherited and acquired cardiac services) in the United Kingdom and Ireland
- to ascertain what research means to them at an organisational and team
- to ascertain their individual level of success and skill in relation to research
Project Team:
Professor Kerry Gaskin, Professor of Congenital Cardiac Nursing, Birmingham City University
Project Impact:
The findings provide a cross-sectional assessment of research capacity and capability for NMAHPs working in CHD services across the UK and Ireland and demonstrate that there is growth in this area, broadening and strengthening the ability to address the United Kingdom’s top 10 research priorities in children and adults with congenital heart disease, as identified through the James Lind Priority Setting Partnership (Drury et al 2022).
The findings will inform the development of capacity and capability building interventions and activities for members of the CHD NMAHP Research Network.
Contact:
For more information on the project, please contact Kerry.gaskin2@bcu.ac.uk