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ReMemBr Group Research

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Our main branches of research concern:

  • predicting who will develop memory problems such as Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease;
  • treating memory problems and neurodegenerative diseases;
  • understanding how different types of memories are stored, and which brain regions underlie this.

We use several techniques for this including:

  • clinical trials and drug studies
  • sleep studies, including polysomnography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • studies with patients with diseases
  • computational modelling

For more information on the University of Bristol Dementia Research Group visit
www.bristol.ac.uk/translational-health-sciences/research/neurosciences/…

 

Educational Resources

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Educational Resources

 

Welcome to the SWGLH repository for resources to support learning in the field of Genomics

This page will use a combination of signposting to other websites with useful Genomics educational tools and locally developed education and training packages that have open access

 

Content coming soon

Meet the SWGLH Team

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Meet the SWGLH Team

picture of Genomics Lab staff Dr Emma Baple

SWGLH Medical Director and Deputy Clinical Director SWGMSA

Dr Emma Baple

Maggie Williams

SWGLH Operations Director and Head of Bristol Genetics Laboratory Services

Dr Maggie Williams

picture of GLH staff Andrew Parrish

Head of Exeter Genomics Laboratory & Informatics Director

Mr Andy Parrish

The Directorship is supported by the Regional Team:

  • Dr Tom Coates, SWGLH Haematological Malignancies Medical Lead
  • Dr Julia Rankin & Dr Ruth Cleaver, SWGLH Rare Disease Medical Leads
  • Dr Louise Medley, SWGLH Cancer Medical Lead
  • Dr Yves Zhang, SWGLH Pathology Lead
  • Chris Wragg, SWGLH Haematological Malignancies Lead & Deputy Head of Bristol Genetics Laboratory
  • Laura Yarram-Smith,  SWGLH Solid Tumours Lead
  • Ian Berry, SWGLH Rare Disease Lead
  • Jenny Glauert,  SWGLH Technology Laboratory Manager
  • Lorraine Warne, SWGLH Business Lead
  • Brendan Hanrahan, SWGLH Finance and Contracts Manager
  • Mel Watson, SWGLH Education and Training Lead
  • Sharon Thompson, SWGLH Education Coordinator
  • Mel Little, SWGLH Quality Improvement Lead
  • Chris Buxton, SWGLH Informatics Lead

This page was last updated at 20:01 Friday 11th August 2023

SWGLH Quality

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The South West genomic Laboratory Hub is committed to providing a service of the highest quality.

Information on accreditation, quality assurance including turn around times,  user feedback and complaints procedures can be accessed below

Accreditation

 

Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) and Exeter Genetics Laboratory (EGL) are UKAS accredited medical laboratories numbers 9307 and 8092. UKAS assesses against the International Standard for medical laboratories, BS EN ISO15189:2012. Further information on accreditation is available via the UKAS website.

Details of activities that are currently provided under the scope of accreditation can be found at:

  1. BGL Schedule of Accreditation
  2. EGL Schedule of Accreditation - link to follow

In certain circumstances laboratory tests will be performed outside the scope of accreditation. This may arise when new services are introduced, for which UKAS accreditation is yet to be awarded. Application for extension to the laboratory scope will be submitted, however, whilst accreditation is pending the test continues to be performed to the same rigorous internal quality control standards and protocols as accredited tests. It should be noted that elements of the Whole Genome Sequencing service are undertaken by an external provider and are, therefore, provided outside the laboratory’s UKAS scope of accreditation.Methods that are currently pending accreditation are as follows:

Unaccredited Tests
ActivityComments
Automated slide staining and washing for Fluorescence in situ Hybridisation (FISH) using the Abbott VIP2000 processing unit

UKAS for extension to scope assessment complete. Accreditation process ongoing.

DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours using MethylationEPIC ArrayUKAS for extension to scope assessment complete. Accreditation process ongoing.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Roche solid tumour and haemato-oncology DNA panelsUKAS for extension to scope assessment complete. Accreditation process ongoing.
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) using Roche Solid Tumour and haemato-oncology RNA  panelsApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) using EvaGreen technology to confirm RD Copy Number Variants (CNVs)UKAS for extension to scope assessment complete. Accreditation process ongoing.
Myra Liquid Handling Robot used in preparation of digital droplet PCR assaysApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Whole Genome Sequencing sample preparation, analysis and reportingApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) service analysing shallow WGS data through SOPHiA DDM "GIInger" pipelineApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Scanning of MethylationEPIC Arrays for central nervous system tumours using Illumina iScanApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Use of Azure 280 for FSHD1 Southern blotting image captureApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Oncology MSI-Plus NGS serviceApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Univ8 EuroClonality NGS DNA capture panel for MRDApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Illumina GSA Cyto SNP microarray and analysis using Bionano VIA software enterprise Application to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.
Extraction of DNA from saliva and buccal brush samples using the EZ1 BiorobotApplication to UKAS for extension to scope of accreditation submitted. Pending assessment.

External Quality Assessment

The SWGLH participates in a comprehensive range EQA schemes provided by the following:

UKNEQAS / GenQA

EMQN

 

Where a formal EQA scheme is not available, arrangements for an informal sample swap testing scheme are made with another accredited laboratory.

Target Turnaround Times

The SWGLH is working towards 90% compliance with national reporting time guidelines stated in the table below:

word table with text information SWGLH turn around times

 

 

Cancer Genomic Turnaround Times

Below are the turnaround times (TAT) for the Cancer Genomic Services at the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SWGLH).  Cancer Genomic Services for the SW GLH are delivered from the Bristol Genetics Laboratory. Unless otherwise stated TAT is measured in calendar days from the date of sample receipt at Bristol Genetics to the point at which a result is returned to the requestor.

Further information on requesting a test can be found at SWGLH Sample and Test Information. 

Solid Tumour Genomics

Please contact SWGLHcancer@nbt.nhs.uk for further information. 

CategoryNHSE TAT Target    2023 Average TATCurrent Average TAT
Tumour NGS Panels21 days13 days [96% in TAT]10 days [100% in TAT]
Tumour Gene Fusion Panel21 days19 days [67% in TAT]12 days [97% in TAT]
Targeted Molecular Analysis14 days9 days [90% in TAT]8 days [100% in TAT]
DPYD5 days1 day [100% in TAT]1 day [100% in TAT]
FISH14 days10 days [82% in TAT]13 days [72% in TAT]

 

Haematological Malignancy Genomics

Please contact Haem Duty Scientist SWGLHhaemonc@nbt.nhs.uk for further information.

CategoryNHSE TAT Target    2023 Average TATCurrent Average TAT
PML-RARA3 days1 day [100% in TAT]1 day [100% in TAT]
Urgent FISH14 days6 days [89% in TAT]6 days [90% in TAT]
Urgent Karyotype14 days11 days [80% in TAT] 6 days [100% in TAT]
Urgent Molecular Haematology14 days3 days [100% in TAT]3 days [100% in TAT]
Routine FISH21 days14 days [85% in TAT]10 days [100% in TAT]
Routine Karyotype21 days22 days [54% in TAT]11 days [100% in TAT]
Routine Molecular Haematology (e.g. JAK2)14 days10 days [88% in TAT]9 days [91% in TAT]
Haematology NGS Panels21 days16 days [82% in TAT]11 days [99% in TAT]

 

User Feedback

As the SWGLH , we strive to fulfil the requirements of all our service users and conduct regular user surveys. We are always happy to receive comments and feedback from our service users, please use the contact details below . This drives continual improvement and ensures that our service meets the needs of both referrers and patients.

If you would like to provide feedback please email us mailto: SWGLHenquiries@nbt.nhs.uk

Complaints

We would like to assure our service users that complaints are taken very seriously and are fully investigated. The SWGLH laboratories respond to complaints in line with their respective Trust complaints policies and procedures. Further information can be found via the links below:

NBT Complaints Procedure

EGL Complaints Procedure

This page was last updated 14/02/2025

SWGLH Education

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SWGLH Education


The SWGLH is committed to the development of the Clinical Workforce to ensure that it is educated to deliver a quality assured Genomic Medicine Service for the population that is served in the region.

SWGLH guiding principles for training and education

The SWGLH workforce development strategy is underpinned by a set of guiding principles:

  • It is aimed at the multi-professional workforce and not limited to professional groups
  • It is cross-organisational and not is bound to existing institutional boundaries
  • It is focussed on ensuring a genomically knowledgeable workforce aligned to deliver equity of testing to the local population


The SWGLH education and training plan defines the portfolio of Genomic education and training activities required to deliver the workforce development strategy. 

There will be several different modes of delivery to underpin the plan's guiding principles:

  • Accessible to all - where possible based on individual learning needs
  • Various modes and formats to support different styles of learning
    • Following current guidelines in line with social distancing - using remote delivery methodology
  • Using evaluation and improvement science methodology to continuously drive for quality education and training that is fit for its intended purpose

Education and Training Leadership and Networks

  • The Education strategy and plan is led by the SWGLH Education and Training Lead.  Contact details above
  • The lead facilitates activity from teams and individuals across the regions’ key stakeholder groups including expertise from Scientists, Clinicians and Educationalists

This area of the website has content pages associated with:

  • Information on future educational events
  • Resources from past events
  • Signposting to both national genomics educational packages and locally developed resources
  • Link to a genomics glossary.

SWGLH Research

The SWGLH participates in many research projects working with both University and Commercial partners. Please contact the service if you wish to discuss any research projects you are involved with and how we may help to support you.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework.

  • Are you a healthcare practitioner who aspires to be a Co-Investigator or Principal Investigator
  • Could you help to mentor colleagues to develop research delivery leaders of the future?
  • Are you an employer looking for new ways to develop the next generation of Research Delivery Leads?

Visit NIHR & AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework

Course opportunity: Working with People and Communities to Improve Health Outcomes

About the course

This course is designed so participants can work at their own pace for a few hours over a couple of weeks. The course looks at why it is important to work with people and communities, how we can successfully involve marginalised communities, and some of the challenges to working with people and communities that health and care professionals can face and how they can be overcome. The course also explores how to create better health outcomes through working with people, and can support you to think about what it means to be really heard – and what difference that can make. 

Who is the course for?

The course is mainly for NHS and social care professionals including clinicians, receptionists and clinical students.

How do I sign-up?

You can sign up on the FutureLearn website here

Is the course funded?

If you work within the NHS, your upgrade is fully-funded through a partnership between the NHS and FutureLearn. You will be able to get a certificate for completing the course and will keep access to the sessions.  Details on how to do this, along with eligibility criteria, are available here. 

SWGLH Education & Training Lead Contact Info

Phone icon

melanie.watson@nbt.nhs.uk

Bristol Genetics Laboratory

BGL Contact info image

Address

Bristol Genetics Laboratory
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5NB

General Enquiries

01174146168

SWGLHenquiries@nbt.nhs.uk

Opening hours

Monday – Friday
8:30am – 6:00pm

 

Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL)

Dr Ankur Srivastava - Gastroenterology & Hepatology

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GMC number: 6145675

Dr Ankur Srivastava

Year of first qualification: 2006, University of Bristol

Specialty: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endoscopy

Clinical interest: Hepatology, General Gastroenterology including Functional and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Endoscopy

Secretary: Joanne Hartry

Tel: 0117 4146499

Dr Ankur Srivastava graduated from the University of Bristol in 2006 and completed his specialist training in London. He participated in doctoral (PhD) studies at the University College London, with whom he maintains an affiliation, and the Royal Free liver transplant unit with a focus on earlier detection of chronic liver disease.

Dr Srivastava is a GMC registered gastroenterologist and hepatologist with interests in inflammatory bowel disease, liver transplant medicine and advanced hepatology. Dr Srivastava returned to Bristol as a consultant in 2018. He is a general gastroenterologist, hepatologist and endoscopist working in a large multi-disciplinary team. He has a sub-specialist interest in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease. He is a member of the BASL NAFLD special interest group (SIG). The department has developed close links with Kings College London liver transplant unit with the majority of pre- and post- transplant care conducted in North Bristol.

Dr Srivastava is leading the trusts accreditation in the Royal College of Physicians ‘Improving Quality in Liver Services” process. This is a national quality improvement project to document and improve all aspects of patient care including leadership and operational delivery, clinical effectiveness and involving patients in service development. He has also helped develop a rapid access clinic for patients suffering significant flares of their inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr Srivastava is the research lead for Gastroenterology at the trust with an expanding and diverse research portfolio. Dr Srivastava is principle investigator at the trust for a commercial drug trial for patients with NAFLD. He is sub-investigator for a number of trials in inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and endoscopy and has published over 5 peer reviewed journal articles in the past few years.

Related links

Srivastava

SNAHPer Resources

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Suitable for all members of the SNAHPer Group, here you will find links to useful training and software that may aid you in your role.

SNAHPer logo

Please note, our software suggestions are not supported by NBT, and should not be loaded onto NBT computers. They are recommended for personal use only. Software provided by your Higher Education Institution (HEI) should also be used if you have access to it.

External Training Opportunities

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West offers a range of training opportunities over the year including:

  • Writing for a lay audience.
  • How to win at Twitter.
  • Introduction to service evaluation.
  • Basic statistics and interpretation.

You can apply for this via the ARC West website. This site also has links to short training courses that local universities offer.

Free Online Training

Open University – Succeeding at postgraduate study

Open University – Postgraduate study skills in science, technology or mathematics

AcoRD – Attributing the costs of health and social care Research and Development

Future Learn – Online courses covering a range of topics

Researcher Academy – Access to countless e-learning resources designed to support researchers on every step of their research journey  

Students 4 Best Evidence (S4BE) – A growing network of students from around the world, from school age to university, who are interested in learning more about evidence-based health care (EBH) 

Speechbite – Rating research quality (offers a concise training tool to start you thinking about undertaking quality appraisal of papers)

Free Software

Endnote Reference Management

PSPP – A free, open source version of SPSS

Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) – A list of open source options

Open Office – A free, full office suite including Word Processing, Spreadsheet and Presentation programmes.

Rayyan – A leading provider of collaboration and research tools that power the global research community in pursuit of accelerated scientific discovery

JASP – An open-source statistics program that is free, friendly, and flexible. Designed to be easy to use, and familiar to users of SPSS.

JANE (Journal/Author Name Estimator) – Comparison tool to find the best matching journals, authors or articles on PubMed.

View Our Research

Doctor conducting research at NBT

Explore the ground-breaking research currently taking place at North Bristol NHS Trust.

About Research & Development

NBT Researcher

Find out more about our research and how we're working to improve patient care.

Contact Research

Research & Development
North Bristol NHS Trust
Level 3, Learning & Research building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol, BS10 5NB

Telephone: 0117 4149330
Email: research@nbt.nhs.uk

SNAHPer Workshops

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SNAHPer offer regular support sessions, providing opportunities for its members to discuss any number of topics they may need advice on.

SNAHPer logo

Peer support sessions are held fortnightly in the Café area of Vu (Brunel Building), where Senior Research Associate Dr Sam Harding and other SNAHPer’s will be available to discuss the likes of project ideas, signposting different routes to career development, and how to disseminate any work that’s already been undertaken.

In addition, the group runs a series of workshops to introduce its members to different research methods and skills. Development of these sessions will be dependent on the engagement from SNAHPers and their identification of need.

Research Workshops are in ongoing development and will be available to book as they confirmed via LINK.

Library Workshops

In addition to the workshops directly organised by R&I SNAHPers, a series of workshops co-led by the Library, Audit and Quality Improvement departments will also be made available to group members. Geared at staff who may be new to areas of investigation, these sessions aim to help move ‘Ideas into practice: Navigating your way into improved patient care’. 

These workshops are currently being reformatted. Please get in touch with the Library Team via southmead.library@nbt.nhs.uk if you have any requests about what you would like to have featured in these workshops.

View Our Research

Doctor conducting research at NBT

Explore the ground-breaking research currently taking place at North Bristol NHS Trust.

About Research & Development

NBT Researcher

Find out more about our research and how we're working to improve patient care.

Contact Research

Research & Development
North Bristol NHS Trust
Level 3, Learning & Research building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol, BS10 5NB

Telephone: 0117 4149330
Email: research@nbt.nhs.uk

Thornbury Outpatient Clinic

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Visiting times

Thornbury Outpatient Clinic is not a walk-in centre, appointments are made via GP referral only. Visiting times do not apply.

 

The new premises from which outpatient and midwifery appointments will be delivered

Telephone: 01454 415 750

Outpatient and community midwifery appointments, previously provided from Thornbury Hospital.

Travel information

By Road

From M5 South

  • Leave at Junction 16, taking the A38 north for approximately six miles.
  • At the third set of traffic lights, next to the Alveston House Hotel and Berkeley Motors, turn left, taking the B4061 into Thornbury.
  • Follow the B4061 down the hill, over the mini roundabout and through Thornbury High Street where parking is available either in Castle Court car park, or ‘on-street’ in the bays provided.
    • Alternatively take the second exit on the first mini roundabout before entering the High Street and the first exit on the following two mini roundabouts.
    • It is then possible to turn left into Chapel Street and then right into St Mary Street to access the St Mary Street car park.
    • The other option is to pass the entrance to Chapel Street and turn right into Bath Road, which will bring you to the entrance of Rock Street car park on the left.

From M5 North

  • Leave at Junction 14, taking the A38 south for approximately two miles.
  • Turn right onto the B4061, into Thornbury.
  • Continue on the B4061 and follow it until you reach a mini roundabout, where you will see the Royal George public house on the right.
  • Taking the second exit on the mini roundabout will take you past ‘The Pump’ monument on your right and into Thornbury High Street, where parking is available in Castle Court car park, or ‘on-street’ in the bays provided.
    • Alternatively you can choose to take the first exit on the mini roundabout, which will take you into Quaker Lane, and then Rock Street, where shortly after the pelican crossing the entrance to Bath Road and Rock Street car park can be found.
    • Alternatively it is possible to pass the entrance to Bath Road, but choose to turn left into Chapel Street and then right into St Mary Street to access the St Mary Street car park.

 

By Bus

For information on travelling by Bus to Thornbury Outpatient Clinic:

 

By Bicycle

The St Mary Centre has two separate cycle parking areas, where bicycles can be locked to metal cycle stands. One of these is located near to the entrance of Aldi, and the other at the northern end of the pedestrian section of St Mary Street. Dismounted bicycles can also be pushed through the St Mary Centre.
The St Mary Centre is also on Route 410, otherwise popularly known as the Avon Cycleway. Route 410, also links to other popular national cycle routes. You can find out more by visiting the Avon Cycleway website.

 

 

Parking information

There are 3 local car parks with free parking:


Rock Street Car Park - Bath Rd, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2FH
Short stay – 2 hours (between 8am – 6pm)
Long stay – 12 hours

Castle Court Car Park - 35 Castle Ct, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BQ
Short stay – 2 hours (between 8am – 6pm)
Long stay – 12 hours

St Mary Street Car Park - 24 St Mary St, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2AT
Short stay – 2 hours

Thornbury Outpatient Clinic
St Mary Centre
9 Mary Street
Thornbury
BS35 2AB
United Kingdom

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