Southampton celebrates 75 years of NHS research
Throughout its history, research has been essential for improving the healthcare received by NHS patients.
This summer the NHS celebrates its 75th year since it was first created in 1948.
Southampton has a long history of being a research leader. This is built upon a partnership between University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Southampton.
Celebrations are taking place across the partnership, with a magazine, videos and an interactive exhibit marking 75 years of impact.
Clinical Research magazine
A special issue of the Clinical Research Southampton magazine is now available for free at Southampton General Hospital. It can also be viewed online here.
The magazine features a timeline of 75 years of research.
It also includes a visit to the LifeLab laboratory for young people and a day in the life of a research nurse.
The magazine has been co-created with a youth panel from LifeLab Southampton, who selected topics and authored some of the articles.
Southampton ‘firsts’
UHS is celebrating the milestone by looking back at some of the firsts that have taken place at the hospital.
An interactive display has been installed with some anniversary artwork near the main entrance of Southampton General Hospital.
Among the topics are several case studies for pioneering research that has been delivered in Southampton.
These include Professor David Barker’s ‘Barker hypothesis’ in 1986. This found the link between birth weight and lifetime risk for chronic diseases.
Results are also shared of a Southampton-led clinical trial that looked at vitamin supplements in pregnancy.
First published in 2006, the findings showed the lower a mother's vitamin D levels during pregnancy, the lower the child’s bone mass tended to be. Pregnant women are now routinely advised to take vitamin D supplements.
A selection of the ‘firsts’ are also available to view online here.
You can hear more about the NHS 75 celebrations by following UHSFT Research on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.