Two new members of specialist research staff have started work at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital after more than £265,000 was jointly raised by Caple and the Billie Elizabeth Wood Trust (BEWT). The researchers will be focussed on subarachnoid haemorrhage and vasospasm to drive ground-breaking improvements in this field of medicine.

Money collected includes £12,000 from the latest fundraising initiative at Sirius Buying Group’s 2023 trade show awards gala dinner charity auction.

Family members set up the charity after Billie Wood, the beloved daughter of Caple’s service director, Richard Wood, niece of Caple’s managing director, Danny Lay and finance director, Graham Perry, and the granddaughter of chairman, Maurice Lay, passed away suddenly in intensive care from a vasospasm six days after suffering a SAH.

These funds have helped the Southmead Hospital Charity to fund a vasospasm research nurse and research facilitator, following agreement on a proposal submitted by one of the hospital’s consultant neurosurgeons, Crispin Wigfield. Crispin and his colleagues are keen to have a dedicated vasospasm research team to drive ground-breaking improvements in this field of medicine.

Crispin explains, “I am really delighted to have the core members of the research team appointed with this focus on vasospasm research. Already they are bringing additional perspectives for research to the table. The goal of saving more lives and improving the quality of life and outcomes of survivors, is something that will be shared and distributed nationally in all centres caring for those who suffer a subarachnoid haemorrhage. There is also a view that hospitals that are research active, or participate in research, ultimately benefit from improved outcomes for their patients.”

Ryan Leesehas been appointed as the new vasospasm research nurse and his work will include responsibility for setting up studies and trials and enrolling patients. He will also collate data via medical records and send this on for analysis to look for trends and subsequently provide clinicians with a clearer picture of SAH and vasospasm and how to treat them. Humza Saeed is the new research facilitator, and he will support the neurosurgery team to identify areas where vasospasm and SAH-related work can be focused to improved care. Humza will also help this team to identify potential funding avenues for future research, such as clinical trials, and establish and grow the vasospasm research team to conduct this ‘home-grown’ research, which is to support Southmead in becoming a centre of excellence for vasospasm research.

Caple’s Service director and Billie’s father, Richard Wood, conclude, “My daughter’s sudden death at such a young age was heartbreaking for family and friends, and we know she would support our aim to help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. She would be extremely proud of the way in which we have managed to make a difference with the appointment of these two new roles.”

Fundraising activities continue, and you can make a donation to BEWT here. Please visit our latest blog for more information on these two new roles.

For more information on Caple, please visit www.caple.co.uk