My Vision for HaemSTAR

It’s an immense honour to take over from Pip Nicolson as HaemSTAR chair. Pip has led us over the last six years from inception and has grown HaemSTAR into a real force to be reckoned with. Whilst we have thus far had tremendous success, it is not time to rest on our laurels. Rather, it is time to harness the energy and momentum that Pip has built up and transform HaemSTAR into something even more powerful.  

Producing Impactful Change 

Both Pip and I agree that the real point of clinical research is to produce impactful change for the better. Whilst our large-scale audits and observational studies add much value and will continue, we need to focus on how we best make use of the finite resource that is our collaborators. Thanks to our amazing collaborators – registrars, other junior doctors, and plenty of consultants – HaemSTAR can do things that very few other organisations can do. That’s why we want to harness this and lead projects that can inform better care. To this end, Pip will set up HaemTRIAL, a parallel network that will work in partnership with HaemSTAR to perform prospective studies. The HaemSTAR committee have already met to brainstorm ideas and we have three potential projects: 1) Randomised trial of venesection versus no venesection for idiopathic and secondary polycythaemia; 2) Randomised trial of blanket screening for antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with unprovoked VTE; 3) a randomised trial of tranexamic acid in heavy menstrual bleeding. These will all be fleshed out and discussed further in due course with the intention of applying for funding. 

Professionalising HaemSTAR 

HaemSTAR has grown from something that could easily be managed by a handful of people to a machine that has many moving parts and requires a good deal of management. Pip is tremendously organised – a quality that I cannot replicate. We have therefore unanimously decided to employ an administrator who will at first work four hours a week to answer emails, arrange meetings, and perform other day-to-day admin tasks. We are delighted that we have recruited Helen Apperley to this post. Helen is attentive and diligent, and will be a fantastic addition to the team. 

Widening Access to Research 

There are many ideas and many people in search of projects. HaemSTAR can help bring these together by creating a project matchmaking page on our website. Expansion of the network will continue, especially among doctors and registrars, with a focus on fostering relationships that could lead to research partnerships. We will help set up parallel networks of nurses and allied health professionals, facilitating their involvement in research projects. 

Widening Access to Research Through Education 

I am keen that we provide a small educational offering by inviting inspiring speakers to deliver talks via a free, monthly Webinar that will take place on a weekday morning 8:30 – 9:00 (not clashing with the excellent UKHCDO programme). The idea of these is to bring you really interesting speakers that will be more idea and research focussed than pure content. We have some really engaging talks lined up and this will be launched soon. 

We have also applied for funding to produce a monthly journal club podcast. More details will follow if this is awarded.  

Funding Travel and International Collaboration 

We are excited that we have been awarded $37,500 from the ISTH London 2022 legacy fund. This will go towards awarding travel grants ($25,000) and setting up international collaborations ($12,500). Information on eligibility and how to apply for this funding will be on our website shortly. 

Improving Engagement with Regional Representatives 

We have some wonderful regional reps but thus far have not been too good at engaging with them. In the last year, Pip and I have made a point of meeting with all new regional reps to introduce ourselves, the concept of HaemSTAR and what we would like them to do. This has helped but we also intend on having an online meeting twice a year to update on projects and promote a two-way conversation. The details for the first meeting which will take place in September will be released soon. 

HaemSTAR Prizes 

We know that some of you put in immense amounts of effort and work into the things that you do, consistently going above and beyond your day job. It is important to recognise and reward this excellence and I am pleased to announce that prizes will be awarded at our annual meeting in 2024. The exact nature of these prizes is yet to be determined but will likely include awards such as project of the year, HaemSTAR rep of the year, and non-malignant haematology educator of the year. 

Working with Industry Partners 

Working with industry can often be contentious but I feel it is both necessary and mutually beneficial to continue to develop our industry links in a way that maintains our integrity but allows us to do fantastic work. The RAPIDO project is a good example of how to work with industry. AstraZeneca have provided £90,000 funding for the project with academic control of the project remaining with us. This shows that where interests align, there are huge opportunities. Of course, we will remain vigilant to exploitation and seek advice from senior academics where appropriate. 

HaemSTAR is yours

No matter what my goals are for HaemSTAR, it remains an organisation for you. We are here to offer opportunities to get into research and to promote non-malignant / classical haematology. If you have an idea or want to find out more, just send me an email - richard.buka@nhs.net.

If you want to read more of my musings mostly about classical/non-malignant haematology, follow my blog on Substack.