RESIDENTS can hear first hand about pioneering research work improving healthcare within Oxfordshire’s hospitals.

Leading researchers in fields such as heart disease, leukaemia, stroke and kidney disease will discuss latest developments in a programme of free public talks at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.

They are being staged by the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre a partnership between the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals, funded by the National Institute for Health Research which is investing more than £100m over the next five years to accelerate discoveries.

The programme begins on February 19, when Senior Research Fellow Dr Adam Mead will discuss research to improve diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases including leukaemia.

Dr Mead will also talk about state-of-the-art blood transfusion and the role of genetics.

Oxford BRC director and consultant cardiologist Professor Keith Channon said: “World class research is a vital and integral part of our hospitals but it is often a less visible aspect of what we do.”

On April 17, consultant cardiologist Dr Rajesh Kharbanda will talk about heart disease. On July 3, clinical neurologist Professor Peter Rothwell outlines leading stroke and dementia research and on September 19 Dr Nathan Hill will discuss chronic kidney disease.

All talks take place in the NOC lecture threatre starting at 6.30pm.