MEMBERS of the public were given the chance to see doctors showcase the latest research and techniques at Torbay Hospital.

The day-long event, held at the Grand Hotel in Torquay, saw about 200 turn up, including sixth form students from St Cuthbert Mayne School.

South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust chairman Peter Hildrew, who opened the day, said: "One of the real drivers in healthcare is that technology is always on the move. When there's an advance, news of it is around the world in no time at all.

"We as a trust have a responsibility to help contribute to the advancement of medical services and ensure that our staff are up to speed with all the advances.

"This trust, for its size, has a very good record for involvement in research. We aim not to be average but to be the best."

Over the course of the day, 20 speakers, including consultants and healthcare professionals, talked on various topics from eye care and anti-obesity drugs to patient safety and the most advanced surgical techniques.

Among the equipment demonstrated was a fitness testing bike which is used in Torbay Hospital's pre-operative assessment unit to check out patients ahead of operations.

A hospital spokesman explained: "This has been an important contribution to Torbay Hospital's enhanced recovery programme for patients undergoing major bowel surgery, meaning patients can leave hospital in half the national average time, in about six days instead of 12, and that the hospital's survival rate is significantly better than the average."

Torbay Hospital medical director Dr John Lowes, said: "What we have been working on strongly in the last few years is both safety and innovation."

Mr Hildrew paid tribute to hospital League of Friends president Fred Payne who died earlier this month and whose funeral coincided with the research day.

He said: "He was a great spirit and inspiration to us and the best thing we can do is carry forward this event and the programme that he was so keen to support."

The League of Friends made a key contribution, of more than £1.75million earlier this year to the costs of constructing Torbay Hospital's new £6million centre for healthcare innovation, education and research, the Horizon Centre.

Consultant ophthalmologist Mick Cole described the influential research studies that have been carried out at Torbay Hospital's Eye Unit since 2004, leading to the adoption of the much-heralded drug Lucentis for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration — a condition which leads to blindness.

The eye team at Torbay is now researching promising alternatives to Lucentis, which may improve the condition instead of just slowing the loss of sight.

The most popular demonstrations during the day were the computer simulation equipment that Torbay Hospital now uses to help advance surgeon's skills.

Consultant ophthalmologist Tamsin Sleep spoke about the simulator for cataract surgery — Torbay is one of just three hospitals nationwide to have this advanced equipment.