Better and Faster Medical Treatment: Point-of-Care 3D Printing Research Group Impact Case Studies

The Point-of-Care 3D Printing Research group was awarded two grants from UEA Health and Social Care Partners in 2022 and 2023 to conduct evaluation and proof-of-concept research on setting up a regional point-of-care medical 3D printing service to serve all regional NHS hospitals.

The two projects that were funded for the group were Adopting 3D Technology to Improve Breast Cancer (BEAT) and Regional NHS Point-of-Care 3D Printing Service.

The group used breast reconstruction surgery as an example, where in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, approximately 200 post-mastectomy breast reconstructions are performed each year using autologous tissue from other parts of the patient's body.

The group conducted a survey to gauge NHS clinicians' opinions on 3D printing technology, with specific interest in

• Who was familiar with 3D printing
• If they use this as an outsourced service and if so, what they use it for
• Gauge interest in a more local service