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Article History

Received: 3 March 2021

Accepted: 30 August 2021

First Online: 8 September 2021

Declarations

:

: This study was conducted within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust determined this study as an audit because patient management was not altered, only routinely collected data were used and the data were fully anonymized. As this was deemed an audit, in keeping with Health Research Authority guidance and the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, there is no requirement for research ethics committee approval. As this project was determined an audit, the requirement for patient consent was therefore waived in keeping with guidance issued by the Health Research Authority, based on the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research.

: Not applicable.

: Dr Boyle reports received funding from the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Research and Development office for research outside of the submitted work. Dr. Young reports grants from Health Research Council of New Zealand, during the conduct of the study. Outside of the submitted work Prof McAuley reports personal fees from consultancy for GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Ely Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Bayer, funds to his institution from grants from the UK NIHR and others. In addition, Prof McAuley has a patent application issued to his institution. Outside of the submitted work Dr O’Kane reports a travel grant from AstraZeneca and that her spouse has received personal fees from consultancy for GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Ely Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Bayer. Dr O’Kane’s institution has also received funds from grants from the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Research and Development office for studies outside of the submitted work. All other authors declare no competing interests.