Personal profile

Overview

GP and Clinical Senior Lectuer in Primary Care

 

Biography

I am a GP and Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research. My roles include:

  • Princpal Investigator for the NIHR Health Services & Delivery Research Programme study: Apply Systems Thinking to enhance recovery after acute kidney injury (ASTERAKI)
  • Co-Lead and Board member for the NIHR Manchester School for Primary Care Research 
  • Co-Lead for the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration Developing Safer Health and Care Systems Theme
  • Co-Lead for the NIHR Manchester Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme

Other roles include:

  • NHS England Renal Services Transformation Programme: Lead for Post-AKI care working group, AKI workstream (2021-)
  • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Specialist Committe Member for Acute Kidney Injury Quality Standard (2022-23)

 

Research interests

I am a senior academic GP with expertise in implementation research focused on patient safety across systems of care for people with complex health and care needs. I am particularly interested in developing, implementing and evaluating strategies to improve care and outcomes for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or who have sustained acute kidney injury (AKI), whilst navigating the challenge of avoiding 'too much medicine.'

Since my last promotion in 2015, my clinical academic expertise to address key NHS priorities is evidenced by leadership roles across key NIHR infrastructure including: Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research (CLAHRC) Greater Manchester; GM Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC); Manchester School for Primary Care Research (SPCR); and the Manchester Integrated Academic Training (IAT) programme.

For over a decade I have led a range of multidisciplinary kidney health research studies. With patient voice and expertise central, I am currently Chief Investigator for the NIHR Health Services Delivery Research funded AsterAKI study to enhance recovery after AKI.  

AKI is a common, harmful, and costly clinical syndrome. In England it affects nearly half a million people a year, with 1 in 7 people admitted to hospital unexpectedly having sustained AKI. It is more common in older people living with multiple health conditions. AKI is an important marker of vulnerability and is associated with high mortality rates, high rates of unplanned readmission (1 in 5 within 30 days) and poor long-term cardiovascular outcomes (1 in 5 sustain AKI again, 1 in 6 develop CKD, and over the year following AKI, 1 in 4 suffer a major cardiovascular event). By 2040, CKD is predicted to be the fifth leading contributor to the volume of deaths worldwide.

My leadership of kidney health research has been aligned with national roles on the NHS England Think Kidneys Programme Board (2014-17), Royal College of General Practitioners’ AKI Clinical Champion (2017-20), and Lead for the NHSE Renal Services Transformation Programme Post-AKI care group (2021-23). These roles have led to national guidance on post-discharge care following AKI, which have informed NICE COVID-19 guidelines [NG191] as well as the NICE AKI Quality Standard (QS76). Building on this clinical-academic platform, I am currently a member of the international KDIGO AKI Guideline Work Group.

With a commitment to building research capacity, I co-lead the NIHR Manchester Integrated Academic Training Programme, with responsibilities for supporting 50 Academic Clinical Fellows and 30 Clinical Lecturers across 26 GMC Specialties. Building on my role as SPCR Training Lead, I am also Co-Lead for the NIHR Manchester School for Primary Care Research. These roles are aligned with my vision to develop a diverse clinical and academic workforce with the skills to address key health and care priorities across Greater Manchester, the North of England and beyond, leading to a healthier society for all.

Memberships of committees and professional bodies

Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners

Fellow ad eundum gradum, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Member of Think Kidneys Programme Board 2014-

Member of RCGP Kidney Care Clinical Priority Programme 2013-2016

Qualifications

1993 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

1997 Diploma in Child Health, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, Glasgow.

1999 Certificate of Prescribed Experience, The Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice, United Kingdom.

1999 Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom. Pass with Distinction

2004 Masters in Health and Community Research, The University of Manchester.
Pass with Distinction

2010 PhD School of Medicine, The University of Manchester
 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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