Published on: 10 August 2020
Two hospital consultants have been appointed to lead South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust in its continuing commitment to research and innovation.
Mrs Deepali Varma, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist at Sunderland Eye Infirmary, will be the new Director of Research, and Neonatal Consultant Dr Imran Ahmed has been named as Director of Innovation.
Both have vast experience which has contributed to the Trust’s enviable reputation as a world leader in many fields of research.
In recent months, the Trust has enrolled patients in several COVID-19 studies to identify treatments and assess outcomes. These include:
- the RECOVERY trial involving patients in hospital with suspected and confirmed COVID-19, which aims to identify treatments that may help their recovery
- REMAP-CAP, an international trial focusing on critically ill patients with community-acquired pneumonia to which COVID-19 specific elements were added
The Trust is also actively exploring being involved in the COVID-19 vaccine trials that are being implemented in the region.
Mrs Varma has worked at Sunderland Eye Infirmary for 12 years. Alongside her clinical role, she has conducted and published considerable, original retinal research. In the past 10 years, she has been a lead investigator for over 20, multi-centre, global and national clinical trials and has received national and regional awards for her contribution to clinical research.
Mrs Varma is committed to promoting patient-centred research and embedding it in the Trust’s day-to-day practice, delivering high quality research and establishing key links with partners in research, academia, industry and volunteer organisations. She is actively involved with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria as the regional specialty group lead for Ophthalmology.
One of her priorities in her new role as Director of Research will be to build on the fantastic patient and public involvement work with the Trust’s patient research ambassadors – local people with an interest in shaping the Trust’s research vision who volunteer their opinions and ideas.
She said: “Through patient and public involvement events, webinars and our Trust’s online research portal, we hope to further empower patients and the wider public in shaping research, and maximise opportunities for them to participate in leading edge research with us.”
Dr Ahmed joined the Trust as a Neonatal consultant in 2014 and has shared the role of Deputy Director of Innovation with Mrs Varma since September 2018. In his clinical role, he works with a team of paediatricians and neonatologists in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital, looking after pre-term and sick babies from Sunderland and South Tyneside, as well as babies needing the highest levels of care who are transferred from as far away as Carlisle and Whitehaven. Dr Ahmed is involved in regional, national and international research trials within the Neonatal field.
He said: “Innovation is embedded in our Trust’s ‘Vision and Values’ and it’s important that we encourage and recognise it in the work of every member of staff and engage more of our patients in it.
“Over the last 10 years, we have worked to make our Trust one of the most innovative, responsive and adaptive healthcare organisations in the region. I am looking forward to continuing to promote links with national and local innovation partners and networks, including the regional Academic Health Science Network and the North East’s Innovation Supernetwork. We have developed key relationships with regional universities and I hope to forge stronger ties and collaborations, starting with our closest academic centre, the University of Sunderland.”
Outgoing Director of Research and Innovation, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Mr Kim Hinshaw, has spent 10 years in the post. He will hand over to his successors in September.
He said: “I am very pleased to be handing over to Deepali and Imran. Both have worked very hard as deputy directors and I know that they are raring to go in their new roles. We have a superb, integrated Research and Innovation Team and the opportunities for the future are very exciting.”
Mr Hinshaw will still be involved as team lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology research, whilst taking on increased clinical commitment in high risk pregnancy and obstetric ultrasound.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director Dr Shaz Wahid said: “I’d like to warmly congratulate Deepali and Imran on their new appointments. Research and innovation are extremely important in terms of prevention, earlier diagnosis and providing more effective treatments, all of which lead to better outcomes and faster recovery. With their combined knowledge and experience, Deepali and Imran will play a crucial part in ensuring our Trust is at the cutting edge so we can give our patients the very best care and treatment.”
He added: “I want to say a massive thank you to Kim. As Director of Research and Innovation, he has inspired colleagues and enhanced the Trust’s reputation as a leader in the field.”
