You started a new role as Clinical Director of Trauma and Orthopaedics at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. What does that entail?
As the Clinical Director in the Trauma and Orthopaedics Directorate I look after the Nuffield Orthopaedics Centre, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, trauma at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and trauma at the Horton Hospital. I've been doing it since last August and I'm responsible for the day to day running of the directorate, covering clinical care across patients, and staff.
For me, it's all about patient care, putting the patient at the front of it. But also looking after our staff and trying to create a happy working environment. I'm trying to follow the Trust's principles, but at the same time, trying to bring in some of the learning from my time as an academic in terms of innovation, and quality to try and keep moving forward.
What are some of the projects you have been working on?
I've been coordinating the recovery plan to try and get post COVID clinical care back up to normal, and then there's managing the backlog. These are two different things, and we're moving in the right direction.
Working closely with the University I'm helping to identify the musculoskeletal components for the next round of funding from the Biomedical Research Council.
I'm also trying to support digital transformation in the Trust in terms of working with EPR (the electronic patient record) for data collection which will help facilitate research. I'd also like to see an increased use of digital technology in theatre.
We are committed to the Trust and University's principles of improving diversity and equality in opportunities and access, so a part of my role is in supporting inclusivity.
Are you still doing research?
I continue to have academic time at the Botnar and am still heavily involved in research. I've recently secured a grant for a placebo trial to study a novel treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.
How does your role support the strategy at the Botnar Institute?
I am working closely with Johnny Rees, Director of the Botnar in terms of trying to strengthen the link between the university and the hospital and integrate research from the Botnar into the clinical departments. One of our aims is to be able to recruit our patient population to studies to take the science forward, and then also to take the science and translate it into real care.