Plymouth consultant takes key NHS research role across South West region
A Plymouth doctor with more than 26 years of healthcare experience has taken on a new regional NHS research role, with ambitions to increase opportunities for patients across Devon's urban and rural communities
A Plymouth-based intensive care consultant has been appointed to a senior regional role supporting health and care research across the South West Peninsula.
Dr Jessie Welbourne, who has worked at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust for 13 years, has been named joint Health and Care Medical Director for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) South West Peninsula Regional Research Delivery Network.
The network supports the delivery of health and care research across the region and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Dr Welbourne said she was looking forward to helping improve access to research opportunities for patients across the South West.
“It is exciting to be joining the network who have a clear objective at improving the delivery of research to patients in the region,” she said.
Dr Welbourne has more than 26 years of experience in healthcare and said the South West faces challenges that differ from many other parts of the country.
“The barriers in the south west are clear,” she said.
“We have a tricky geography, with a population based in cities but also in remote rural locations. We have real contrasts in affluence and deprivation too.
“This makes our local population's needs very different from other locations in the UK, which is why I am passionate about increasing the amount of research that is delivered in the south west.”
She said research played an important role in improving healthcare services and giving local people the opportunity to help shape future treatments.
“When we give local patients the opportunity to be part of research we give them a voice, because they shape the data that comes out of the research,” she said.
“My aim is to bring more research opportunities to the south west so our local population has the opportunity to shape the treatments of the future.”
Michael Visick, Research and Development Clinical Director at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said the role would involve supporting research delivery and collaboration across the region.
“The RRDN plays a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality research across the region, enabling patients to access innovative treatments and ensuring clinical research is embedded within routine care,” he said.
He added that Dr Welbourne's appointment would help strengthen partnerships across the South West and support greater access to research studies for local patients.