NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS South Tyneside CCG are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Yitka Graham as Honorary Strategic Research Lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs).
Working closely with two Executive Directors of Nursing, Quality and Safety, Ann Fox and Jeanette Scott, Yitka will lead on the development of research capacity and capability across the NMAHP workforce in line with the National Institute for Health Research’s strategy to increase research activity in these professions.
Dr Graham is the Chief Investigator on the PROACT study, which aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of pressure ulcers in health and social care settings. Currently running across Sunderland over 300 people have already taken part, PROACT will extend into South Tyneside in 2019.
Ann Fox, at Sunderland CCG, said: “Dr Graham is an inspirational leader with exemplary research skills. She has a unique ability to support, encourage and build confidence in Nurses, Midwives and AHP’s resulting in more involvement in and understanding of research and the process.
“The success of the PROACT study is evidence of that and I am looking forward to working with Dr Graham on this very exciting agenda which will improve care to patients and further our understanding and evidence base.
“Working with the CCG’s complements the NMAHP role that Dr Graham has at the South Tyneside and Sunderland Healthcare group to raise awareness of the importance of NMAHP research activity across our whole health and social care system.”
Jeanette Scott, at South Tyneside CCG, said: “Dr Graham’s enthusiasm is infectious and we are excited to be rolling out PROACT in South Tyneside in the coming weeks and months.
“By utilising her research and engagement skills she is raising the profile of research and demonstrating how research can be used to improve patient care and outcomes across South Tyneside.”
Sue Brent, Head of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said: “My congratulations to Yitka on this appointment which is a testament to her strong relationships with our strategic NHS partners.
“Yitka is committed to building research capacity and capability for NMAHPs in both academic and clinical settings. Our students, as future NHS employees, will benefit from learning about how research can contribute to better outcomes for patients and improve health services in hospital, community and social care settings.”
Dr Yitka Graham, said: “I am looking forward to working with Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals across the two CCGs, linking in with Trusts and social care partners to increase research activity and putting the findings into practice to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Sunderland and South Tyneside.”
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