I have been involved from its inception in 2003 in the development of a “new” medical school (Hull York Medical School) with a novel teaching style. I have also been actively involved in training clinical tutors required to teach for Hull York Medical School as Director of the school's clinical Studies for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 2003-2014. Currently I do collaborative research with Hull York Medical School colleagues and teach Medical Students in years 3 and 5. Participate in the undergraduate exams.
A local ambassador contributing to Pathways to Medicine and “Inspiring the Future Programme” engaging local kids towards a career in healthcare.
I completed my clinical training in Edinburgh, Yorkshire and Sydney, Australia, and was awarded a PhD in characterising potassium channels in the distal nephron. Currently I have been a consultant for more than 21 years and professor for more than 10 years.
Summary of Research:
I am an international expert on anaemia and using our New England Journal Landmark Paper in 2019 leading to 15% less deaths & heart attacks & 20% saving in use of erythropoietin and blood transfusions. Less than 5% of our patients have haemoglobin concentration below target range based on the 23rd Renal registry report.
My research has focused on 5 areas of Patient Impact:
Patient survival - studies on effects of the kidney on the heart - over 40% of patients die from cardiovascular disease. PIVOTAL, our largest UK dialysis study led by Prof MacDougall has shown a 15% reduction in mortality and cost savings but optimising intravenous iron, published in NEJM 2019.
Quality of life – optimal, safe management of renal anaemia. Improving functional capacity, patient related outcomes and introduction of better & safe care pathways for therapy which have impacted guidelines (I have co-authored UK guidelines). My Kidney Research UK Funded Multicentre Trial has shown a trend to improved quality of life and cardiac function in patients with chronic kidney disease and iron deficiency.
Delaying Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) progression and need for dialysis. NIHR STOP-ACEi Trial anticipated to have a major impact on NICE CKD/CVD/HF and DM Guidelines and GIRFT program for clinical practice - quoted in the recent KDIGO controversies paper (KI 2018) “is an important question for the world of nephrology” I am Chief Investigator of this £1.6 million 37 centre UK study which will report tis year after full recruitment to target.
Innovation in Healthcare Digital Technology: This is a core component of Long-Term Plan. We have been evaluating a point of care device for remote anaemia care via an Innovation UK Digital Health and Technology Grant. In line with NHS digital transformation plan.
Reducing Dialysis Mortality Reducing Dialysis Mortality: This is high in first 3 months of standard dialysis. Our ENDURE Trial has examined incremental regimes to improve outcomes.
I maintain a sustained research portfolio currently managing research staff. My H Index 43; I-index 112; >6090 citations.
Consultant Nephrologist / Physician at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and part of the Academic Renal Research Team.
• Vice President Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE)
• Deputy Head of School of Medicine Health Education England Yorkshire and Humber
• Deputy Specialty Lead for Clinical Research Network Yorkshire and Humber North Lincolnshire
• Trustee for Kidney Research UK
• Co-Chair UK Kidney Research Consortium
• Co-director of UK Advanced Nephrology Course
• Chair of International Committee for UK Kidney Association
• National Clinical Impact Awards Regional Committee Member- formally ACCEA
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Exert Advisor
• National Institute Health Research (NIHR) Chair/Member 6 Trial Steering/Data monitoring Committees