David Hamilton joins the North East and North Cumbria Regional Research Delivery Network executive team
David Hamilton has joined the North East and North Cumbria Regional Research Delivery Network executive team as the Medical Health and Care Systems Director.
David (known as “Winnie”) is a consultant ear, nose and throat (ENT), head, neck and thyroid surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, with a specialist interest in the management of throat and thyroid cancer. His research focuses on optimising patient centred outcomes in head and neck cancer and developing safe processes of care, with a particular focus on shared decision making and informed consent.
He joins a team consisting of Sharon Dorgan (Health and Care Systems Director for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals), Chris Speed (Operations Director), Lauren Tough (Strategic Development Director), and Morag Burton as Network Director.
The NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) was established in April 2024 to build on the success of the current Clinical Research Network. The NIHR RDN will operate as one organisation across England, through a network of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks, including the North East and North Cumbria (NENC RRDN). The RRDNs will launch on 1 October 2024.
Winnie said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the RRDN Medical Health and Care Director for the North East and North Cumbria. It is a privilege to join such a committed and capable group of people and build on the fantastic work of all our regional health and care research partners. I am eager to help deliver the patient-centred priorities which we share; widening research participation and developing our capacity and capability to reach all of the patient populations that we serve.”
Morag Burton, Director of the NENC RRDN, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with Winnie in his new role. He is a welcome addition to the team - giving us a greater breadth of experience, knowledge and relationships to allow us to add even more value to the health and care system as part of the new network.”
