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New Strategic Clinical Lead Cluster 1 appointed

Dr Mohini Varughese

Why did you apply for the position of Strategic Clinical Lead Cluster 1?

This was a natural progression for me, building on my experience as Trust Cancer Research Lead, Urological Oncology Subspecialty Lead (appointed in 2015) and then as Cancer Specialty Research Lead in 2019. Following on from this, in 2020 I was appointed as national Urological Oncology Champion. In 2018 I was given a joint NIHR and Royal College of Physician’s award for research leadership within the NHS. My aim is to use the experience I have gained to continue to enhance access for clinical trials activity and access for all patients across our research network, so that benefits of trial participation are available as widely as possible.

 

Why is research in in this cluster so important?

I lead cancer, genetics and non-malignant haematology research within Cluster 1. Cancer is a rapidly evolving specialty with recommendations for treatments becoming much more refined and guided through molecular markers, ultimately aiming for personalised medicine for each patient. Systemic therapy is much more targeted, with newer treatments being developed rapidly. Radiotherapy techniques are also progressing quickly with the aim of improving dose to target while minimising side effects from treatment. Genetics and non-malignant haematology specialty research tends to encompass less common diseases, where it is critical to enhance our understanding of these disease processes, and collaborative working across networks and nationally is fundamental to success in these areas.

There is a huge body of evidence that highlights the benefits of clinical trial participation, for the patient, treating teams and institutions, that lead to superior outcomes. In rapidly changing fields of cancer and also in rare genetic disorders and non-malignant haematology, it is important to encourage research to ensure that we can make the best treatment recommendations possible, which not only include giving treatment, but also understanding if an intervention is necessary and what impacts this all has for patients in terms of quality of life.

 

What are your hopes for research within these areas?

My aim would be for all of our patients to have access to clinical trials, be it locally, within the network or nationally. We have dedicated research teams across our network, and having clinical trials embedded within day to day routine practice would be my ultimate aim. I hope to continue to break down barriers to clinical trial activity and encourage all members of treating teams to be trials active, including juniors and allied health professionals.

 

Anything else you would like to add?

Although clinical trials can be hard work, I have always found the benefits to far outweigh this. The additional layer of clinical trials governance ensures that treating teams are working to nationally accepted protocols, which is important and necessary when treating teams are learning about new drug or radiotherapy treatments. Working in clinical trials is extremely rewarding; enhancing team work, streamlining pathways, and offering reputational benefit, while understanding that the evidence suggests outcomes are better when patients participate in clinical trials.