Excellence in Research Award winners presented with titles

Our Research Team has recognised those who have played a part in helping the future of healthcare.

A celebration event was held in the Education Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Wednesday, July 4.

It follows the Excellence in Research Award presented at out Trust Staff Recognition Awards in April.

The winner of that award was the ICCU Research Team led by Dr Tony Rostron.

There is a strong culture of research embedded across the ICCU multi-disciplinary team’s clinical practice.

The team showed a commitment to research careers.

This was through the development and expansion of dedicated ICCU Research Nurses. They were also heavily involved in the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Associate PI Scheme.  

The team has won several awards. Its work has also been printed in high impact journals.

ICCU Research nurse Lindsey Woods with Head of Research Claire Livingstone and Director of Research Dr Deepali Varma with the team's Staff Recognition Award..

Five NMAHPs completed a six-month Research Internship.

They were presented certificates by our Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Melanie Johnson.

The Research Internship was launched to enable staff to have dedicated space and time to explore research alongside their clinical practice. 

The following awards were presented at this week’s event:

Early Career Researcher

This award recognises the achievements of an early career researcher. They have made a significant contribution to their team or speciality. 

Winner: Laura Jayne Watson - Clinical Lead, Speech and Language Therapy.

Research involved ways to improve patient care for head and neck cancer patients. Laura is on leave, but will be presented with her award when she returns.

Also nominated:

Lisa Irving

Dawn Lockey

Research Team of the Year

This award is for a team who has designed, delivered, or supported the delivery of research at STSFT. Their commitment and contribution to research has embraced the STSFT Strategic Objectives. They have also taken on board the aims of the Research Strategy

Winner: Trauma and Orthopaedics.

Members of the T&O team with their award, pictured with Head of Research Claire Livingstone and Director of Research Dr Deepali Varma.

The team, led by Dr Dan Dowen, has developed and expanded its research. This has been embedding it in its culture as standard clinical practice. It was the Top Recruiter for 2022-23 in the NIHR Musculoskeletal Trauma Trials Annual Conference.

Also nominated:

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dendron Research Team

Speech and Language Therapy Adult Team

Gastroenterology Research Delivery Team

Outstanding Achievement in Research

This award recognises a person who has designed, delivered, or supported research at STSFT. In doing so, they have championed a culture of research.

Winner: Mr Kim Hinshaw

Mr Kim Hinshaw with Head of Research Claire Livingstone, left, and Director of Research Dr Deepali Varma.

He has been instrumental to research right across the Trust. His leadership over more than 10 years began at Sunderland and then STSFT. He has been responsible for the development, growth and expansion of research across all specialities. As part of this, he has overseen the development of a team in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.