Consultants appointed to lead health innovation
Two hospital consultants have been appointed to lead South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s research and innovation.
Mrs Deepali Varma, consultant ophthalmologist and retinal specialist at Sunderland Eye Infirmary, will be the new director of research, and neonatal consultant Dr Imran Ahmed has been named as director of innovation.
Both have vast experience which has contributed to the trust’s reputation as a world leader in many fields.
In recent months, the Trust has enrolled patients in several COVID-19 studies to identify treatments and assess outcomes.
Mrs Varma has worked at Sunderland Eye Infirmary for 12 years.
One of her priorities in her new role will be to work with the Trust’s patient research ambassadors – local people who volunteer their opinions and ideas.
Dr Ahmed joined the Trust in 2014 and works with a team of paediatricians and neonatologists in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – looking after pre-term and sick babies from Sunderland and South Tyneside.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Medical Director Dr Shaz Wahid said: “I’d like to warmly congratulate Deepali and Imran on their new appointments. Research and innovation are extremely important in terms of prevention, earlier diagnosis and providing more effective treatments, all of which lead to better outcomes and faster recovery.
"With their combined knowledge and experience, Deepali and Imran will play a crucial part in ensuring our Trust is at the cutting edge so we can give our patients the very best care and treatment.”