Health and Care Research Wales announces appointments of Wales Specialty Leads

Health and Care Research Wales has announced the new appointments of Wales Specialty Leads, to continue to champion and support research delivery, build networks of principal investigators within their specialty, and support the uptake of studies throughout Wales, as part of the Health and Care Research Wales Support and Delivery Service. Through this appointment process new Specialty Lead roles in imaging and palliative care have been created, in addition to appointments in established specialty areas.

Dr Nicola Williams, National Director of Support & Delivery at Health and Care Research Wales, said: “Our Specialty Leads play a vital role in our research across the full range of clinical portfolios strengthening our One Wales approach, as well as helping to increase our capacity to undertake commercial research supported by investment from the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) programme. They are also important in networking across the four nations at UK Specialty Lead meetings, which enables engagement across a wider network.”

Health and Care Research Wales Specialty Leads 2025-2028

Ageing – Dr Ben Jelley

Anaesthesia, Peri-operative Medicine and Pain Management – Dr Danielle Huckle

Cancer - Vacant (to follow) 

Cardiovascular - Vacant

Children and Young People – Dr Philip Connor

Critical Care - Jade Cole

Dementias and Neurodegeneration – Dr Chineze Ivenso

Dermatology - Professor John Ingram

Diabetes – Professor Steve Bain

Ear, Nose and Throat – Mr Ali Al-Hussaini

Gastroenterology – Dr Dharmaraj Durai

Genomics and Rare Diseases – Dr Francis Sansbury

Haematology – Professor Raza Alikhan

Hepatology - Vacant

Imaging – Dr Kieran Foley

Infection - Jonathan Underwood

Kidney and urinary tract disorders – Professor Sian Griffin

Mental Health – Dr Kimberley Kendall

Metabolic and Endocrine Disorder – Professor Aled Rees

Musculoskeletal Disorders – Professor Piers Page

Neurological Disorders – Dr Thomas Massey

Ophthalmology – Professor Marcela Votruba

Oral and dental health – Professor Nicola Innes

Palliative - Vacant

Primary Care – Professor Andrew Carson-Stevens

Public Health - Vacant

Reproductive Health and childbirth - Trudy Smith

Respiratory – Dr Jamie Duckers

Social Care / Residential Care - Lorna Stabler – 1 year

Stroke – Dr Manju Krishnan

Surgery - James Galea

Trauma and emergency care - Dr. Suresh Kumar Gopala Pillai