Research Champions

At Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust we have three appointed Research Champions. Consultants Mr Phil Harris, Professor Adam Watts and Dr Vellore Karthikeyan were the first clinicians to fulfil the brand new, two-year posts aimed at developing the high-quality clinical research taking place at WWL.

Research activity at WWL has increased rapidly over the past five years, with the Trust recruiting more than 1,200 participants across 70 studies in 2016/17.

The Research Champions have been tasked with cultivating the WWL’s research performance. As well as recruiting to studies run by other institutions, they will develop their own research at WWL and submit the studies for funding, with a view to them being adopted by the National Institute of Health Research Clinical Research Network.

The role will also involve engaging with and supporting the NIHR CRN’s portfolio of registered studies and commercial trials, while promoting research among junior colleagues and championing WWL as a research-active Trust – making it even more attractive to high-calibre applicants.

Research Champion responsibilities:

Champion for Specialist Services – Professor Adam Watts, Consultant Hand and Upper Limb Surgeon

Champion for Medicine –
Dr Vellore J Karthikeyan, Consultant Cardiologist

Champion for Surgery –
Mr Phil Harris, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist