Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria appoints new Chief Executive Lead Nurse for Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria has appointed a new Chief Executive Lead Nurse for Research to provide professional leadership across the region.

Embedding research into the day-to-day work of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (AHPs) has long since been a priority for the NIHR. The new Chief Executive Lead Nurse for Research will provide leadership, advice and support to contribute to the professional and strategic growth of the workforce with regard to research. The postholder will also be a vital link between national and regional senior nurse and AHP leaders; this includes the national NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Office, chief nurses across the regional Integrated Care System, and senior nurse leaders across NHS England and Health Education England (HEE).

Another area of focus will be to work with partners across the region to develop a local nursing and AHP strategy, which is aligned to the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s strategic plan for research, the HEE AHP strategy and the current NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Plan.

The new role will be filled by Dr Hilary Lloyd, who is also Chief Nurse at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: “I am delighted to be appointed to this key nursing and AHP leadership role for clinical research in our region. The role of clinical research within nursing, midwifery and allied health professions is fundamental to continually improving patient care and outcomes.

“I am looking forward to supporting the fantastic work that is already taking place in the North East and North Cumbria, and ensuring that clinical research is at the centre of how nursing, midwifery and allied health professions develop across our region for the benefit of our patients and service users.”

Professor Caroline Wroe, Clinical Director for the NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria, said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Hilary in her new role. I don’t doubt that this post will strengthen the relationship between key regional and national partners in the fields of nursing, midwifery and allied health professions. We hope that Hilary will become a key voice for this workforce and champion the part that nurses, midwives and allied health professionals play in research.”