I am a consultant neurosurgeon and associate professor working in neurosurgery. My clinical role as a neurosurgeon at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust includes a special interest in brain tumours, awake surgery, traumatic brain injuries and general neurosurgery including spine surgery. My academic time at the University of Plymouth is focused on research in neurosurgical patients including brain tumours, designing and delivering clinical trials, and research focused on outcomes in older people and traumatic injuries, including the use of AI.

 

My clinical trials experience includes leading on the national Dex-CSDH trial in Chronic Subdural Haematoma, the DENS trial for older people with neck fractures, co-leading the national RESTART-tICH trial (randomising timing of recommencement of blood thinners after a traumatic intracranial haemorrhage) and as the national neurosurgery lead for the ROSSINI-Platform trial (assessing interventions for surgical site infection after craniotomy).

 

I also have a passion for brain tumour research, working closely with local oncologists, neurologists and psychologists on optimising care in the patient pathway and am working towards future studies and trials in this field, including glioma tissue banking and pre-clinical research.

 

My work in head injury includes using AI to help predict outcomes after a head injury, developed closely with patient and public involvement and as part of the SUSTAIN south west collaborative. I continue to conduct research in the field of Chronic Subdural Haematoma including development of a core outcome set, qualitative research on patient pathways and recovery and am part of a national working group developing guidelines in this area (ICENI).