(Image: Supplied)
A North East doctor whose work is helping tackle inequalities in end-of-life care has been recognised with a prestigious health research award.
Dr Donna Wakefield, a palliative medicine consultant at University Hospitals Tees, received the NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders prize from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The award, part of the NIHR’s 20th anniversary celebrations, recognises her work to improve care for people with advanced illness and involve disadvantaged communities in research.
Dr Wakefield said: "I am honoured to have been recognised by the NIHR as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to benefit from the support, guidance and encouragement of my supervisors, mentors, collaborators and fellow research professionals and I am incredibly grateful for the role they have played within my journey.
Across the country, some people still find it harder to get the support they need at the end of their lives, especially if they live in poorer areas."
Dr Wakefield was one of only five doctoral-level researchers nationwide to receive the award. She was praised for making research more inclusive and relevant to patients and communities.
Her work aims to reduce inequalities in palliative care and ensure people with advanced lung disease receive high-quality support, whatever their circumstances.
She works with universities and healthcare organisations across the UK to improve care for life-limiting conditions and bring research into hospices.
Dr Wakefield also helps healthcare colleagues develop their research skills.
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She said: "The next part of my research involves talking to patients with advanced lung disease – lung cancer, mesothelioma, COPD, ILD – their carers and healthcare professionals to learn how we can improve end-of-life support for them.
I would love to hear from people who can share their experiences and ideas so we can make care fairer for everyone."
Anyone interested in taking part in Dr Wakefield’s research can contact her at donna.wakefield1@nhs.net.