My current role
I am a Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist who was appointed to Addenbrooke's Hospital in June 2015 to develop the paediatric rheumatology specialist service within the East of England region. Over subsequent years, the team has expanded to provide a fully comprehensive service to the children and young people in Cambridge, Norwich and the wider region. I am clinical lead for the CHEERS network (Child and adolescent East of England Rheumatology Service) in partnership with patients, parents, clinicians and allied health professionals across the region. Together we aim to deliver expert, specialist care for those under 16 years of age suffering from any inflammatory rheumatological or musculoskeletal disorder (bone, muscle and joint problems). We typically look after children with arthritis, and many other associated conditions, including those suffering from poor bone health and chronic pain.
The team currently delivers specialist clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynne, Basildon, Colchester, Ipswich and Harlow. There are plans for additional outreach clinics in Luton and Bedford with the expansion of the clinical team.
Previous history
I trained at Nottingham medical school, graduating in 1989, and undertook general paediatric speciality training mainly in the Trent region with additional training in South Africa (Johannesburg) and Norwich. I obtained a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine degree from Nottingham University in 2001 for research into acute general paediatrics, determining the common presenting problems to the emergency department, and developing evidence based and Delphi Consensus ratified guidelines. After taking up a general paediatric consultant post at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2003, I consolidated my specialist training in paediatric rheumatology gained in Nottingham, at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital working collaboratively for many years and developing the service in Norfolk.
I took up a specialist paediatric rheumatology consultant post in 2015, based in Cambridge, in order to develop the provision of a comprehensive, networked service, to the children and young people of the East of England, delivering expert care throughout the region.
Research
Throughout my career I have been engaged in research to improve the lives of children suffering from rheumatic diseases. My current research grants and collaborations both national and international, are focused on inflammatory bone conditions (Chronic Non-bacterial Osteomyelitis / Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis) and uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIAU), as well as contributing to national research in JIA, juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).
Membership/accreditations
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, British Society for Rheumatology (Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology section), British Medical Association, Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation, Paediatric Rheumatology European Society, Paediatric Visiting Club.