Manchester BRC researcher appointed Specialty Lead within new NIHR Research Delivery Network
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) have recently appointed Dr James Bluett, Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases Co-Theme Lead at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, as the National Specialty Lead for Musculoskeletal and Orthopaedics within their new Research Delivery Network (RDN).
Dr Bluett, a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant at The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), is one of 26 Speciality Leads appointed who, as senior leaders, will provide strategic direction relating to research delivery within their specialism and act as ambassadors for the RDN.
Dr Bluett said: “I am excited to be embarking on this national role and look forward to proactively working with patients, healthcare professionals, academics and life sciences partners to continue to drive forward the delivery of high-quality health and care research.”
Comprising of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks, coordinated by the University of Leeds, the new NIHR Research Delivery Network will operate as one unified organisation across England, balancing regional context, expertise and leadership with national coordination and strategy involving government policymakers. MFT will host the North West Regional RDN.
As Speciality Lead for Musculoskeletal and Orthopaedics, Dr Bluett’s role will focus on developing the capacity and capability for research delivery in the health and care environment, leading, supporting and influencing change in line with the NIHR RDN’s remit on a national scale (within England).
Contracts for the Regional RDNs commence in October 2024.
For more information, please read this NIHR press release.