The Steering Group and partners

Ulrike Hammerbeck

I’m an academic physiotherapist at the University of Manchester and a representative for the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology. I’m involved in research that aims to improve the recovery of arm movement after stroke.

Sally Davenport

I’m a Senior Teaching Fellow within the physiotherapy group at University College London, and one of the representatives for the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology. My particular interest is to understand more about the experience and perceptions of stroke survivors and their family/carers of stroke recovery and rehabilitation.

Rustam Al-Shahi Salman

I’m a professor of clinical neurology (University of Edinburgh) and honorary consultant neurologist (NHS Lothian). I lead the Research to Understand Stroke due to Haemorrhage (RUSH) programme, dedicated to improving the outcome for adults who have diseases that may cause, or have caused, bleeding in the brain (intracranial haemorrhage). I also care for people with these conditions, and help undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop and answer research questions within the RUSH programme. I was a member of the JLA PSP Steering Group for Cavernoma.

Nicholas Evans

I’m a Clinical Lecturer in Stroke Medicine at the University of Cambridge, and Honorary Specialist Registrar at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. I have research interests in the hardening and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) and imaging of the brain and its blood vessels (cerebrovascular imaging). I also have a quality improvement interest in the delivery of care within the first 6 hours of stroke (hyperacute stroke care). I’m Chair of the British Association of Stroke Physicians Trainee Committee.

Diederik Bulters

I am a consultant neurosurgeon and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Wessex Neurological Centre at University Hospital Southampton. I specialise in the surgical treatment of Stroke. I am president of the British Neurovascular Group and a member of the academic committee of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and my research is in intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage – two types of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain.

Eirini Kontou

I’m a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham and a Clinical Psychologist working in a stroke rehabilitation setting. My research has focused on stroke rehabilitation and especially on the psychological effects of stroke. I’m currently leading a study on psychoeducation and support after transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke.

Shirley Thomas

I’m a Health Psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. Much of my research has focused on the psychological effects of stroke. I’ve recently completed studies on a treatment for depression following stroke (called behavioural activation), including for people with language and communication difficulties (aphasia). I work with colleagues on a range of studies in stroke rehabilitation.

Dianne Haley

I’m Director of Operations and Innovation for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, responsible for the charity’s research programme, business development and organisational strategy and planning. My background is in executive line management and business change across the public and private sectors, including in the NHS and Integrated Joint Boards, charities and the life insurance industry.

Gillian Mead

I’m a stroke physician and Professor of Stroke and Elderly Care Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. I’ve previously worked in Manchester as a stroke research fellow until 1996, when I moved to Edinburgh. I look after stroke survivors in my clinical practice, and my research interests are guided by the needs of stroke survivors and their families.

Brinton Helliwell

I spent 25 years as a teacher and senior manager in post-16 education before a traffic accident, which caused a large ischaemic stroke, forced my early retirement aged 48 in 2008. I got involved in stroke research as a participant in 2006 and have since become an advisor and co-applicant for trials all over the UK. I review proposals for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) committees that consider whether to fund clinical trials. I’m also a public member of the NIHR Acute Stroke Research Group.

Christine Roffe

I’m a stroke physician at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and Professor of Stroke Medicine at Keele University. I lead the National Institute for Health Research Hyperacute Stroke Research Centre Oversight Group, and I am a member of the UK Stroke Forum Steering Group.

Clare Gordon

I’m a Consultant Nurse in Stroke Care, involved in the inpatient care and rehabilitation of people affected by stroke since 2004. I’m completing my doctoral study - as part of a National Institute for Health Research Fellowship - into supporting approaches that focus on the quality of relationships and human connections between patients, relatives and staff on stroke units. I’m President of the National Stroke Nursing Forum (NSNF), having been Chair from 2011-2016, and have contributed towards promoting and developing the contribution of stroke nursing in the UK.

Liz Lightbody

I’m a Reader in Health Services Research in the School of Nursing at the University of Central Lancashire, and Chair of the National Stroke Nursing Forum (NSNF). I’m a nurse by professional background and have been an active researcher for over 20 years. My research expertise is in applied health research, service improvement and implementation.

Niamh Kennedy

I’m a Lecturer in the School of Psychology at Ulster University. My research area is into recovery following stroke, including functional recovery, neuroplasticity and psychosocial effects. I use a variety of research methodologies including experimental neuroscience and mixed methods. I work collaboratively with Allied Health Professionals, Neuroscientists, Psychologists and charities.

I’m representing the Northern Ireland Multidisciplinary Association of Stroke Teams (NIMAST), a charity committed to improving care, education, research and clinical practice for stroke survivors in Northern Ireland.

Jenny Lund

I’m a representative of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGPs), a GP in rural Cambridgeshire, and a Wellcome Trust PhD fellow at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge. My current research investigates the role of screening for atrial fibrillation – a form of irregular heartbeat - as a method of preventing stroke.

Jennifer Crow

I’m a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist working on the Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Units at Charing Cross Hospital. I’m an experienced clinician, with over 15 years experience of working with stroke survivors and their families in the acute setting. I’m also the Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Neurological Practice Stroke Forum. I received a National Institute for Health Research pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award which I’ll commence in February 2020.

Thompson Robinson

I’m Deputy Head of the College of Life Sciences and Professor of Stroke Medicine at the University of Leicester, and an Honorary Consultant Physician in Stroke Medicine. I’m also Chair of the Membership Committee of the European Stroke Organisation, President of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, Specialty Lead for Stroke for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, and an NIHR Senior Investigator. My research interests include clinical trials in acute stroke, particularly management of blood pressure and the breakdown of blood clots formed in blood vessels, using medication (thrombolysis).

Marian Brady

I’m Professor of Stroke Care and Rehabilitation at Glasgow Caledonian University and a Fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy. As an experienced therapist, I have worked in community and hospital settings in Ireland and Scotland. Leading a dynamic multidisciplinary research team, I aim to deliver high-quality evidence which improves the lives of stroke survivors.

Katie Chadd

I’m the Research Officer at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). I’m a qualified speech and language therapist, with an interest in evidence-based aphasia rehabilitation. At the RCSLT, I’ve been involved in research priority setting in a number of clinical areas within the speech and language therapy profession.

Sarah Belson

I am the International Development Manager with the Stroke Association and World Stroke Organization and lead the programme to establish and strengthen patient stroke support organizations (SSOs) globally. I collaborate with a global SSO network and have experience of supporting institution, programme and advocacy capacity building by working in partnership with a range of stakeholders.

Jonathan Hewitt

I’m a Geriatrician and Stroke Physician based in Cardiff University. My research interests include Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Stroke and Frailty in Stroke. As well as adding my own personal expertise, I am representing the Stroke Improvement Group of the Welsh government, presenting a Welsh perspective to this PSP.

Marian Brady

I’m Professor of Stroke Care and Rehabilitation at Glasgow Caledonian University and a Fellow of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy. As an experienced therapist, I have worked in community and hospital settings in Ireland and Scotland. Leading a dynamic multidisciplinary research team, I aim to deliver high-quality evidence which improves the lives of stroke survivors.

Alex Pollock

I’m a Senior Research Fellow within the Scottish Government funded Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Profession (NMAHP) Research Unit. I have particular expertise relating to systematic reviews of complex interventions and I am an Associate Editor with Cochrane Stroke, and I am an author on several Cochrane systematic reviews. I have an active interest in public involvement in research, I have led and contributed to a number of research prioritisation projects, including two with the James Lind Alliance (JLA).

Phil White

I am Professor of Interventional and Diagnostic Neuroradiology at Newcastle University. I’m (Co-)Principal Investigator of multiple trials in stroke amongst a wide portfolio of clinical trial and [neuro]imaging research. I represent the Royal College of Radiologists on the Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party. I’m the Neuroradiology representative on NHS England Neurosciences Clinical Reference Group and Policy Working Group on Thrombectomy. I Chair the UK Neurointerventional Group and the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy Guidelines Committee.