Professor Joanne Patterson, Professor of Speech and Language Therapy and Vice Dean for Research at the School of Allied Healthcare Professionals and Nursing, University of Liverpool (UoL) and Honorary Professor at UHLG, is one of 39 clinicians to be appointed as a Senior Investigator by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
NIHR Senior Investigators are among the most distinguished researchers in the UK, supported by the NIHR and celebrated for their exceptional leadership in patient-centred research. Investigators are given £20,000 per year, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), to support new and ongoing research.
Prof Joanne Patterson said: “I’m thrilled to have received this award, and to be representing both my profession and Liverpool in this ambassadorial role for the NIHR.”
Professor Patterson, who leads the 'Improving Patient Outcomes' theme at the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, is dedicated to enhancing functional outcomes and improving the quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer. Her research focuses on vital areas such as prehabilitation, recovery, psychosocial support, and swallowing interventions.
Over the next four years, the goal of the NIHR award is to drive impactful research, such as Prof Patterson’s research, to enhance the nation’s health.
Prof Patterson continued: “We’ve made substantial progress over the last 5 years, attracting funding to support our research projects, firmly embedding research into clinical practice and unlocking the research skills of clinical staff.”
In addition to her clinical research, Prof Patterson is passionate about advancing the role of Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Healthcare Professionals (NMAHPs) in clinical research.
Her ongoing work is expected to inspire future advancements in both patient care and academic leadership across the healthcare sector.