RCS welcomes Professor Peter Hutchinson as Director of Clinical Research

Professor Peter Hutchinson, has been appointed as the Director of Clinical Research at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He took over this post from Professor Dion Morton in June 2019.

Peter Hutchinson is the head of the division of academic neurosurgery at the University of Cambridge. He undertook neurosurgical training in 2003, becoming a National Institute for Health Research Professor and the Professor of neurosurgery in Cambridge in 2013. His main clinical interest is the management of neuro-trauma, specifically head and traumatic brain injury.

As Director of Clinical Research, Professor Hutchinson will lead one of the largest surgical clinical research networks in the world and have direct impact on growing the quantity and quality of surgical trials across the UK. Therefore changing practice and improving the care future surgical patients will receive.

Responding to his new appointment Professor Hutchinson said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as the new Director of Clinical Research during this very exciting time for research in surgery. I have led the UK Neurosurgical Research initiative for the past five years and now relish the opportunity to build with colleagues on the tremendous work previously carried out.

“There are several opportunities for us to increase the number of trials delivered and provide more evidence to assist in decision making; which in turn will improve treatment and outcome for patients.

“In the future, we plan to continue to work on new developments in international research; design and implement novel technologies, including devices and robotics; and build academic careers for young surgeons.”

Commenting on Professor Hutchinson’s appointment, Professor Derek Alderson, President of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), said:

“We welcome Professor Peter Hutchinson to his new role as Director of Clinical Research. He is joining at an exciting time for clinical research, particularly in regards to device development, as demonstrated by the Commission on the Future of Surgery.

“We look forward to working with Professor Hutchinson to deliver ground-breaking research that will ultimately benefit patients.

“The RCS would like to thank Professor Dion Morton for his time as Director of Clinical Research. Professor Morton was instrumental in establishing the Surgical Trails Initiative, which has transformed how the evidence base for surgical technique and technologies is built.”

The RCS Surgical Trials Initiative supported by partners, including the National Institute of Health Research, Cancer Research UK and the Rosetrees Trust, enables surgeons to deliver clinical studies to assess new surgical techniques; and develop breakthroughs in treatment to deliver improved care to thousands of patients.

So far the Surgical Trials Initiative has had a huge impact on the number of trials delivered, and has subsequently supported the evidence-based approach when deciding patient treatment options. Since 2011, the number of trials run by the Surgical Trials Centres has risen from 11 to 66, with over 50,000 patients recruited.

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

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