Appointment Dr David Wingfield to lead on integrating research further into primary care
GP Dr David Wingfield has been appointed as the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Imperial Biomedical Research Centre’s (BRC) Primary Care Lead. This pivotal role will help grow and develop research in primary care, as well as enhance research opportunities to improve patient and community outcomes in north west London.
Dr Wingfield will be responsible for overseeing a number of partnerships with GP surgeries across north west London, where research activities will be supported by NIHR Imperial BRC infrastructure and funding.
These networks of GP partnerships will be led by host GP surgeries and support early-stage experimental medicine and public health research. Through partnerships with acute NHS trusts, academia and industry, they will provide the infrastructure needed for bringing opportunities to participate in research, as well as the impact from its findings, to patients in the community. These networks will also provide support to NHS staff in primary care to get more involved in research and better understand the opportunities available for patients.
Three sites have already commenced, hosted by GP practices in Hammersmith and Fulham (Hammersmith and Fulham Partnership), Hounslow (Hounslow Medical Centre) and Westminster (Healthcare Central London) with plans to expand to two additional sites over the next year.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Wingfield said: “For many people, their family GP is the main route by which they have contact with the NHS. By bringing research into the GP surgery, we can work with our communities to ensure research studies answer the most pressing questions and lead to evidence that has the potential to really improve health and wellbeing. I look forward to working more with our partners across north west London and significantly widening access to research for both patients and staff.”
In his new role, Dr Wingfield will work closely with key research and clinical partners, including Imperial College London, NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) and the Health Innovation Network (HIN), as well as GP practices across north west London. He will also represent primary care research in north west London nationally and regionally to ensure their activities align with broader national research priorities.
Commenting on Dr Wingfield’s appointment, Professor Mark Thursz, director of the NIHR Imperial BRC said: “David’s leadership will be instrumental in identifying new research opportunities in primary care that link to our BRC research themes and marks a significant step forward in the Trust’s efforts to deliver impactful health innovations to the communities it serves.”
