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Yitka Graham

Professor Yitka Graham

Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, Professor of Health Services Research

Email:

yitka.graham@sunderland.ac.uk

Pronouns:

she/her

About Professor Yitka Graham

I'm Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute (HMNCRI) , where I lead the development of applied health research, knowledge exchange, and building innovation capacity and capability in the University, working closely with partners across health and social care settings. This work focuses on addressing health inequalities across the life course, aiming to understand the 'causes of the causes' of poor health and how we can work together across organisations to reduce disparities. I also focus on workforce issues affecting the health and care professionals in and out of the NHS.

As Professor of Health Services Research, my research focuses on the organisation and delivery of services in health and care settings across the NHS, local authority, social care, and the voluntary sector.

I have a specialist interest in developing Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) research and leadership, both in the UK and internationally.

The Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute has four strategic programmes of:

  1. Health Inequalities
  2. Health Services Research
  3. Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions
  4. Health and Care Workforce Interdisciplinary Research Network.

These programmes underpin six workstreams of:

  1. Social Prescribing
  2. Equitable Health Technology
  3. Obesity and Bariatric Surgical Care
  4. Military and Veteran Health and Wellbeing
  5. Women's Health
  6. Out of Hospital Care.

I'm the Convenor of the University of Sunderland Health and Care Workforce Interdisciplinary Research Network (HCWIRN), developing collaborative arts and wellbeing projects with colleagues in the Arts and Creative Industries, and exploring how social prescribing can be reconceptualised in a creative space to address health inequalities, many of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The HCWIRN also works closely with Technology to improve digital poverty, reduce health inequalities, and explore the role of robotics to support the health and care workforce and to empower patients and populations to take control of their health and wellbeing through technology.

Since 2015, I've been the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Specialty Group Lead for Health Services Research for the North East and North Cumbria Clinical Research Network, building research in this clinical discipline in the NHS and wider health and care settings, and supporting the delivery of Health Services Research studies. I also hold a Strategic Research Lead for the Integrated Care Board (Central) to concurrently build Health Services Research in community and health and social care settings.

Externally, I'm the Honorary Specialty Lead for Health Services Research at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. I've held an embedded research post in the Bariatric Surgical Unit in the Directorate of General Surgery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust for the last 12 years, where I carry out research into patient experience, sexual and reproductive health, workforce issues and roles of healthcare professionals within multi-disciplinary teams, and the mental wellbeing of surgical teams. I support the development of NMAHP research and Health Services Research activity across the Trust. I'm also the Research and Innovation Honorary Lead for the Sunderland GP Alliance, supporting our community NHS workforce.

Internationally, I'm a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Anahuac in Mexico and an honorary lifetime member of the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases.

I'm a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at Austral University, Argentina, and a full member of the Argentine Society for Surgery of Obesity (SACO), working collaboratively with my Argentine colleagues on research projects focusing on innovative ways to improve the care of people living with bariatric surgery, supporting the development of integrated health professional research, and challenging the stigma of obesity through a multicultural approach.

I'm the Chair of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) Integrated Health Professional Guidelines Committee and a member of the Scientific Committee.

I'm a member of the Cultural Spring Steering Group, supporting local engagement with cultural activity to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation

I work collaboratively to ensure that the knowledge gained from the research and knowledge exchange informs practice and decision-making to create meaningful impact.