Dr Frazer Underwood appointed CRN South West Peninsula Senior NMAHP Lead for Research

The NIHR Clinical Research Network South West Peninsula (CRN SWP) is delighted to announce that Dr Frazer Underwood has been appointed as its first Senior NMAHP (Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions) Lead for Research.

Frazer will be taking up this new leadership role from April 2023, providing an important strategic focus on growing, developing and sustaining the local research workforce.

In the new role, Frazer will concentrate on: 

• Developing and supporting the NMAHP research workforce and embedding research in NMAHP practice 

• Facilitating new NMAHP workforce opportunities to improve research delivery service performance across the region 

• Strengthening strategic alliances with regional partners, and collaborating with them to deliver the NMAHP research strategies and grow research workforce networks and infrastructure 

• Working with the NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Office

Mike Visick, CRN SWP Chief Operating Officer said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Frazer to the senior leadership team in the CRN. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will provide strong leadership and vision to the team, as we navigate the implementation of the professional research strategies and grow further our local research delivery capacity.”

Frazer said: “I am over the moon to be appointed to this important strategic position at this crucial time, when the focus on NMAHP research engagement and activity is ever-present on the agendas of our senior professional leaders. I am looking forward to getting out and about to meet the region’s research delivery teams to listen and see the impact they are making for patients, as well as taking the opportunity to meet the region’s Chief Nursing Officers.”

Frazer is Associate Clinical Professor (Honorary)/Consultant Nurse and Associate Director of NMAHP Research at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

He is also Co-Director of the South West Clinical School in Cornwall, a collaboration between the University of Plymouth, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust that exists to grow and nurture clinical academic careers in practice.

Frazer will be taking on this new role part-time.