The MAHSC (Manchester Academic Health Science Centre) Inaugural Lecture Series celebrates the exceptional contributions of its honorary clinical chairs—individuals who blend research, education, and clinical excellence to transform healthcare.

The MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs are awarded on an annual basis by The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Promotions Committee. They are awarded to individuals from across Greater Manchester who have made a major contribution to their clinical specialty, including excellence in research and education. There are now 86 MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs.

In this session, we welcomed Professor Sophie Parker (Director of Youth Mental Health Research Unit and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS FT) and Professor Simon Carley (Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.) Sophie is an expert Clinical Psychologist whose pioneering work in adolescent mental health has reshaped national and international practices. Simon is a distinguished leader in Emergency Medicine, holding multiple prestigious roles whilst delivering critical care at the frontline of medical emergencies.

The first half of the lecture was delivered by Sophie. She was introduced by Professor Sandra Bucci as a transformative leader and compassionate mentor, Sophie’s contributions stand as a testament to how research and practice can work in harmony. From co-founding Europe’s first specialist psychological therapy service for young people, to her ongoing research as Director of the Youth Mental Health Research Unit, Sophie’s achievements have redefined early intervention and prevention in youth mental health care.

The Garden of Potential: A Personal Journey
Sophie’s lecture began with a heartfelt reflection on her roots. Inspired by her grandparents, who taught her the value of resilience, community, and nurturing growth, she likened her work to tending a garden. Just as plants flourish with care and patience, Sophie believes in cultivating the potential within every young person. This philosophy underpins her mission: to change lives through early intervention and prevention, targeting the critical developmental years of adolescence.

Pioneering Prevention: Transforming the Landscape
A major highlight of Sophie’s career has been her groundbreaking research into psychosis prevention. Her work demonstrated that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) could delay or even prevent psychosis in at-risk adolescents. This finding has informed NICE guidelines and has been adopted into the NHS long-term plan, ensuring young people receive timely care within two weeks of referral—a seismic shift from previous norms. Sophie’s team is now expanding this prevention-focused approach to bipolar disorder, using early intervention to identify and support at-risk individuals. This innovative program, funded by the NIHR and implemented across five NHS sites, aims to replicate the successes seen in psychosis prevention, offering hope for a new standard of care.

Youth Mental Health: The Challenge and Opportunity
Youth mental health is at a critical juncture. With mental illness peaking between childhood and early adulthood, and accounting for 45% of the global disease burden in individuals aged 10–24, the need for action is urgent. External pressures like climate change, social media, and economic insecurity compound this crisis. Yet, within this challenge lies the potential to build what Sophie calls “mental wealth”—the cognitive and emotional resources that shape our society’s future. Despite its significance, youth mental health research remains underfunded, receiving just £9 per patient compared to £228 for cancer research. By ensuring investment and applying lessons from other fields, Sophie envisions a future where transformative breakthroughs in youth mental health become the norm.

Innovations in Inclusive Practice
Sophie emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion in research. Many mental health studies fail to represent the UK’s ethnic minority populations, a gap her team is addressing through innovative methods. For example, her team developed an animation co-created with young people from ethnic minority groups to encourage participation in a BART (bipolar at risk trial). This initiative ensures that findings are more representative, fostering equitable access to effective care.

Building Capacity for the Future
The lecture also highlighted the importance of workforce development. Sophie’s Research Unit JUICE has grown significantly, mentoring early-career researchers and integrating service-user voices into the research process. Beyond academia, her team works with schools across Greater Manchester, nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals.

Sophie closed with an inspiring vision for the future—a world where early intervention in mental health is as routine as preventive care for physical illnesses. Achieving this goal requires collective action: researchers, policymakers, and communities must unite to prioritise youth mental health. With sustained investment and a commitment to innovation, teams can transform lives, strengthen societies, and realise the full potential of “mental wealth.”

Sophie eloquently expressed, “The seeds of change are in our hands. With care, collaboration, and commitment, we can nurture a future where every young person thrives.”
Sophie expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have shaped her career, including her family, colleagues, and individuals with lived experience. She acknowledged the invaluable lessons and support from many mentors and collaborators who have inspired her resilience and opened doors during challenging times.

A key message of her lecture was the transformative impact of collaboration in youth mental health. She emphasised the importance of cultivating the next generation of researchers and clinicians, encouraging everyone to consider their role in this movement—whether through research, advocacy, or direct intervention. She challenged the audience to recognise that even small actions can drive significant change.
The session concluded with collective admiration for Sophie’s inspiring journey and her unwavering commitment to advancing youth mental health care.

The second half of the lecture was delivered by Professor Simon Carley who was introduced by Professor Ellie Cartwright. Ellie highlighted the exceptional career of Simon, an internationally renowned emergency physician, recognised with the MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chair. This prestigious award reflects Simon’s outstanding contributions across clinical practice, research, and education.

As a frontline NHS consultant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in adult and paediatric emergency medicine, a major trauma consultant, and a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) consultant with the North West Ambulance Service, Simon’s clinical work is exemplary. Beyond this, his reputation as an educator and researcher is inspirational, with significant roles at the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Health Education England, and the General Medical Council, alongside his globally impactful initiatives like Best Bets and the St Emlyn’s evidence-based education platform.
Described by peers as “world-class”, Simon’s innovative, learner-centred approach embodies excellence in emergency medicine education. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to his profound influence on the field.

A Focus on Clinical Decision-Making
Simon began his lecture by delving into the clinical aspects of emergency medicine, a field where he has substantial experience. He acknowledged his diverse research background, which includes work on chest pain diagnostics, responses to major incidents such as the Manchester Arena attack, and decision-making in clinical contexts. He also reflected on his involvement in COVID-19 studies, particularly the groundbreaking RECOVERY trial, which significantly improved outcomes for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Beyond research, he highlighted his contributions to social media as a tool for learning, noting its potential alongside its challenges.

Simon’s lecture focused on decision-making in emergency medicine, a field everyone encounters at some point, whether as a patient or visitor. Using a case study of a critically injured pregnant woman, which presented an urgent dilemma: deliver the baby in the emergency department or prioritise stabilising the mother. Emergency doctors often face such high-stakes decisions with incomplete information. Simon detailed the team’s process, navigating uncertainties like whether to stabilise the patient, proceed to surgery, or opt for interventional radiology, highlighting the ambiguity and urgency inherent in these choices.

The Challenge of Translating Evidence into Practice
Simon emphasised the challenges of translating evidence-based medicine into practice. While clinical guidelines are valuable, the real-world application involves navigating human factors like resistance to change or personal biases. He presented a classic diagram illustrating the gap between research and bedside implementation, underscoring the importance of addressing systemic and behavioural inertia to improve patient outcomes.

The Influence of Cognitive Biases
Simon discussed broader patterns of decision-making. He explained that many clinicians overestimate their certainty and skills. He referenced studies, including surveys where clinicians believed they were “above average”, illustrating the cognitive biases that affect judgment. In emergency medicine, this overconfidence is compounded by the nature of decision-making: early intervention often occurs before the full picture is available. Simon’s point was that such biases can lead to potentially dangerous decisions when the clinical situation demands careful consideration and humility.

Following Simon’s presentation, Professor Paul Dark, Vice Dean for Health and Care Partnerships at The University of Manchester, highlighted Simon’s significant contribution to medical education, particularly noting the ongoing use of the Best Bets approach with medical students, which has greatly enhanced their learning experience.Paul then posed a question regarding lessons learned from high-acuity, low-frequency incidents and how they might apply to high-acuity, low-occurrence (HALO) situations in healthcare. Simon responded by emphasising the importance of organisational culture, citing his work with air ambulance teams. He discussed the agile approach that emerged during COVID-19, where rapid adaptation and empowerment of small, motivated teams led to significant improvements. He stressed that, while large organisations often struggle to maintain such momentum, the flexibility and quick decision-making seen in smaller, high-performing teams could inspire positive changes in larger systems.

The session concluded with a final question about time management, with Simon sharing his approach to balancing his multiple roles in research, clinical practice, and other professional responsibilities. His key strategies included amplifying outputs from a single task (e.g., turning a review article into a blog, podcast, or presentation), fostering collaboration with others, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance with his family. He emphasised that working with great people and continuously developing others are crucial components of success.