Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) has appointed a new Clinical Lead to play a leading role in the development of clinical partnerships across Greater Manchester’s local health and care system.

Professor Andy Ustianowski, Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine and NIHR Joint National Infection Specialty Lead has been named as the new Clinical Lead, and will combine his role as a senior consultant with this role on behalf of MAHSC and Health Innovation Manchester.

MAHSC brings together academic and NHS partners, including Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Group), Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester.

The MAHSC Clinical Lead will work across a core group, bringing together world leading academic and NHS partners to drive health research, alongside Health Innovation Manchester’s Chief Academic Officer, Professor Peter Clayton, Clinical Director, Dr Tracey Vell MBE and Academic Director, Professor Ian Bruce.

Alongside his role as a senior consultant, Professor Ustianowski also holds multiple senior leadership roles across the NHS, including the National Clinical Lead for the NIHR COVID Vaccine Research Programme, the joint National Speciality Lead for Infection at NIHR Clinical research Network (CRN), and the Deputy Clinical Director of CRN Greater Manchester.

In July 2020, Professor Ustianowski was named as one of nine MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs for major contributions to their clinical speciality, including excellence in research and education.

Professor Usitanowski has also previously spoken exclusively to Health Innovation Manchester, on how Greater Manchester has played a leading role in the national COVID-19 research efforts and the importance of clinical research during the pandemic.

Professor Andy Ustianowski, said: “I am delighted to take up this role at MAHSC. There is a wealth of existing excellent research and innovation within MAHSC and the wider Greater Manchester Area which makes this a very exciting position. There is also much that we can do in the next few years, and I look forward to working closely with the many people and groups involved in health and social care research in our region.”

Professor Peter Clayton, said: “We are delighted to have Andy as part of the MAHSC and wider Health Innovation Manchester team. Building upon his MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chair, he brings exceptional experience of local and national leadership that will help MAHSC achieve its 2025 vision of accelerating our research to population benefit and economic gain across Greater Manchester and beyond.”

To find out more about MAHSC and this portfolio of work with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and NHS England and NHS Improvement, click here.