3 November 2021

A former specialty lead has expressed his pride in being able to help to shape National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-supported hepatology research in south London for four years. 

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Consultant Hepatologist Dr Deepak Joshi [pictured right] was the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) South London’s Research Specialty Lead for Hepatology. Specialty leads develop clinical activity within a specific area of medicine, encouraging local hospital clinicians to undertake research within the field. 

The Consultant Hepatologist said his proudest achievement was in bringing together researchers from across south London to improve patient care.  

Dr Joshi said:  

I took up the role in 2017 as there was an opportunity to help to shape hepatology research by bringing researchers together to improve patient care. Hopefully I have inspired the next generation to continue to undertake clinical research.” 
This Network is much more inclusive, because it now has dedicated hepatologists based right across south London. The NIHR CRN is amazing in providing better treatments to patients, certainly those with rarer conditions. Access to these drugs would not be possible without the CRN.” 
I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has supported and guided me over the years, and I promise to be around to support my successor as and when needed. 

The hepatology specialty oversees research that deals with the diagnosis and management of patients with diseases of the liver, biliary tree and pancreas. The biliary tree is a system of vessels that directs secretions from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas through a series of ducts into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. 

Consultant Hepatologist at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Dr Arjuna Singanayagam has been appointed as the Network’s new Research Specialty Lead for Hepatology. 

CRN South London’s Research Delivery Manager Nhlanhla Mguni said:   

I’d like to say thank you to Deepak for his hard work over the last four years and wish him all the best for his future endeavours. He is a real asset to the hepatology specialty.”  
We are also delighted to welcome Arjuna to the Network, and I look forward to working with him in continuing to increase access to hepatology research for patients and clinicians throughout our region. 

You can find out more about how the NIHR supports hepatology research via the organisation’s website.