Background

Biography

I have research expertise in the design, development and delivery of nationally-funded clinical trials with a track record in cardiac surgery and cardiology clinical trials, as well as in randomised controlled trial methodology. 

My background in the NHS and my active research and academic roles, mean that I am familiar with the landscape and strategic imperatives within which the NIHR and NHS operate.

I offer academic and strategic leadership of Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) and NIHR Research Design Service North East & North Cumbria (RDS NENC) teams. 

Director, Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU)

I hold responsibility for the academic, financial, administrative and business management of NCTU.

NCTU is focused on excellence in the design, development and delivery of clinical trials to improve patient outcomes .The Unit provides the infrastructure to support clinical trials and studies to be conducted to the standards required by regulators and in accordance with best practice and guidance. 

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nctu/

Email: nctu-enquiries@newcastle.ac.uk 

Phone: (0191) 208 2522

Director, NIHR Research Design Service North East & North Cumbria (RDS NENC) 

The RDS NENC is one of ten regionally based RDS’, which together form a national Research Design Service. 

The Research Design Service provides advice to investigators who are preparing applications for national peer-reviewed funding (to NIHR, AMRC, MRC and other national funding bodies) for applied health and social care research. 

RDS NENC operates an integrated, regional service: 

https://rds-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/ 

Email: rds.nenc@nihr.ac.uk

 ph. (0191) 208 7000

Publications

• Hancock HC, Maier RH, Kasim A, Mason J, Murphy G, Goodwin A, Owens WA, Akowuah E. Mini-sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy for aortic valve replacement: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2021, 11(1), e041398.
• Bayliss CD, Maier RH, Kasim A, Hancock H, Akowuah E. Does Blood Transfusion Have an Effect on Outcomes After Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?. Heart, Lung and Circulation 2021, 30(6), 909-916.
• Maier R, Bawamia B, Bennaceur K, Dunn S, Marsay L, Amoah R, Kasim A, Filby A, Austin D, Hancock H, Spyridopoulos I. Telomerase activation to reverse immunosenescence in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome: Protocol for a randomized pilot trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2020, 9(9), e19456.
• Hancock HC, Maier R, Kasim AS, Mason JM, Murphy GJ, Goodwin A, Owens WA, Kirmani B, Akowuah EF. Mini-sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy for aortic valve replacement: results from the MAVRIC randomised controlled trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) 2019, 73(19), 2487-2492.
• Clark E, Morton M, Sharma S, Fisher H, Howel D, Walker J, Wood R, Hancock H, Maier R, Marshall J, Bahl A, Crabb S, Jain S, Pedley I, Jones R, Staffurth J, Heer R. Prostate cancer androgen receptor splice variant 7 biomarker study - A multicentre randomised feasibility trial of biomarker-guided personalised treatment in patients with advanced prostate cancer (the VARIANT trial) study protocol. BMJ Open 2019, 9(12), e034708.
• Akowuah E, Goodwin AT, Owens WA, Hancock HC, Maier R, Kasim A, Mellor A, Khan K, Murphy G, Mason J. Manubrium-limited ministernotomy versus conventional sternotomy for aortic valve replacement (MAVRIC): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2017, 18(1), 46.
• Akowuah E, Goodwin AT, Owens WA, Hancock HC, Maier R, Kasim A, Mellor A, Khan K, Murphy G, Mason J. Manubrium-limited ministernotomy versus conventional sternotomy for aortic valve replacement: A randomised controlled trial (MAVRIC). In: Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery Annual Meeting & Cardiothoracic Forum. 2017, Belfast, Ireland: SCTS.
• Cox J, Hancock H, Maier R, Spratt J, Lee CM, Bhatti A, Mason J. Multidetector CT improving surgical outcomes in breast cancer (MISO-BC): A randomised controlled trial. Breast 2017, 32, 217-224.
• Stocker R, Close H, Hancock H, Hungin APS. Should heart failure be regarded as a terminal illness requiring palliative care? A study of heart failure patients’, carers’ and clinicians’ understanding of heart failure prognosis and its management. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2017, 7(4), 464-469.
• Akowuah E, Hancock H, Maier R, Kasim A, Zacharias J, Deshpande R, Birdi I, Vale L, Livesey S, Stewart M, Murphy G. Minimally invasive thoracoscopically-guided right minithoracotomy versus conventional sternotomy for mitral valve repair: a multicentre randomised controlled trial (UK Mini Mitral). NIHR Research Project 2016.
• Rees CJ, Rajasekhar PT, Wilson A, Close H, Rutter MD, Saunders BP, East JE, Maier R, Moorghen M, Muhammad U, Hancock H, Jayaprakash A, MacDonald C, Ramadas A, Dhar A, Mason JM. Narrow band imaging optical diagnosis of small colorectal polyps in routine clinical practice: The Detect Inspect Characterise Resect and Discard 2 (DISCARD 2) study. Gut 2016, 66(5), 887-895.
• Cox J, Hancock H, Spratt J, Close H, May C, Mohammed U, Mason J. Multidectector CT improving surgical; outcomes in patients with breast cancer: A randomised controlled trial. In: UK Radiological Congress. 2015, Liverpool, UK.
• Hancock HC, Close H, Fuat A, Murphy JJ, Hungin APS, Mason JM. Barriers to accurate diagnosis and effective management of heart failure have not changed in the past 10 years: A qualitative study and national survey. BMJ Open 2014, 4(3), e003866.
• Dhar A, Close H, Hancock H, Maier R, Wilson D, Mason JM, Vishwanath YKS, Rees C, Dwarakanath D. Biodegradable stent or ballon dilatation for benign oesophageal stricture: Pilot randomised controlled trial. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2014, 20(48), 18199-18206.
• Fuat A, Hancock HC. Co-ordinated care is kay to accurate diagnosis and effective management of HF. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing 2014, 9(7).
• Siriwardena AK, Mason JM, Mullamitha S, Hancock HC, Jegatheeswaran S. Management of colorectal cancer presenting with synchronous liver metastases. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 2014, 11(8), 446-459.
• Cox J, Hancock H, Spratt J, Close H, Lee CM, Mohammed U, Mason J. Multidetector CT Improving Surgical Outcomes in Breast Cancer (MISO BC). In: British Society of Breast Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2014. 2014, Brighton, UK: BioMed Central Ltd.