Keele University and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) are pleased to have appointed Professor Toby Helliwell as a new Chair of General Practice.

Professor Helliwell, who will take up his post on February 1st, will work between MPFT and Keele’s School of Medicine, building upon the already outstanding relationship between both organisations to facilitate new healthcare research and innovation.

With healthcare rapidly changing to be more community-orientated, this new post will be instrumental in developing an exciting new research portfolio that integrates primary, community and social care, and will further strengthen both organisations’ commitment to improving care for those they work with.

Professor Helliwell said: “I am incredibly excited by the opportunity I have been given to develop the existing research strengths of Keele and MPFT. Together we will be able to work towards a goal of holistic and tangible benefits for the people we serve through relevant and robust primary, community and social care research.”

Professor Christian Mallen, Head of the School of Medicine at Keele University said: “Professor Helliwell is an outstanding addition to the senior research team. Having started at Keele 15 years ago he has quickly established himself as a leader, securing more than £10million in grant income and publishing in some of the leading rheumatological and general medical journals.”

Neil Carr, Chief Executive of MPFT said: “Working with Keele, MPFT have established world-leading research groups in mental health and rheumatology. As clinical services become increasingly multi-professional and move into community settings, it is important that we generate evidence to support clinical and patient decision making. Working with the MPFT research and innovation team and senior academics at Keele, we are positioned to lead research in this critical field.”

Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University added: “This new Chair in General Practice, building on our existing strong partnership with Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is a really exciting and important research development for Keele University. Professor Helliwell is an outstanding and highly successful researcher and I’m delighted he has been appointed to this post, where I know he will have a significant impact.”