The vision for this new Section is the development of a sustainable centre of excellence for the advancement of patient care in the fields of anaesthesia, surgery and related disciplines. As part of LIMM the Section has a strong research focus. The research conducted within the Section will have in common:
i) its quality will meet criteria of international excellence within discipline;
ii) it will be driven by clinical goals.
Basic molecular and technological research is conducted within the Section’s own laboratories but also in collaboration with colleagues in other LIMM sections (for example, Molecular Gastroenterology, Pathology & Tumour Biology) and other Faculties within the University of Leeds (Biological Sciences, Engineering). Members of the Section also have established links with the Yorkshire DNA laboratory, the Section of Clinical Trials Research and the West Yorkshire Local Clinical Research Network. As the ultimate aim of all our research is to translate our basic research findings into clinical benefit, maintenance of fruitful partnerships with clinicians in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals is of vital importance.
The clinical interests that drive our research include colorectal surgery, perioperative medicine, critical care and malignant hyperthermia.
Research can impact on patient care globally but advancement of patient care will be achieved at other levels. The most direct, and an excellent example of knowledge transfer, is by clinical academics demonstrating professional leadership in the implementation of research results into clinical practice locally. Next is by contributing to the development of our medical graduates as doctors fit to practise to a consistently high standard. Undergraduate medical teaching is an important responsibility for the Section and Professor Hopkins is Institute Lead for Learning & Teaching.