Trust academic appointed as Chief Scientific Adviser

Professor Lucy Chappell, honorary consultant obstetrician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London, has been appointed as the next Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

In her new role, Professor Chappell will lead the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), working in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care. She will have responsibility for research policy, research management and delivery of the £1.3bn research budget.

Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Professor Ian Abbs said: “I am delighted that Lucy has been appointed to this prestigious role. The past year has shown us the critical importance of health research in our everyday lives, and we are extremely proud to see a colleague take on such an important national leadership role as we emerge from the pandemic.”

In her work at Guy’s and St Thomas’, and King’s College London, Lucy’s research has spanned many areas of obstetrics, from pre-eclampsia to the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women. She will continue some of her clinical and academic work alongside the new appointment.