Sheffield charity advisor wins prestigious industry award
18 February 2019
A clinical advisor to a Sheffield-based rare disease charity has received a lifetime achievement award for his work.
Professor Paul Corris, who works closely with the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA UK), based in Chapeltown, was recognised by the International Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute at an awards ceremony in Barcelona.
Pulmonary hypertension is a life-limiting heart and lung disease which affects just 7,000 people in the UK.
Paul, 63, was heavily involved in securing a national pulmonary hypertension service which was established in 2001. It is made up of eight specialist centres across the UK, including the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. His research has also led to higher success rates for lung transplants across the world. He recently retired from his clinical role as Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
The lifetime achievement award is the second Paul has won in recent months. He also picked up the British Thoracic Society medal in December, awarded annually to individuals who have greatly contributed to respiratory medicine in Britain.
“I am thrilled and honoured to receive this award,” Paul said. “To be recognised for a lifetime’s work in developing improving clinical care for patients and the quality of one’s research by your international peers is very special. I also recognise and acknowledge the fantastic support given to me by my colleagues in the pulmonary hypertension clinical service.
“Thank you also to my wife and family who have supported me throughout my career despite the many days I left the house very early and arrived home very late.”
Paul is also co-chair of PHocus2021, an advocacy group set up by PHA UK which campaigns for changes to public policy.
Iain Armstrong, chair of PHA UK, said: “It is fantastic to see Paul recognised with these two awards. His tireless work which led to the establishment of the pulmonary hypertension specialist centres is an inspiration and he has made a huge difference to so many people’s lives across his career. He has always kept the patient’s needs at the centre of his care.
“He has been an exceptional colleague and friend over the last 20 years and fully deserves these awards as he begins his well-earned retirement from clinical practice.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Image shows Professor Paul Corris.
Media contact: Chris Coates on 01226 766900 or at chris@capitalbmedia.co.uk
About PHA UK
PHA UK is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting the PH community made up of patients, their family and carers and NHS professionals.
It provides information, support and advice; and funds thousands of pounds worth of medical research and health education initiatives to promote better awareness, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
PHA UK is based in Chapeltown, Sheffield.
About pulmonary hypertension (PH)
Thanks to a range of highly advanced treatments developed over the last 15 years, people with pulmonary hypertension have seen quality of life improve and life expectancy double to around six to seven years on average, with many living longer. But there is no cure. A few people with PH undergo heart and lung transplants.
People can be born with PH or develop it at any time and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or ethnic background. It affects more women than men.
The seven adult specialist PH centres in the UK are within the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle; Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow; Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield; Papworth Hospital NHS Trust in Cambridgeshire; and Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Royal Free Hospital in London.
For further information about pulmonary hypertension visit www.phauk.org, call the PHA UK office on 01709 761450 or e-mail office@phauk.org.
For more information about PHocus2021, visit www.phocus2021.org.uk
PHA UK is a registered charity no: 1120756
This press release was prepared by Capital B Media, a public relations and media training agency based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. For more information, please visit www.capitalbmedia.co.uk.
