NHS Borders Local Infrastructure

The Research & Innovation function at NHS Borders sits within the Clinical Governance & Quality Department. Laura Jones, Head of Clinical Governance is the Innovation Champion and is supported by Joy Dawson, Research Governance Manager.

Their roles help support and facilitate Innovation within NHS Borders. As a partner of the South East Scotland Innovation Network, NHS Borders is keen to expand its innovation remit in partnership with business to provide sustainable solutions to current health and social care challenges.

Joy Dawson

Research Governance Manager

Joy has worked in the NHS since 2002, firstly as a healthcare support worker before moving to physiological measurement.  Whilst in these roles, Joy completed her 2nd Open University degree with a BSC (Hons) in Health Studies. She joined the NHS Borders Research Governance Committee in 2009 and took up the Research Governance Co-Ordinator post in 2010.

During this time Joy also completed a pgcert from University of Manchester in Public Health.

After a 17 month period working as the NHS Research Scotland Musculoskeletal Champion Support Manager, Joy returned to NHS Borders as Research Governance Manager in September 2019.  Joy is also an NRS Good Clinical Practice trainer. Joy supports the NHS Borders Innovation Champion Laura Jones with the innovation workstream in NHS Borders.

Laura Jones

Head of Clinical Governance and Quality

Laura Jones is Head of Clinical Governance and Quality with NHS Borders with responsibility for the areas of patient safety, person centred care, clinical effectiveness and research and innovation. Laura also provides overall executive leadership for quality improvement. Laura has worked in the NHS for 18 years in several different roles at both national and local level. Prior to returning to NHS Borders she spent 6 years with the Scottish Government Quality and Efficiency Support Team acting as National Lead for improvement programmes including Acute Flow and Capacity Management, 18 Weeks Referral to Treatment and Planned Care. More recently she has held posts as Associate Director of Acute Services and General Manager for Planned Care within NHS Borders.

After graduating with a degree in Health Sciences Laura worked for NHS Lothian in the field of public health and research and went on to gain a Masters degree in Public Health.  Laura has extensive training and practical experience in quality improvement methodologies, lean and operations management science.