Event date: 3 September, 6.30-7.30pm
A Legs Matter educational event delivered in partnership with 
What’s it about?
A FREE webinar to discuss the key themes and recommendations of a new report on Peripheral Arterial Disease, following a parliamentary roundtable in December 2024
Learning objectives
- The current challenges in PAD diagnosis and treatment
- The case for greater Government recognition and investment in PAD
- Cost savings which could be realised by investment in timely revascularisation services
- Key recommendations for Government and NHS stakeholders, discussed during a recent parliamentary roundtable
Who should watch?
Community practitioners, anyone with an interest in Peripheral Arterial Disease.
Who are the speakers?
Dr Leanne Atkin (Chair) – Vascular Nurse Consultant, Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust and Research Fellow, University of Huddersfield
She completed her Masters degree in Advanced Nursing Practice 2010 and her PhD in 2017, her research focus was the treatment and management of peripheral arterial disease. Her passions include leg ulcer management, quality agenda, peripheral arterial disease and advanced wound management.
She has published over 50 articles related to lower limb ulceration, vascular diseases, wound assessment, and quality of life. Additionally, she is an active researcher running several studies as chief and principle investigator. She is currently leading the ‘Legs Matter’ campaign aiming to raise patient and public awareness of lower limb conditions and working with the National Wound Care Strategy chairing the lower limb stream of work.
Mr Mark Portou PhD FRCS, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Peripheral Arterial Disease, Diabetic Foot and Lower limb Services for North Central London, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Mark has a clinical and research interest in diabetic foot disease and wound healing. He specialises in the endovascular treatment of below the knee arterial occlusive disease and in the management of complex foot wounds.
He completed vascular training in the North-East Thames region of London and undertook a PhD project which examined the role of the innate immune mediated inflammation and the synergistic relationship between hyperglycaemia and ischaemia in diabetic foot disease. He won the ESVS clinical prize for this work and has presented it internationally. He is an honorary UCL clinical lecturer, clinical lead for peripheral arterial and lower limb services for North Central London and a European board member of the global CLI society.
Mr Neeraj Bhasin, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Executive Medical Director, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Jane Todhunter – SVN President and Advanced Vascular Nurse Practitioner, North Cumbria
Jane runs vascular clinics dealing with venous, arterial, lymphatic and complex wound issues, and manages inpatients with vascular disease. She is active in vascular research and PI for various studies, both portfolio and national and is a part time lecturer at the University of Cumbria. She is currently President of the Society of Vascular Nurses.
Joanne Casey – Professional Development Lead, Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) and Co-Chair, Legs Matter Coalition
Joanne is a podiatrist who has developed a portfolio career spanning clinical, research, education, management and leadership. She has worked within NHS primary, secondary, tertiary care teams and within independent practice settings. She has spent half of her 21year career working with the team in The Mike Edmonds Foot Clinic at Kings College Hospital, London.
She has a strong passion for community health, encouraging social prescribing and collaborative partnerships to provide individuals with personalised care to prevent tissue loss and limb amputation. Joanne is currently the Professional Development Lead at The Royal College of Podiatry; Visiting Fellow at The University of Southampton and Chair of the Legs Matter coalition.
