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/Associate Professor, Mid Yorks NHS Teaching Trust/University of Huddersfield
Leanne has a joint clinical academic role at the University of Huddersfield and Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust. She holds a Master’s in Advanced Nursing Practice and a PhD focused on peripheral arterial disease. Her clinical and research interests include leg ulcer management, advanced wound care, and vascular disease.
Dr Atkin has authored over 120 publications, contributing significantly to evidence-based practice. As a chief and principal investigator, she leads key research studies while advocating for improved lower limb care. She is a core member of the ‘Legs Matter’ campaign, promoting public awareness, early detection, and better outcomes for patients with lower limb conditions.
Mr Neeraj Bhasin, Chair, The Circulation Foundation, Vascular Surgeon and Executive Medical Director, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Neeraj graduated from the United and Medical and Dental Schools of Guys and St Thomas’s Hospitals, London, and completed his basic and higher surgical training through the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery. In between his basic and higher surgical training, Neeraj completed a basic science MD at the University of Leeds in fibrin clot structure as a British Heart Foundation Junior Research Fellow.
Starting as a Consultant Vascular Surgeon in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust in 2011, he quickly started to develop a career in Clinical Leadership, becoming Associate Medical Director. Whilst continuing his clinical practice he became Clinical Director of the West Yorkshire Vascular Service, leading the transformation of Vascular Services across 5 acute trusts serving a population of 2.4 million.
Recently, Neeraj return in his clinical leadership role to CHFT become deputy, and now, executive medical director. Throughout this he has continued his clinical practice as a Vascular Surgeon.
Neeraj is very proud to be Chair of The Circulation Foundation, the charity arm of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The CF has the aims of supporting research in to vascular disease, raising awareness, and supporting patients and carers with vascular disease.
Joanne Casey – 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 clinically 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 and was laterally Professional development lead at the Royal College of Podiatry.
Joanne 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.
Martin Fox, Vascular Specialist Podiatrist, Manchester
Martin is a leading Vascular Podiatrist and has worked with RCPod and The Vascular Society to support the memorandum of understanding to improve the care of individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). He also led the development as a RCPod council member to establish their Vascular Specialist Advisory Group and is currently a practising Vascular Podiatry in Manchester.
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.
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.
