Emeritus Professor appointment for retiring surgeon

Professor David Leaper was conferred an Emeritus Professor of the University

A SURGEON who carried out pioneering research into the prevention of infection after surgery has been honoured by the University of Huddersfield.

David Leaper’s association with the University began in 2013, when he was appointed its Professor of Clinical Sciences.  He also helped to establish the Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention (ISIaIP), and served as its co-director.

I am delighted to say that David has inspired many medical staff to take an interest in wound care, develop their own research and actively supports their endeavours.

Professor Karen Ousey

Now he has been appointed Emeritus Professor, having been deemed to have served the University with “particular distinction”.  The honour was bestowed at one of the July 2017 sequence of awards ceremonies taking place at the University.  An oration for Professor Leaper was delivered by Professor Karen Ousey, a wound care expert and co-founder of the ISIaIP.

She told how she first heard Professor Leaper in 1996 when he spoke at an international wound management conference.

“I was struck by the passion with which he delivered his message about prevention of surgical site infection and wound healing.  He invoked enthusiasm from the whole audience, with my colleagues stating how refreshing it was to hear a surgeon discussing these topics,” said Professor Ousey.

“I am delighted to say that David has inspired other medical staff to take an interest in wound care, develop their own research and actively supports their endeavours,” she continued.

Professor Ousey explained that as a surgeon, Professor Leaper had witnessed the devastating effect surgical site infections can have on patients and their loved ones.

“He identified that if staff followed simple processes that included hand washing, appropriate administration of antibiotics and keeping patients warm during surgery, then there could be a reduction in infection rates. 

“His research has highlighted that compliance rates with these bundles and measuring of infection rates is not always accurate.  He has written a plethora of papers that explore and question why this does not happen.  This research has been recognised both nationally and internationally,” said Professor Ousey.

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Professor Ousey added that during his time at the University of Huddersfield, Professor Leaper had worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the ISIaIP while maintaining his research outputs to raise standards of care for patients who have undergone a surgical procedure.

After being conferred with his honour, Professor Leaper expressed his thanks and described Huddersfield as “a wonderful university”.  He also hoped that many of the graduates present – at an awards ceremony for former students of the School of Human and Health Sciences – would develop academic careers.