Julia Abernethy

I worked in the cross cutting team at the intersection between data science and infectious disease to identify research funding opportunities using innovative digital tools and technology to reduce the impact of infectious disease. In the infectious disease space I had a specific focus on improving the use of global pathogen genomic data for research and public health, including how to tackle inequities and challenges to data sharing from a technical perspective. I utilised my broad expertise across the UK health data ecosystem to provide technical and subject matter expertise to contribute to the recently announced UK Health Data Research Service.

As part of the Tech Policy Directorate I worked in the Data for R&D Team to improve the use of genomic data for patient benefit. This included working across research, government and industry partners to develop improved genomics data platforms.

Oversight of measurement and analytic support for the national patient safety improvement programmes and patient safety official statistics. Management and leadership of the analytics team, including developing new insightful approaches to analysing and presenting patient safety data.

Statistical lead for patient safety publications and official statistics. Responsible for timely and accurate production of official statistics, responses to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests. Managed team of analysts and provided subject matter input into the development of a new data collection and analytics platform.

Key member of the Transformation team. I was responsible for analysing Emergency Department Data to identify attendance patterns for use in service redesign and in quantifying Elective Theatre use to improve theatre productivity. Worked closely with clinical, administrative, and technology teams.

Lead for healthcare associated infection disease surveillance in Independent Sector Hospitals. Senior team member running the mandatory surveillance system for MRSA and MSSA bacteraemia, E. coli bacteraemia and C. difficile infection in NHS hospitals.

I assisted trial managers in setting up a paediatric HIV trial in Zambia, including drafting the trial protocol and clinical report forms

I worked on the CRASH Trial assisting with all aspects of data management

I undertook this degree part-time whilst also working at Public Health England