Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Staff Profile

Emerita Professor Helen Foster

Emerita Professor

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5548
  • Address: Population and Health Institute
    Baddiley Clarke Building
    Â鶹´«Ã½
    Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne, UK
Background

Introduction

Helen graduated from Â鶹´«Ã½ medical school in 1985 and then trained in adult medicine, adult rheumatology and subsequently general paediatrics and paediatric rheumatology with a clinical fellowship in Vancouver, Canada.She has worked in the National Health Service (NHS) UK as a Consultant since 1995 at Â鶹´«Ã½ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Helen was appointed as Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Rheumatology 2001 at Â鶹´«Ã½ and awarded a Personal Chair in 2008.

She is champion of best practice and advocate for 'right care'. She represented paediatric rheumatology at a national and international level to develop and implement changes in clinical practice, training and research. In various national roles she led change in clinical care delivery and training across the UK, NHS England Specialist Commissioning in paediatric rheumatology and development of European Recommendations for Transitional care. She contributed to NICE guidelines for biologics in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and NICE guidance with ‘Rightpath’ (http://www.rightpath.solutions) as a validated community based model of musculoskeletal (MSK) triage in the community. She is member of the WHO Expert Panel for MSK health (2021), contributed to WHO guidance (Chronic pain 2020) and proposals to change the WHO Essentials Medicine List for Joint Diseases (2020). Her academic work research has focused on identifying, describing and addressing barriers and drivers to right care. Key achievements include novel clinical tools (pGALS, pREMS) widely embedded in clinical education and a portfolio of e-resources called Paediatric Musculoskeletal Matters - PMM (http://www.pmmonline.org) - which is a free and open resource targeting medical students, community care and general paediatricians around the world. PMM was transferred to the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society in May 2022.

Helen worked at Â鶹´«Ã½ Medicine Malaysia 2018-2020 and set up the Paediatric Global MSK Task Force with a ‘call to action’ to promote better MSK health for all children. 

She retired from the NHS in November 2021. Following her retirement and appointment to Emerita Professor she aims to promote paediatric global MSK health and the importance of access to right care. 


Research

To improve access to best care for children with musculoskeletal problems through greater awareness, insight and understanding of barriers and drivers to inform an evidence based strategy to address unmet need. Our research has been driven by a motivated multi-professional interdisciplinary team with a shared vision of working better together. 

Our work has contributed to education and training of the workforce, standards of care, models of practice and NICE guidance. Key Interventions include:

  • Novel evidence based educational resources targeting all health care professionals involved in care pathways for children (pGALS, V-pGALS, pREMS and the PMM Portfolio).
  • Models of care to facilitate earlier diagnosis and access to specialist care - RightPath, pGALSplus 
  • PMM Portfolio (website, apps and e-modules) and telemedicine (V-pGALS).
  • Updating the WHO Essential Medicines List for Joint Diseases in children to facilitate access to treatments.

Our work has progressed to the wider health care context, in partnership together with stakeholders from low and middle resource income countries around the world to raise awareness, workforce capacity build and lobbying for change.





Teaching

Helen has extensive clinical teaching experience, mentoring and support for medical students and postgraduate trainees in primary care, general paediatrics and sub-specialist training. Her body of work has led to novel e-resources to promote teaching and learning about paediatric musculoskeletal medicine targeting medical / nursing students, trainees in primary care and paediatrics and clinicians in allied health and nursing. She developed pGALS as a validated musculoskeletal examination tool which is widely taught around the world and facilitated through multiple language translations.

As Founder and Editor of Paediatric Musculoskeletal Matters (PMM) - the body of work has grown as a collaborative effort with global partners and latterly with the Paediatric Global Musculoskeletal Task Force to raise awareness, facilitate early diagnosis and access to 'right' care. The PMM Portfolio is free and comprises evidence based e-resources including the PMM website, pGALS app and e-modules. PMM was transferred from Â鶹´«Ã½ to the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PRES) in 2022 for long term guardianship and to maintain it being free and open to al.

As lead of the Royal College Paediatrics and Child Health Specialist Advisory Committee, Helen led development of the Competency Framework for paediatric rheumatology training in the UK and inclusion of musculoskeletal competences for all paediatricians. 

As UK representative for the PReS Education and Training Committee (ETC), she worked to develop standards and curricula for training in Europe. Ongoing collaboration with the Global Task Force and PReS support and facilitate workforce capacity building in low and middle resource income countries.

As a member of the World Forum on Medical Education in Rheumatology Helen has worked to promote inclusion of paediatrics musculoskeletal health in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. 




Publications

  • Articles

    • Mercer V, Smith N, Guglieri M, Jones SA, Parr JR, Foster HE, Jandial S. . Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2024, 8(3), rkae089.
    • Kearsley-Fleet L, Baildam E, Beresford MW, Douglas S, Foster HE, Southwood TR, Hyrich KL, on behalf of the UK JIA Biologics Register. . The Lancet Rheumatology 2024, 6(7), e438-e446.
    • Slamang W, Scott C, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2024, 22(1), 63.
    • Kearsley-Fleet L, Baildam E, Beresford MW, Douglas S, Foster HE, Southwood TR, Hyrich KL, Ciurtin C. . Rheumatology 2023, 62(5), 1926-1935.
    • Jansen MHA, Rondaan C, Legger GE, Minden K, Uziel Y, Toplak N, Maritsi D, van den Berg L, Berbers GAM, Bruijning P, Egert Y, Normand C, Bijl M, Foster HE, Kone-Paut I, Wouters C, Ravelli A, Elkayam O, Wulffraat NM, Heijstek MW. . Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2023, 82(1), 35-47.
    • Migowa A, Bernatsky S, Ngugi AK, Foster HE, Muriuki P, Riang'a RM, Luchters S. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2023, 21(1), 144.
    • Migowa A, Bernatsky S, Ngugi A, Foster HE, Muriuki P, Lusambili A, Luchters S. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2023, 21(1), 6.
    • Yarwood A, Shoop-Worrall S, Lopez-Isac E, Smith SL, Morris AP, Baildam E, Chieng A, Cleary G, Ciurtin C, Davidson JE, Foster HE, Ioannou Y, McErlane F, Wedderburn LR, Hyrich K, Thomson W, Bowes JD, Tordoff M, Hyrich KL, Thomson W, Eyre S. . Rheumatology 2022, 61(10), 4136-4144.
    • Briggs AM, Huckel Schneider C, Slater H, Jordan JE, Parambath S, Young JJ, Sharma S, Kopansky-Giles D, Mishrra S, Akesson KE, Ali N, Belton J, Betteridge N, Blyth FM, Brown R, Debere D, Dreinhofer KE, Finucane L, Foster HE, Gimigliano F, Haldeman S, Haq SA, Horgan B, Jain A, Joshipura M, Kalla AA, Lothe J, Matsuda S, Mobasheri A, Mwaniki L, Nordin MC, Pattison M, Reis FJJ, Soriano ER, Tick H, Waddell J, Wiek D, Woolf AD, March L. . BMJ Global Health 2021, 6(6), e006045.
    • Tangcheewinsirikul S, Tang S-P, Smith N, Sukharomana M, Charuvanij S, Vilaiyuk S, Arkachaisri T, Scott C, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2021, 19(1), 11.
    • Smith N, Foster HE, Jandial S. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2021, 19(1), 85.
    • Rapley T, May C, Smith N, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2021, 19(1), 43.
    • Foster HE, Scott C. . Nature Reviews Rheumatology 2020, 16, 123.
    • Davies R, De Cock D, Kearsley-Fleet L, Southwood T, Baildam E, Beresford MW, Foster HE, Thomson W, Ramanan AV, Hyrich KL. . Rheumatology 2020, 59(6), 1391-1397.
    • Shenoi S, Hayward K, Curran ML, Kessler E, Mehta JJ, Riebschleger MP, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2020, 18(1), 85.
    • Smith N, Mercer V, Firth J, Jandial S, Kinsey K, Light H, Nye A, Rapley T, Foster HE. . Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2020, 4(2), rkaa057.
    • Foster HE, Scott C, Tiderius CJ, Dobbs MB. . Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 2020, 34(5), 101566.
    • Dave M, Rankin J, Pearce MS, Foster H. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2020, 18, 49.
    • Kearsley-Fleet L, Heaf E, Davies R, Baildam E, Beresford MW, Foster HE, Southwood TR, Thomson W, Hyrich KL. . The Lancet Rheumatology 2020, 2(4), e217-e226.
    • Jones AP, Clayton D, Nkhoma G, Sherratt FC, Peak M, Stones SR, Roper L, Young B, McErlane F, Moitt T, Ramanan AV, Foster HE, Williamson PR, Deepak S, Beresford MW, Baildam EM. . Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) 2020, 24(36), 1-152.
    • Shoop-Worral SJW, Hyrich K, Verstappen SMM, Sergeant JC, Baildam E, Chieng A, Davidson J, Foster H, Ioannou Y, McErlane F, Wedderburn LR, Thomson W, McDonagh JE. . Arthritis Care and Research 2020, 72(4), 517-524.
    • Dolezalova P, Anton J, Avcin T, Beresford MW, Brogan PA, Constantin T, Egert Y, Foeldvari I, Foster HE, Hentgen V, KonePaut I, KuemmerleDeschner JB, Lahdenne P, Magnusson Bo, Martini A, McCann L, Minden K, Ozen S, Schoemaker C, Quartier P, Ravelli A, RumbaRozenfelde I, Ruperto N, Vastert S, Wouters C, Zulian F, Wulffraat NM. . Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019.
    • Scott C, Chan M, Slamang W, Okong'o L, Petty R, Laxer RM, Katsicas M-M, Fredrick F, Chipeta J, Faller G, Pileggi G, Saad-Magalhaes C, Wouters C, Foster HE, Kubchandani R, Ruperto N, Russo R. . Clinical Rheumatology 2019, 38(2), 563-575.
    • Foster HE, Vojinivic J, Constantin T, Martini A, Colezalova P, Uziel Y, Smith EMD, Lamot L, Wouters C, Avcin T, Wulffraat N. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2018, 16, 77.
    • Foster HE, Minden K, Clemente D, Leon L, McDonagh JE, Kamphuis S, Berggren K, Van Pelt P, Wouters C, Waite-Jones J, Tattersall R, Wyllie R, Stones SR, Martini A, Constantin T, Schalm S, Fidanci B, Erer B, Dermikaya E, Ozen S, Carmona L. . Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2017, 76(4), 639-646.
    • McErlane F, Foster HE, Carrasco R, Baildam EM, Chieng SEA, Davidson JE, Ioannou Y, Wedderburn LR, Thomson W, Hyrich KL. . Rheumatology 2016, 55(7), 1225-1234.
    • Smith N, Rapley T, Jandial S, English C, Davies B, Wyllie R, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2016, 14(1), 1-7.
    • Jandial S, Stewart J, Foster HE. . BMC Medical Education 2015, 15, 171.
    • Foster HE, Kay LJ, May CR, Rapley TR. . Arthritis Care & Research 2011, 63(11), 1503-1510.
    • Davies K, Cleary AG, Hutchinson E, Foster HE, Baildam E. . Rheumatology 2010, 49(7), 1406-1408.
    • Jandial S, Rapley T, Foster H. . Rheumatology 2009, 48(5), 587-590.
    • Jandial S, Foster HE. . Paediatrics and Child Health 2008, 18(2), 47-55.
    • Foster HE, Eltringham MS, Kay LJ, Friswell M, Abinun M, Myers A. . Arthritis Care and Research 2007, 57(6), 921-927.
    • Foster HE, Kay LJ, Friswell M, Coady D, Myers A. . Arthritis Care and Research 2006, 55(5), 709-716.
    • Foster HE, Marshall N, Myers A, Dunkley P, Griffiths ID. . Arthritis and Rheumatism 2003, 48(3), 767-775.
    • Welbury RR, Thomason JM, Fitzgerald JL, Steen IN, Marshall NJ, Foster HE. . Rheumatology 2003, 42(12), 1445-1451.

  • Letters

    • Slamang W, Smith N, Scott C, Foster H. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2022, 20(1), 89.
    • Scott C, Smith N, James R, Whitehead B, Green R, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2021, 19, 10.
    • Foster HE, Scott C, Tiderius CJ, Dobbs MB. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2020, 18(1), 60.

  • Reviews

    • Vilaiyuk S, Hadef D, Hamdi W, Scott C, Slamang W, Foster HE, Lewandowski LB. . Best Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology 2024, 38(3), 101983.
    • McColl J, Mwizerwa O, Scott C, Tse SML, Foster HE. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2024, 22(1), 60.
    • Mercer V, Smith N, Jandial S, Guglieri M, Jones SA, Foster HE. . Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2024, 8(1), rkae004.
    • McLaughlin D, Keir M, Foster H, Jandial S. . Medicine 2022, 50(3), 149-158.
    • McDonagh JE, Tattersall R, Clinch J, Swan J, Foster HE, McCann L. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2021, 19(1), 136.
    • Smith EMD, Ainsworth S, Beresford MW, Buys V, Costello W, Egert Y, Foster HE, Lamot L, Prakken BJ, Scott C, Stones SR. . Pediatric Rheumatology 2020, 18, 71.
    • Al Maini M, Al Weshahi Y, Foster HE, Chehade MJ, Gabriel SE, Saleh JA, Al Wahshi H, Bijlsma JWJ, Cutolo M, Lakhanpal S, Venkatramana M, Pineda C, Woolf AD. . Clinical Rheumatology 2020, 39, 627-642.