Trustee spotlight

Tricia McKinney has been a member of our board of trustees for over two years. She is an Emeritus Professor who spent her career as an epidemiologist — focusing on research into children’s chronic conditions, including childhood cancer and diabetes — looking at the causes of these conditions. As well as investigating how children affected are cared for, and the quality of this care. As part of her drive to improve health care for children, Tricia was one of the founders of a national audit of paediatric intensive care (PICANet) which aimed to ensure the best possible care is delivered to very ill children.

Tricia first became interested in Martin House when she was researching the causes of childhood cancers at the University of Leeds and was one of the first researchers to receive a research grant from the hospice — aiming to estimate how many children in Yorkshire were living with life-limiting conditions. Tricia has been a member of the Martin House Research Committee since it was established and was influential in setting up the Martin House Research Centre — in collaboration with the University of York. She continues to support and contribute to the centre and has a strong interest in involving young people, parents and carers in research discussions. Alongside this work for Martin House, Tricia was an early volunteer in our Headingley shop.
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Due to her involvement in the research committee and establishment of the Martin House Research Centre, Tricia was invited to apply to become a trustee to provide a bridge between the trustees and the research element of Martin House, so she could explain more of the background and context around issues for discussion, representing the work of the research centre.

Tricia said: ‘I wanted to make a contribution around my professional interest and expertise. I can offer an explanation around research related discussions. My trustee role is very important and worthwhile to me — I enjoy being able to contribute to the running of Martin House and it’s good to meet with a group of people involved in completely different professions.’

In her spare time, Tricia is involved in a number of different projects with the NHS in Leeds — mainly around making sure the patient voice is heard and patients are involved in the design and implementation of service delivery. She is also a keen dog walker and grandparent to six grandchildren.