Dr Sam Burr, BA, MSc, PhD

Senior Research Associate

In 2009 I completed the BA in German and Linguistic Science at University of York and worked in Berlin and England, while I gathered volunteering experience with children and adults with speech, language and communication needs. In 2011 I began my professional training at University College London and completed the MSc Speech & Language Sciences in 2013. In September 2013 I accepted a NQP post with Solent NHS Trust as a community paediatric Speech and Language Therapist, and developed my specialist interest in speech sound disorders and research. In March 2016 I secured funding from Solent NHS Trust to complete a Clinical Academic Internship to support the preparation of my application for an HEE/NIHR ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship. My application was successful, and the 4-year fellowship began in June 2017 and I was awarded my doctorate in November 2022. In February 2022 I took up a full-time role with BSLTRU as Senior Research Associate coordinating the NIHR RfPB funded MISLToe_SSD study and facilitating the SSLiC study. 

I am a passionate advocate of clinical academic roles through my work as a Research Champion for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and former role as Clinical Academic Lead for Solent NHS Trust. I am a Clinical Academic mentor through the RCSLT offering support to clinical colleagues looking to explore the clinical academic career pathway.

Selected publications

• Cleland, J., Burr, S., Harding, S., Stringer, H. & Wren, Y. [submitted]. Development of an Agreed Labelling System and Protocol for the Diagnosis of Speech Sound Disorder Subtypes in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 
• Harding, S., Burr, S., Cleland, J., Stringer, H. & Wren, Y. (2023). Outcome measures for children with speech sound disorder: an umbrella review protocol. BMJ Open.
• Harding, S.  & Burr, S. (2022). How to? Methods: Working with Children and Parents. In Volkmer & Broomfield (Eds), Seldom Heard Voices in Service User involvement. J & R Pres, Guildford:UK.   
• Stewart, A. & Burr, S. (2021). Thickened liquids: do they still have a place in the paediatric dysphagia toolkit? Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. 
• Burr, S., Harding, S., Wren, Y., & Deave, T. (2020). The Relationship between Feeding and non-Nutritive Sucking Behaviours and Speech Sound Development: A Systematic Review. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedia. Doi: 10.1159/000505266  

Researchgate Profile

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samantha_Burr

GMC Number: 6077269

Year of first qualification: 2003, London

Specialty: Anaesthesia

Secretary: Jean Moon

Telephone: 0117 414 5114

GMC Number: 6054795

Year of first qualification: 2002, Nottingham University

Specialty: Respiratory Medicine

Clinical interests: Interstitial lung disease

Secretary: Su Roberts

Telephone: 0117 414 2016

GMC Number: 6025672

Year of first qualification: 2001, University of Bristol

Specialty: Respiratory Medicine

Clinical interest: Adult respiratory Medicine, Lung Cancer

Secretary: Tracey Ayshford

Telephone: 0117 414 2016

Email: Respiratoryadmin@nbt.nhs.uk 

GMC Number: 6076946

Year of first qualification: 2003, University of Bristol

Specialty: Gastroenterology & General Internal Medicine

Clinical interest:  Inflammatory bowel disease,  General gastroenterology,  Endoscopy, Barrett’s oesophagus

Secretary: Sally Bale

Telephone: 0117 414 6353

Dr Leonard Griffiths is a Gastroenterologist with broad interests including general gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and endoscopy.

He qualified in 2003 from the University of Bristol, trained in the South West region and became a Consultant at North Bristol NHS Trust in 2017. He previously held lead roles in Audit and Education and is now the Clinical Lead for Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

Dr Griffiths is an endoscopy trainer, and accredited as a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme endoscopist. He works with his colleagues including IBD nurses striving to increase standards in IBD care. Dr Griffiths has an interest in computers and IT systems, and how these might improve information availability and workflow, with several projects ongoing.

In terms of research, Dr Griffiths received a PhD from the University of Bath Department of Biochemistry for his research into Barrett’s oesophagus (a pre-cancerous condition of the food pipe). This work led to a research trial in Barrett’s oesophagus where he was the Principle Investigator.

Dr Leonard Griffiths is a member of:

• British Society of Gastroenterology
• Royal College of Physicians
• British Society for Developmental Biology

GMC Number: 6102273

Year of first qualification: 2001, Medical University of Warsaw

Specialty: Neurology

Clinical interests: Movement Disorders, Deep Brain Stimulation, Botulinum injections for dystonia

Secretary: Louise Paul 

Telephone: 0117 414 6689

Dr Konrad Szewczyk-Krolikowski joined the North Bristol NHS Trust as a Consultant Neurologist in September 2016.

His main interest is Movement Disorders, particularly parkinsonism, dystonias, including treatment with botulinum toxin injections and deep brain stimulation.

He completed his specialty training in Plymouth and Exeter and did a DPhil degree on functional imaging changes in Parkinson’s Disease in Oxford.

Elizabeth Luckett 
Lead for Adult Screening and Immunisation Public Health England

Mr Devan Thavarajan
Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Director (North Bristol NHS Trust)

Teresa Robinson
Consultant vascular Scientist, Ultrasound Lead (University Hospitals Bristol)

Lila Elliott
Clinical Skills Trainer (North Bristol NHS Trust)

Michelle Britton
Specialist Vascular Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (North Bristol NHS Trust)

Jude Day
Specialist Vascular Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (North Bristol NHS Trust)

Shona Marriage
Programme Coordinator

Steve Seaton
Programme Coordinator/Administrator

Roland Keedwell
Patient Representative

Screening Technicians
Billie Kasht
Emma Bodman
Audrey Cook
Sarah Maitland

Following your initial assessment, you may be offered individual appointments with a psychologist. These appointments may be prior to a group, in place of a group, or following your attendance at the group. You will be included in these decisions so that you receive appropriate support.

A psychologist can help you to better understand your concerns that may be contributing to your difficulty losing weight and maintaining long-term weight loss. Many people find they have an emotional relationship with food or have simply built up unhelpful habits over time which can be difficult to change. Any individual appointments with psychology will focus on these issues, and aim to help you build alternative ways of coping.

Additionally, there are other services across the region that can provide psychological therapy and we may suggest that you contact them for additional support. This therapy could be an alternative (or more appropriate) source of support to our service, or it could be provided alongside it, depending on your needs. In some cases we may suggest that your GP provides your referral. We will discuss these options with you, if they are appropriate.

Following your initial assessment, depending on your circumstances, you may be offered individual appointments with the dietitian. These appointments with the dietitian may be prior to a group, in replace of a group, or following your attendance at the group. You will be included in these decisions.

During your appointment with the dietitian, you can expect to discuss:

• The key points of a balanced diet.
• Portion sizes and techniques to help with reducing them.
• Planning and preparation of meals.
• Helpful snacks.
• Triggers to eating.
• Energy balance.
• Managing hunger.
• Problem solving.

Our groups are called ‘Mood and Food’ and are currently run from Southmead Hospital for our Bristol patients and from Melksham Town Hall for our Wiltshire patients.

The Mood and Food groups are a great opportunity for you to meet with others from similar situations and to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

Mood and Food groups involve 8 sessions run either weekly or fortnightly. Each session lasts 2hours and 15minutes and we ensure there is a break half way through each session.

The groups are supportive, non-judgemental and take into account your individual circumstances. They are structured to allow time for both information giving and discussions. Each week will focus on a different theme and will typically build on previous topics.

The group content provides:

• New ways of managing thoughts and feelings without turning to food, to help you feel more in control of your eating and weight
• Interactive dietary education and advice to include portion sizes, planning meals, energy balance and managing your hunger
• A weight loss surgery session for those individuals who wish to consider progressing on to bariatric weight loss surgery.

Following the completion of a group, there are frequent drop-in sessions where you can weigh in and talk through any challenges that you may be experiencing with the facilitators.

Previous group members have told us:

‘’I feel more confident in my approach to weight loss”

“Has helped me make conscious decisions about my food and lifestyle.”

“Helped me so much to mentally prepare & learn about foods and reasons why I eat.”

“I now believe I am in control and know how to look at what is making me want to eat.”

“I have felt empowered and liked the positivity of the group and staff.”