After qualifying as a registered mental health nurse and gaining further specialist training in child and family psychiatry, Derek worked in clinical practice in both the NHS and local authority social services departments. Derek graduated as a mature student having studied Social Policy and Public Administration and since his graduation in 1992 he has been involved in a number of health and social care research studies using a range of research methodologies. Topics have included community care and housing policy, primary aged children and school exclusion, older people’s health care, and the role of the physical health care environment on health care outcomes. This has included completing Cochrane Systematic Reviews.

Derek has continued to work in both health and social care practice and academic research departments.  Derek is currently working on a NHS portfolio study in the area of older persons and falls in health care environments and his role within the RDS SC is to help to develop and support the Public and Patient Involvement agenda, as well as offering advice on research design and funding.