Dr Nicola Jane Cleghorn

Consultant Community Paediatrician, Consultant Forensic Paediatrician

I originally trained as a scientist in the field of genetics, working initially as a cytogeneticist  but then focusing on the molecular genetics of muscular dystrophy in my research. I then went to medical school in Newcastle and started training as a community paediatrician becoming a consultant in 2008 when I was appointed in Gateshead. I was particularly interested in safeguarding and became the Named Dr for Safeguarding Children in Gateshead before moving to Cumbria as the Designated Dr for Safeguarding, Looked After Children and Child Death in 2012. I moved to Durham in 2014 when a post was created including dedicated time for research into safeguarding children issues and I am now the senior medical lead for safeguarding for the trust. In addition, since 2008, I have been a Forensic Paediatric Consultant in  the Northern Paediatric Forensic Network based in Newcastle where I see children and young people who have experienced sexual assault or abuse and I provide the local historic sexual abuse service for County Durham and Darlington in my Dandelion clinic.

• Department: Paediatrics
• Speciality: Paediatrics
• Special interests: Community Paediatrics, Forensic Paediatrics, Safeguarding children and Young People
• Secretary: Leesa Walsh
• Training: Dual certified in Paediatrics and Community Paediatrics, trained in the Northern region
• Qualifications: BSc Hons Genetics, MPhil Human Genetics, MBBS, MRCPCH
• Date added to the specialist register: 2008
• Training role: Regional co-ordinator for Higher Specialist training in community paediatrics, Educational and Clinical supervisor, Research interest in Safeguarding children, member of the EUROCAN collaboration