Paul Banaszkiewicz

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead

Paul graduated from Glasgow University, completing his basic SHO surgical training in the Merseyside Deanery and then undertook specialist registrar training on the North East of Scotland training programme.  He was appointed as Hip and Knee arthroplasty surgeon at Queen Elizabeth hospital Gateshead in 2004.

He is passionate about training and medical education being a fellow of Higher Education Academy, fellow Academy of Medical Educators and has a Master’s degree in Medical Education.

He is an RCSEng member for the appointments accreditation committee (AAC) and RCSEng quality assurance and accreditation assessor for courses seeking RCSEng course accreditation. 

Paul is visiting professor at Northumbria University this role acts as an interface between the academic roles Northumbria University provides and his own clinical oriented background that provides a practical focus for research.

He has been a strong supporter of the BOA Futures Leadership Programme and the BOA annual Travelling Fellowships.  He is a keen supporter of BOTA being regularly involved with their annual instructional course and sponsor of BOTA travelling fellowships. 

Paul is the main editor and author for three FRCS (Tr&Orth) related exam books that are international best sellers and have won several BMA book awards.  He co-ordinates an annual six-day intensive FRCS (Tr&Orth) revision course at Newcastle. In recent years Paul has run its international equivalent for overseas trainees with courses taking place in Dubai, India, Singapore and Jordan. 

For many years Paul was involved in humanitarian work in Northern Iraq regularly visiting the region to undertake neglected hip and knee arthroplasty surgery.  This gave him a greater appreciation and understanding of our own health care system.  Many patients would have continued to struggle due to a lack of local expertise and resources to pay for expensive surgery.

Through the contacts he has made overseas Paul is keen to develop the international profile of the BOA.

In his spare time, Paul is a keen runner, skier, gardener and Burnley FC fan.

Irrum Afzal

Honorary lecturer, Imperial College, BOSTAA Committee, OREF Non-Executive Board Member, NOA Director's Award, SWLEOC London

Irrum Afzal is an Imperial College London graduate and a recipient of the National Orthopaedic Alliance (NOA) Director’s Award. In addition to her academic qualifications, she holds both PRINCE2 Practitioner and Foundation certifications, demonstrating strong project management expertise.

With experience spanning both the NHS and private healthcare sectors, she brings a unique blend of research and operational insight, effectively delivering and managing numerous healthcare and research projects. Irrum has supported and overseen the delivery of multiple studies in compliance with regulatory frameworks and governance requirements. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to Good Clinical Practice (GCP). As a Professional Member of the Research Ethics Committee for the Health Research Authority (HRA), she holds a nationally significant role in safeguarding the ethical and scientific integrity of clinical research in the UK. Drawing on her extensive experience in the practical application of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles, she provides reviews clinical and non-clinical research ethical applications involving human participants, tissues, or data ensuring that all studies are ethically and methodologically robust, and that the rights, safety, and dignity of participants are fully protected. Irrum has published in various peer-reviewed journals, frequently presents at national and international conferences, and serves as a reviewer for The Bone & Joint Journal.

Irrum holds multiple positions of responsibility, including Vice Chair of Research and Innovation for the NOA, Board Member for OrthoAI (ORAIA), Research Committee Representative for the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association (BOSTAA), and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Lead for BOSTAA. She is also a Non-Executive Board Member of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), and plays an active role in the Imperial College Alumni Service.