Dr. Norman Sterling-Baxter

Dr Norman Sterling-Baxter has a wife and step-daughter with diagnosed hEDS with differing presentations.  His wife has complex comorbidities and his step-daughter has extremely complex co-morbidities and is a wheelchair-user.  Over the years he has gained relevant experience of the difficulties these patients have in their day-to-day life and interactions with clinicians 

He co-authored, with Karen Huntley of Healthwatch Calderdale, the report into HSD/hEDS patient experiences which was debated in Parliament. 

Academically he has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, covering both biological and cognitive aspects, an MSc in Cognitive Science, combining studies in language, psychology, knowledge-based systems and neural network computing.  He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a PhD in institutional, organisational and systemic abuse. 

As a qualified teacher/trainer he developed and implemented multi-agency adult safeguarding training for Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board.  He has a good knowledge of adult safeguarding practice and its relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.  His safeguarding training programme also involved joint work with Leeds Safeguarding Children Board at an authority wide level. 

He currently lectures at the University of Bradford on the social work degree course.