Claudine Matthews: addressing health inequalities
Dr Claudine Matthews is a registered award-winning consultant dietitian and national lead for sickle cell nutrition.
Claudine was awarded the Dame Barbara Clayton Award by the British Dietetic Association in 2024 for her pioneering research and work in tackling health inequalities in sickle cell nutrition. Her efforts are bridging knowledge and care provision gaps in this patient population.
Personal journey
In 2023, Claudine completed a DProf Health and Social Care with ARU. Her professional doctorate looked at integrating nutrition into standard care in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
The professional doctorate helped to develop Claudine's personal and professional leadership capability, and problem-solving skills. In turn, this accelerated the recognition of sickle cell nutrition as an emerging specialty in dietetics.
Because of her innovative work, Claudine was accepted onto Cohort 9 of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme for her contributions to advancing sickle cell nutrition in the NHS – further validating the national importance of her work.
Achievements and impact
Claudine founded the Sickle Cell Nutrition Academy, its mission being to improve access to nutrition and service provision for sickle cell patients.
Her pioneering work is testimony to her leadership, motivation, determination, and commitment to address the health inequalities linked to the lack of nutrition service provision.
“Claudine is a highly motivated and determined individual who has worked tirelessly to address the health inequalities present for patients who suffer from sickle cell anaemia. She has worked hard to establish and bridge the dietary needs gap in these patients. Through her determination, she has brought these issues into the public domain and has become a prolific speaker in areas where standards of care are established. Claudine has been invited to speak in parliamentary debates, and her passion is undeniable. This led her to set up the first charity that explores, advises, and educates on the dietetic needs of patients with sickle cell anaemia. Claudine's work has set standards not just in the dietetics arena but throughout the medical field. There has been a significant impact on how we address the dietetic needs of these patients.”
Dr Jennifer Darkwa, GP Partner and Clinical DirectorDr Claudine Matthews was a finalist in our Vice Chancellor's Outstanding Alumni Awards 2025.