Dr David Ahearn

Dr David Ahearn qualified in 2003 at the University of Manchester and trained in General Medicine and medical subspecialties around the North West of England, before completing a five-year higher specialist training programme in both Geriatric Medicine and General Internal Medicine (GIM) between 2008 and 2013. Dr Ahearn was appointed Consultant Physician & Geriatrician at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (now part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) in 2013 where he undertakes a full-time clinical practice in South Manchester.

In addition to general medical on-calls covering all aspects of general and geriatric medicine, Dr Ahearn cares for in-patients at Wythenshawe Hospital and out-patients in Withington. He has specialist interests in Parkinson’s disease, falls in older people, dizziness and syncope (fainting), and organises specialist clinics for patients within these areas. Dr Ahearn also performs community visits to care homes and patients’ homes for frail and housebound patients.

Dr Ahearn is actively engaged in research and supervises medical students undertaking research projects. In recent years he has acted as Principal Investigator for trials looking at falls prevention and enhanced speech and therapy input for people with Parkinson's. In addition he has supervised specialist registrars completing their MSc dissertations.

Dr Ahearn is an Honorary Senior Lecturer and Module Leader for the Geriatric Giants' module of the MSc in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Salford. He is actively involved in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates and is an accredited Educational and Clinical Supervisor. He regularly supervises non-medical prescribers undergoing their training. Until July 2025, he was an Associate Hospital Dean for around 150 Year 4 medical students from the University of Manchester.

Dr Ahearn has around 15 publications in per reviewed journals covering Parkinson’s, dizziness, frailty and care home residents, end of life care and medical education.

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Dr Ahearn is heavily involved in development of services for Parkinson’s conditions, dizziness, fainting and balance disorders, as well as co-leading an acute inpatient ward. He is interested in quality improvement, safe clinical practice and effective use of IT in clinical practice.

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