Dr Raef Dahab

Since 2018 Dr Raef Dahab has practiced as a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal Hospital, a regional Major Trauma centre and Neuroscience centre. Dr Dahab's clinical work focuses on Spinal Cord Injury Medicine and Major Trauma Rehabilitation, and he's currently lead at the regional Spinal Cord Injury service, providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care to individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), including those with cauda equina syndrome (CES). Demonstrating a commitment to service development, Dr Dahab has established two new outpatient specialist MDT clinics specifically for SCI and CES patients. After qualifying in Sudan 2002, Dr Dahab undertook medical training in the UK from 2005, completing Foundation, Core, and Specialty training. Specialty training in Rehabilitation Medicine was completed in the North West region, encompassing rotations in Neurorehabilitation, Hyper-Acute Rehabilitation, Major Trauma Rehabilitation, and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, followed by extended training focused on Spinal Cord Injuries. Alongside Dr Dahab's clinical duties, he has pursued further academic qualifications, achieving a Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Social Science in 2014 and a Masters degree in Medical Leadership and Management from Edge Hill University in 2019. Currently, Dr Dahab also serves as the Director of the Trust's Locally Employed Doctors Programme, supporting over 400 doctors' development and retention within the organisation.

Dr Dahab’s interest's are in Spinal Cord Injury medicine including providing inpatient and outpatient management to individuals with spinal cord injury's (SCI) and cauda equina syndrome (CES). Dr Dahab’s clinical interests focus on the rehabilitation of patients following major trauma. He has specialised expertise in the complex management of spasticity, notably through the use of intrathecal Baclofen treatment. Beyond direct patient care, Dr Dahab is dedicated to development within his field, actively contributing to the creation and implementation of new services to improve patient outcomes and advance the quality of care.

Dr Dahab brings a strong foundation in medical education, honed through experience as a Senior Lecturer in Postgraduate Medical Education at Edge Hill University Medical School from 2022 to 2024. This academic role was complemented by significant involvement within a hospital Trust’s postgraduate medical education department, where they progressed through various positions, currently serving as the Director of the LED Programme.

Dr. Dahab has contributed to a range of clinical research projects, resulting in several publications in peer-reviewed journals covering topics such as neurosurgery, trauma rehabilitation, orthopaedic complications, infection control, and decompression sickness. His published work includes case reports, national surveys, and observational studies, with notable articles such as a case of dysbaric osteonecrosis in Spinal Cord Series and Cases (2021), a study on trauma rehabilitation referrals in Clinical Rehabilitation (2017), and a national survey on venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in Foot and Ankle Surgery (2012). He has also explored rare clinical presentations, including spinal tuberculosis in the British Journal of Neurosurgery (2012) and anterior thigh compartment syndrome for European Spine Journal (2012). In addition, Dr. Dahab has investigated the involvement of junior doctors in randomised controlled trials and assessed infection control practices in orthopaedic surgery.

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Dr Dahab has had prominent management experience and leadership roles in specialised healthcare services. Notably, Dr Dahab serves as Lead for regional Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) services and he also leads the regional Intrathecal Baclofen service, delivering specialist care to patients experiencing complex spasticity. Dr Dahab held the position of Director of the NCA LED Programme, indicating a proven ability to direct and oversee large-scale initiatives.