Background:

Lavanya is a senior policy research fellow in the safety arm of the NIHR Quality Safety and Outcomes Policy Research Unit for Health and Social Care (QSO PRU).

She currently leads the delivery of the national ‘Formative Evaluation of the Implementation of Martha’s Rule’. This is an in-depth case study across three acute trusts using primarily qualitative methods, and includes systematic review and a public awareness survey carried out in collaboration with Picker, YouGov and Care Opinion.

As a research psychologist, Lavanya has substantial research experience, particularly in patient-centred care and safety, spanning acute, community, and mental health services research. Before joining YQSR and the QSO PRU in March 2024, she primarily conducted qualitative work, for example, to understand patient and clinician experiences of harm. At London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, she led the qualitative components of the ‘Adverse Medical Incidents and Outcomes in the NHS’ study. This work aimed to understand the prevalence, patients’ perspectives and factors that influence subsequent actions, and to explore minority experiences of harm. She also contributed to the national ‘Evaluation of the Integrated care and Support Pioneers Programme’ involving large-scale surveys and qualitative research.

Lavanya completed her PhD in mental health services research at Imperial College London. The aim of the project was to examine micro and meso level processes contributing to adverse outcomes of psychotherapy using Constructivist Grounded Theory. During her time at the College, she also worked on randomised controlled trials of complex psychological interventions for adults and children with a range of mental health conditions.

Research interests

Lavanya’s primary areas of interest are in patient safety and addressing inequalities, particularly by amplifying voices through inclusive research practice. She also has interests in person-centred care and mental health interventions.

Recent publications

Thana, L., Crocker, H., Modha, S., Mulcahy, L., Hickson, F., Pope, C., Vincent, C., Hogan, H., & Peters, M. (2026). Experiences of people from minoritised groups who report healthcare-related harm in the UK: a qualitative socioecological study exploring factors contributing to unsafe care. BMJ Open Quality, 15(1) doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2025-003851

Thana, L., Crocker, H., Modha, S., Mulcahy, L., Pope, C., Vicent, C., Hogan, H., Peters, M. (2025) What do people do in the aftermath of healthcare-related harm? A qualitative study on experiences and factors influencing decision-making. BMJ Quality & Safety 2026;35:334-345.  doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2024-018214

Crocker, H., Cromwell, D.A., Modha, S., Gray, A.M., Graham, C., Thana, L., Fitzpatrick, R., Vicent, C., Hogan, H., Peters, M. (2025) Patient reported harm from NHS treatment or care, or the lack of access to care: a cross-sectional survey of general population prevalence, impact and response. BMJ Quality & Safety 2026;35:30-42 doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2024-017213

Thana, L., Wistow, G., Durand, M.A., Pacho, A., Rehackova, L., Douglas, N., Al-Haboubi, M., Mays, N. (2025). Frontline staff perspectives on multi-disciplinary team working and the effectiveness of integrated service delivery: findings from the Evaluation of the Integrated Care and Support Pioneers in England. Journal of Health Ser Res & Pol 30 (1) p36-47 doi.org/10.1177/13558196251349388

Pacho, A., Wistow, G., Mays, N., Thana, L., Rehackova, L., Douglas, N., Al-Haboubi, M., Durand, MA. (2025). The role and functions of community based multidisciplinary teams in two integrated care and support Pioneers: Perspectives from local system leaders. Journal of Health Ser Res & Pol 30(1) p25-35

Durand, MA. Thana, L., Al-Haboubi, M., Pacho, A., Rehackova, L., Wistow, G., Douglas, N., Mays, N., (2025). The views of older people on community based multi-disciplinary team caseloads and informal carers about health and care services in two Integrated Care Pioneer sites in England. Journal of Health Ser Res & Pol 30 (1) p48-57.

Rehackova, L., Durand. MA., Pacho, A., Wistow, G., Thana, L., Al-Haboubi, M., Mays, N., (2025). The impact and legacy of Covid-19 on community-based multidisciplinary teams organising integrated health and social care for older people with long-term conditions: Findings from the evaluation of the Integrated Care and Support Pioneers Journal of Health Ser Res & Pol 30(1) p58-68

Thana, L., O’Connell, L., Carne-Watson, A., Shastri, A., Saravanamuthu,…… Crawford, M.J., (2022). Barriers to the management of sexual dysfunction among people with psychosis: analysis of qualitative data from the REMEDY trial. BMC Psych doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04193-7

Douglas, N., Mays, N., Al-Haboubi, M., Manacorda, T., Thana L., Wistow, G., Durand, M.A. (2022) Observations of community-based multidisciplinary team meetings in health and social care for older people with long term conditions in England. BMC Health Services Research 22(1): 758.

Crawford M.J., Thana L., Parker J., Turner, O., Carney, A., McMurran, M., Moran, P., Weaver, T., Barrett, B., Robert, S., Claringbold, A., Bassett, P., Sanatinia, R., Spong, A. (2020). Structured Psychological Support (SPS) for people with personality disorder: Feasibility randomised controlled trial of a low-intensity intervention., BJPsych Open

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