Ruth Gibson

Ruth Simpson is Dietitian Clinical Lead for Oncology and Upper Gastrointestinal Services at Hull University Teaching Hospitals, part of Humber Health Partnership. She qualified in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Ulster, Coleraine, and has 17 years’ experience in oncology and surgical services. Before becoming clinical lead, she specialised in head and neck oncology and surgery for 10 years.

Her clinical work focuses on improving nutritional care throughout the cancer journey. She has led several Trust-wide strategies, including pathways for oral nutritional support, early nutritional support following an endoscopic cancer diagnosis, and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. In 2024, her contribution to quality improvement and innovation was recognised at the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance Excellence in Cancer Awards.

Alongside this work, Ruth has contributed abstracts to BAPEN, including a commended 2018 abstract on early nutritional intervention in upper gastrointestinal cancer. She co-authored the nutrition chapter in the 2015 Manual of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and is a member of the Nutricia Oncology Advisory Board for 2025–2026. Her professional development includes advanced communication training and a master’s-level module in enhancing therapeutic communication. She is also developing her leadership skills through further study in applied business management and a Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship. She is passionate about improving cancer care through patient-centred nutrition, from pre-diagnosis to end of life.