Dr Andrew Finney, Reader in Nursing Research and newly appointed School Research Director at Keele University, and Professor Sarah Ryan, Professor Rheumatology Nursing at MPFT have both been awarded the title of NIHR Senior Research Leader as part of an NIHR nursing research leadership programme. In addition to this, Dr Gary Lamph, Reader in Mental Health Nursing at Keele University has been appointed to a joint role as an Honorary Consultant Nurse (Mental Health) at MPFT.
Sarah’s aspirations include the establishment of an MPFT wide clinical academic research academy (CARA). This will provide a central point of support for nurses and midwives and offer guidance in developing research skills, publishing and presenting work, writing grant applications, creating research link nurses in all specialisms, mentorship and signposting to existing research training resources.
Andrew’s aims align with Sarah’s as he feels the academy will provide nurses with a suite of options to develop greater research engagement, delivery and/or leadership if required. He also plans to establish an ‘Evidence-Based Practice Council’ for the Trust as a way of speeding up research adoption and implementation in clinical settings.
Gary's aspirations are to compliment the clinical academic offer to the Trust and colleagues by providing senior research leadership to support the growth of research capacity and interest in both mental health nurses and mental health focussed allied health professionals. His strategic aim is to enhance externality through supporting publication and dissemination of good practice outside of the Trust.
“I am delighted that Sarah, Andrew and Gary are going to be deploying their extensive knowledge of and practice in research to enable our nursing and AHP family to become more involved in research activities. There are many ways and at many different levels that clinicians can be involved in research and I am certain through the passion and dedication of Sarah, Andrew and Gary we will be able to enhance research engagement, further grow research awareness and skills and celebrate what being a university Trust is all about”
Liz Lockett, Chief Nurse and Director of Quality & Professional Leadership
“I am thrilled that Andrew, Sarah and Gary have joined the R&I team; their leadership roles will promote greater research engagement at all levels and as a university Trust further develop the organisation’s strategic aim of continuing to embed a culture of research, innovation, and evidence based practice”
Ruth Lambley-Burke, Director of Research and Innovation, MPFT
Image: Dr Andrew Finney, Professor Sarah Ryan and Dr Gary Lamph.
If you’d like to find out more about research, evaluation or innovation at MPFT, please contact the R&I team at research@mpft.nhs.uk.