MHNRU: Mental health nursing
The MHNRU conducts research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using mental health services and their families, whilst advancing the practice of mental health nursing and building research capacity amongst the nursing workforce.
About MHNRU
Are you a nurse who wants to learn more about research? Or maybe you are a nurse who wants to try and incorporate research activity into your role in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH)? GMMH’s Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU) aims to build research capacity amongst the nursing workforce.
The MHNRU was established in 2020. We aim to conduct research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using mental health services and their families. We also aim to advance the practice of mental health nursing. The research unit is led by Dr Robert Griffiths (Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Manchester, Director MHNRU) in collaboration with Professor Karina Lovell and Professor John Keady, who are both based at the University of Manchester.
Building research capacity
Since it was established, the research unit has created several posts for clinical staff within the Trust who are interested in incorporating research activity into their roles. These opportunities have been developed to support practitioners who are interested in pursuing clinical-academic careers. We are particularly interested in advancing the research careers of mental health nurses and addressing barriers that have previously limited opportunities for this staff group to contribute to clinical research. We are also keen to support the development of Allied Health Professional colleagues who wish to pursue clinical-academic careers.
Our projects:
Get involved with MHNRU
Patient and public involvement (PPI) is central to the work of the MHNRU. We are committed to ensuring that the perspectives of service users, relatives, and carers are represented at all stages of the research process. We actively seek opportunities for people with lived experience of using mental health services to contribute to designing and conducting research.
We are also building networks with national and international researchers and institutions who share our goal of producing high quality research that improves outcomes for people using mental health services.
Building our network in the Trust and across the country
We build relationships with nursing-focussed organisations , promoting awareness and information about our activities at MHNRU.
We regularly give presentations to:
- GMMH Senior Nurses Leaders
- The R&I Conference
- International Mental Health Nurses Day Celebration Event
- Preceptorship
- Band 5/6 CPD Development Courses
- GMMH Leadership Conference for International Nurses
Providing CPD opportunities on research for everyone
We regularly hold in-person and virtual events to share our research work, and promote getting involved in research.
We also connect with a network of academics across the UK who share their research findings with us to continue to improve how we care for our service users.
Unit Director: Dr Rob Griffiths
Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, University of Manchester
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust