Research & Innovation celebrates Mental Health Nurses in Research!
On the sixth annual Mental Health Nurses Day, Research & Innovation is celebrating the essential role that mental health nurses play – both in our Trust and in our department!
Mental health nurses’ input into research improves outcomes for people using mental health services and their families. However, while mental health nurses represent the largest group working within mental health services, they are also the least likely to be involved in research. We want to change this and support mental health nurses in beginning their own research journeys at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).
Georgia Addison is a Research Nurse currently working on three research projects, including an OCD drug trial and a study looking at first episode psychosis. She also works in the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU) whilst doing her Early Career Research Pathway. She tells us about her experience as a mental health nurse in research:
“Hi there, my name is Georgia Addison. My role within the R&I is predominantly a research nurse. I deliver research on clinical studies for GMMH’s portfolio of National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) studies as well as commercial trials.
“For one day a month I am completing an Early Career Research Pathway (ECRP) course with the NIHR. Since my time studying at Kings College London, the research field is something which I have been persistently passionate about. I wished to gain experience in research to further improve my non-clinical skills and to develop my knowledge and understanding, so when I saw that the NIHR was providing a course for early career researchers, I couldn’t wait to apply!
“The ECRP course delves into various facets of research in health and social care, both regionally and nationally equipping participants with a comprehensive understanding of its drivers, policy context, and value. It highlights the crucial role of NIHR local Clinical Research Networks and emphasises the importance of involving service users and organisations in research endeavours. Moreover, it provides the necessary knowledge, intellectual abilities, and methodologies to conduct and lead research effectively, fostering the development of leadership skills and the ability to influence others for the broader impact of research.
“I had many motivations for applying for the course, but predominantly I believe nurses involved in research help patient care in a variety of ways. They have the ability to expand the boundaries of clinical practice, can contribute to the body of evidence-based practice and strive to enhance patient care and outcomes. Those who work in research can tackle significant healthcare challenges and contribute to solutions.
“Through research, nurses have the opportunity to explore social, economic and cultural factors that influence health outcomes, driving positive change at both individual and community levels. Nurses who choose to pursue a career in research contribute to medical knowledge, improve patient care, address healthcare challenges and foster their own personal growth. By working in research we have the power to make significant advancements and positively impact the health and well-being of individuals.”
Ali Dawber is Deputy Clinical Research Delivery Manager at GMMH. She is a qualified mental health nurse and has worked in clinical and research roles since qualifying. As a mental health nurse, Ali was able to help individuals in their most difficult moments. She believes that nurses working in research is a way to help everyone.
“I qualified as a mental health nurse in 2016. On qualification I worked on a female acute ward and in 2017 I moved to a community mental health nurse/care coordinator role; I have worked for several mental health trusts over the course of my career. My drive to get involved in research was born out of my time working in clinical services and a desire to make sure we are providing the best care to services users in the most supportive environment for staff.
“I have completed the Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Internship Programme which I used to identify a gap in the research in relation to discharge from community mental health teams to primary care. I secured two secondments to the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU) at GMMH, initially for one day a week as a senior research nurse, as part of a team undertaking a systematic review. Then as Deputy Director of the MHNRU working on two NIHR-funded research projects and increasing capacity of the nursing research workforce.
“I feel very strongly that nurses need to start leading research activity. They are the staff group with who have the most numerous clinical contacts with people who access our services and if you ask any nurse, they will be able to identify problems with services that need to be solved.
“Since September 2023 I have been undertaking my master’s in clinical research, which forms the backbone of my training program on the pre-doctoral fellowship (PCAF). The course aims at developing my clinical research skills so that I can submit an application for the NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship (DCAF) and undertake my own research about discharge from CMHTs. I also started a new role in Research & Innovation as the Deputy Clinical Research Delivery Manager, further expanding the capacity-building activities I undertook in the MHNRU at a department level.
“Research improves the services and treatments that we provide, and it is essential that we encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”
The Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU)
The MHNRU is one of ten specialist research units hosted at GMMH. The unit aims to build research capacity amongst the nursing workforce, advancing careers of mental health nurses and addressing barriers that have limited opportunities for nurses to get involved. creating several posts for clinical colleagues who are interested in incorporating research into their roles.
The MHNRU conducts research into a diverse range of mental health-related topics. Recent projects have focused on:
- investigating alternatives to restrictive practices for children who self-harm in mental health inpatient settings;
- developing innovative psychological interventions that can be delivered by care co-ordinators in early intervention in psychosis services; and
- using link workers to improve oral health outcomes amongst people using secondary mental healthcare.
As well as conducting and delivering research, the MHNRU team is well known for hosting engaging events, most recently a webinar about the latest update to the Lester UK resource by Dr David Shiers, Dr Benjamin Perry and MHNRU Lead Rob Griffiths.
Mental Health Nurses’ Day is on Wednesday 21 February 2024, and you can post on social media using the hashtag #MHNursesDay.
You might also be interested in the NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Incubator as well as the NHS’ Chief Nursing Officer for England’s strategic plan for research.
You can find the MHNRU on twitter at @MHNRU_ or email them at mhnru@gmmh.nhs.uk. If you’re interested in incorporating research into your career at GMMH, don’t hesitate to contact us.
