LOCATION:

Level 5, Room 5402, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU

Biography

I pursued my passion for research alongside my clinical practice whilst I completed my PhD in Healthcare Human Factors and Ergonomics from Loughborough University in 2020. I have a clinical background in acute, community, and mental healthcare. My latest NHS role was that of the Learning from Death and Suicide Reduction Lead, where I implemented Human Factors theory to reduce self-harm. Here, I worked with the Patient Safety team to create a Patient Safety module for undergraduate mental health nurses as well as taught Human Factors and Ergonomics as an Honorary Lecturer on the University of Leicester’s Quality and Safety in Healthcare Masters course. I am an Honorary Fellow at Loughborough University, where I am involved in teaching the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) Healthcare Learning Pathway. I am also a member of the (CIEHF) Covid-19 silver team expert panel, which provides clinical expertise on crises resulting from the pandemic.

I am a Research Fellow for the RESPOND study (Rescue for Emergency Patients Observed to uNdergo acute Deterioration). RESPOND is aiming to enhance the recognition, response, and recovery from deterioration following emergency abdominal surgery. My role here is to design, apply, and evaluate Human Factors and Ergonomics Systems interventions.

The ways in which healthcare staff recognise and respond to deterioration plays a vital role in the patients care journey and overall outcomes, making this research very important. 

I am looking at care processes and factors which are interrelated with deteriorating patients. I am combining my NHS experience in acute and time critical care environments (Operating Theatres and the Emergency Department) with a Human Factors Systems approach, to enable a better understanding of the complex yet simultaneous interactions between patients, staff, and relatives with varying technologies, processes, and environments. This research will provide an enhanced understanding of system complexities which will enable earlier detection and safer responses to deteriorating patients in the future.

My interest lies in enhancing emergency response, this is evident through my clinical career and my research. I believe Human Factors and Ergonomics is pertinent in optimising responses, particularly when combined with clinical experience and changes suggested from the front line, by people who carry out the work.