North West’s first Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair appointed

Patients in Manchester are to benefit from a new Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair in Clinical Nursing Practice Research to follow the celebrated social reformer’s role reviewing and developing evidence to deliver the highest quality care to patients.

The appointment made by the Florence Nightingale Foundation in partnership with The University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will see Professor Angela Tod become the first Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair in Clinical Nursing Practice Research in the North West.

The chair is one of several prestigious appointments across the UK and follows appointments in Cardiff, Cambridge and London.
Professor Tod, currently Professor in Health Services Research at Sheffield Hallam University, has many years’ experience of clinical nursing practice and practice development. She has specialised in research to capture patient experience and evaluate the accessibility and effectiveness of health services in clinical areas including  cardiology and obesity. Her research has looked at how people experience diagnosis, treatment and recovery from conditions such as  a heart attack and lung cancer, including health inequalities and developing and evaluating health care services.

Other recent research topics include health inequalities, fuel poverty and how cold weather and cold homes impact on health. Additional evaluations are of a smoke free homes initiative, nutrition for oncology patients and the nurse's role and experience of breaking bad news.

Professor Karen Luker, Head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at The University of Manchester, said: “The Florence Nightingale Chair appointment recognises the important role nurses continue to play in developing new evidence-based techniques through research to improve the care of patients.  We are delighted to have Professor Tod on board and her wealth of experience will be a huge benefit helping to translate new treatment approaches directly into hospitals. The role will help to support innovation and improve patient care through excellent academic leadership.”

Gill Heaton, Director of Patient Services/Chief Nurse at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have jointly appointed a Chair in Clinical Nursing Practice Research in partnership with The University of Manchester School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. Supported by the Florence Nightingale Foundation, the Chair will work closely with our nursing teams at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to further enhance the quality of nursing care delivered to our patients through the application and advancement of nursing research.”

Professor Elizabeth Robb, Chief Executive of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, said: “Professor Tod’s appointment reflects our aim to support the creation of chairs in clinical nursing practice research and to work closely with academic bodies and healthcare organisations to develop evidence based practice.  This appointment adds to our network of Chairs around the country ensuring that the standards and values laid down by Florence Nightingale continue to resonate in nursing today.”

Professor Tod was principal investigator for a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit project to explore factors influencing Keeping Warm in Later Life and is currently developing research on other aspects of fuel poverty, cold weather and health, including households with children with asthma. She is part of a large five year NIHR Programme study on the Design, Development, Commissioning and Evaluation of Patient Focused Vascular Services which she will continue to work on in Manchester.

A widely published author and speaker at national and international forums, Professor Tod is also chair of the National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses Research Interest Group.

Professor Tod said she was both excited and honoured to take on the role.

Professor Tod said: “It is a huge honour to be appointed to the Florence Nightingale Chair in Clinical Nursing Practice Research. I am tremendously excited to be working in this innovative post supported by three outstanding organisations, the University of Manchester School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, the Florence Nightingale Foundation and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Throughout my career I have been committed to conducting research of applied use to patient care, nursing and health care organisations. This post offers a unique opportunity to expand on this research programme in a way that reflects the nursing priorities of patients in Manchester and the North West.” 

Ends 

Notes for editors

Professor Tod is available for interview today only.

For further information, please contact: Alison Barbuti | Media Relations Officer

Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences | The University of Manchester

Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC)

Tel: +44(0)161 275 8383 | Email: alison.barbuti@manchester.ac.uk