Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have a background in applied health research? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities? 

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Research Fellow to work in the School of Healthcare on an exciting and novel health services research study funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services & Delivery Research programme. 

The Project 

Evidence shows there are large numbers of safety issues on acute mental health wards, frequently involving violence and self-harm, associated with increased costs, physical and psychological harm. Safety data is currently only collected retrospectively and very little is collected from the service user perspective. This study aims to co-design with service users and staff a technological intervention that collects data about the perception of safety from service users, in order to support staff to anticipate and avoid developing incidents. The project has three phases and uses different methods during each phase. Phase 1 uses a co-design approach to developing the intervention, supported by an ‘environmental scan’ consisting of a scoping review and the collection and qualitative analysis of interview data. Phase 2 will test and refine the intervention, examine available NHS data, and conduct further qualitative interviews. Phase 3 will be a mixed-methods process evaluation. A focused ethnography will explore how staff communicate and use safety data supported by interviews with service users and staff to further understand feasibility and acceptability. We will simultaneously collect routine data including incidents, NHS mental health safety thermometer, workforce and ward occupancy. Measures of safety culture and ward atmosphere will be completed pre and post intervention. The synthesis of these data will assess the impact of the intervention on outcome measures; enhanced understanding of feasibility and acceptability and result in a draft trial protocol. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Kathryn Berzins 
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 1436, email: k.m.berzins@leeds.ac.uk  

Further Information

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. The School of Healthcare holds the Silver award.  We are committed to being an inclusive school that values all staff, and we are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees.

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute:  School of Healthcare
Section:  Institute of Adult, Child and Mental Health Nursing
Category:  Academic
Grade:  Grade 7
Salary:  £33,797 to £40,322 p.a. pro rata  
A maximum salary of £36,914 p.a can be offered due to funding restrictions.
Working Time:  40% full time equivalent
Post Type:  Part Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (6 months 01 January 2020 - 30 June 2020)    
Closing Date:  Monday 21 October 2019    
Downloads:  Candidate Brief