LEWIS-MANNING AND BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY APPOINTS PHD STUDENTSHIP

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Bournemouth University have appointed a fully funded PhD Studentship. The successful candidate was the fantastic Catherine Beresford, a qualified nurse who has recently completed an MSc and has a keen interest in liver disease and end-of-life care. Cathy visited the organisation on 14th July to meet staff, key supporters and BU, as well as discussing the fascinating research ahead.

The PhD will be a qualitative study exploring end-of-life care for people with liver disease. Catherine will undertake qualitative research with supervision and receive support from the experienced researchers and clinicians from Bournemouth University and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

The interviews for the PhD studentship took place earlier this year. The interview panel comprised of Dr Linda Thompson, Trustee at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Dr Leslie Gelling, Principal Academic in Adult Nursing, and Dr Sue Baron, Senior Lecturer at BU. The panel interviewed 6 great candidates, of which 3 could have been appointed. The panel were extremely impressed with the applicants, with many of them having past experience in research, senior nursing and end of life care. Catherine was given the wonderful news that she had been selected as chosen candidate for the studentship and she happily accepted the offer.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care CEO Clare Gallie said, “We were delighted to meet Catherine at our Hospice earlier this week. She met with myself, Dr Sue Baron and Professor Anand Pandyan, the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University, as well as Trustee Tim Lee and Professor Howard Thomas, who is one of the key supporters for this PhD studentship. It was great to meet Catherine, hear about her background and the wonderful and most certainly vital study she is undertaking. We are so thrilled to have her on board to further educate ourselves and the clinical community about end-of-life and palliative care.”

Catherine added, “I am delighted to be appointed to Bournemouth Uni to undertake my PhD. I currently work as a specialist nurse and have a particular interest in palliative and end-of-life care, so I’m really excited to take this opportunity forward. It’s made even better by having the wonderful support of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Professor Howard Thomas and of course, BU. It was great to be introduced to the hospice this week and I look forward to updating the fantastic team and supporters about how my study is going as time progresses.”

Dr Sue Baron, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing said: “End of life and palliative care makes a real difference to patients and their families when they most need support, providing care and kindness during difficult times. We are thrilled that Catherine has been appointed to partake in this fantastic PhD scholarship opportunity, she was a standout candidate. The opportunity to learn and be supported directly by Lewis-Manning Hospice Care staff and advisors is invaluable. BU is thrilled to be strengthening and continuing our fantastic partnership with Lewis-Manning and look forward to increasing research and findings to improve end of life and palliative care.”

It’s with huge thanks to three very generous supporters of the hospice; Professor Howard Thomas, who is a key supporter of the charity and Emeritus Professor of Hepatology at Imperial College London and a former Chair, NICE Clinical Guideline Development Group on treatment of chronic hepatitis Band NICE and hospice Patrons Sir Simon and Lady Jill Campbell who have helped make this scholarship possible.