Advancing nursing research for better patient-centred care

As a globally recognised leader in research, the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care drives innovation across nursing, midwifery, palliative care, rehabilitation, and allied health disciplines. Its work spans applied, multidisciplinary, and patient-centred research, making a real-world impact on health and care practices. 

The faculty is divided into four research divisions: Care for Long Term Conditions, Digital Health and Applied Technology Assessment, Methodologies, and the Cicely Saunders Institute.

From improving early diagnosis in underrepresented groups to designing digital tools for self-care, our researchers are helping to create a more inclusive, innovative and compassionate future for health and care.

This blog highlights a few of the groundbreaking research projects led by the Faculty’s staff, across different career levels, who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. These projects demonstrate the breadth and impact of nursing research at King’s, all unified by a commitment to improving patient-centred care.

Enhancing the detection of chronic vascular insufficiency in darker skin tones 

Every year, around 56,000 adults in the UK develop venous leg ulcers due to poor circulation. But early signs of these ulcers – changes in skin texture and tone – often go unnoticed in individuals with darker skin.

Victoria Clemmett, Lecturer in Digital Health and Applied Technology Assessment, is tackling the early identification of Chronic Vascular Insufficiency in these patients.

Funded by the General Nursing Council, Clemmett’s project seeks to define clearer assessment criteria to enhance detection. By conducting 36 semi-structured online interviews, she is mapping patient journeys to highlight gaps in current diagnostic processes.

Her findings will inform the redesign of patient-centred care models, ensuring more equitable healthcare outcomes for all.

Supporting parents of children with Sickle Cell Disease

Dr Jane Chudleigh, Senior Lecturer at the Cicely Saunders Institute, is focused on supporting parents of children diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic condition in the UK.

Early treatment is essential, yet stigma, fear, and systemic healthcare inequalities often prevent parents from seeking care for their children. Many families face barriers in accepting an SCD diagnosis and accessing the necessary support.

With funding from the British Academy, Dr Chudleigh’s study employs a patient-centred framework to explore the psychosocial and cultural barriers parents face. Through in-depth interviews with parents and healthcare professionals, followed by focus groups to co-design new strategies, her research aims to develop more effective, compassionate, and inclusive support systems for families navigating an SCD diagnosis.

Empowering patients with a digital assistant for diabetes care

Kirsty Winkley-Bryant, Reader in Care in Long-Term Conditions, is leading another innovative co-design project aimed at improving the experience of people with Type 2 diabetes who begin insulin treatment in hospital.

For many, adjusting to insulin therapy in a hospital setting can be overwhelming, with patients often struggling to understand their treatment and manage their care effectively. Funded by the Burdett Nursing Trust, this research seeks to bridge that gap by developing a digital assistant designed to provide real-time guidance and support.

Through interviews with patients who have recently started insulin treatment, as well as the nurses who support them, Kirsty is uncovering key challenges and insights. These findings will shape the co-design of the digital assistant, ensuring it is intuitive, accessible, and genuinely helpful for both patients and healthcare providers.

By integrating technology into patient-centred care, this project aims to empower individuals with diabetes, improve self-management, and enhance overall health outcomes.

Unpacking nurse staffing decisions through research

Decisions about nurse staffing levels are essential to ensuring patient safety and quality care, yet how these decisions are made remains a complex issue. Professor Dame Anne Marie Rafferty CBE is investigating the role of professional judgement in these crucial staffing choices.

As a Co-Investigator on a Royal College of Nursing-funded study in collaboration with Cardiff University, Bangor University, and King’s College London, Professor Dame Rafferty is leading an ethnographic examination of nurse staffing systems in hospitals across England and Wales.

The study seeks to understand how nurses use professional judgement alongside workforce management tools and patient safety data when determining staffing levels. Through eight three-month case studies involving direct observations and interviews with key stakeholders, the research will provide critical insights into the decision-making process.

By exploring these complexities, the study has the potential to inform policies that better support nurses, improve workforce sustainability, and ultimately enhance patient care.

Shaping the future of nursing and care

These projects reflect the Faculty’s dedication to impactful, patient-centred research that drives positive change in healthcare. From addressing health inequalities to co-designing innovative digital tools and tackling workforce challenges, these researchers are shaping the future of nursing practice and policy.