35 Years of Research Success
On Tuesday 11th September, the National Nursing Research Unit (NNRU), based at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, celebrated thirty five years of research impact. The NNRU, founded in 1977, was set up to conduct independent academic inquiries into key policy questions for the Department of Health.
Professor Helen McCutcheon, Head of the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “The fact we are celebrating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the NNRU is a testament to the past and present Directors’ leadership, stamina and vision. The Unit stands as an example of what can be achieved when we work together for the common good. It is a gold standard example of how good quality research can make a significant impact on patient care.”
The NNRU continues to undertake high quality empirical research to inform policy relevant to the nursing community. Previous Unit Directors, including Professors Peter Griffiths, Fiona Ross and Jack Hayward, as well as other nursing leaders and academics from across the country, attended the event to celebrate and support the Unit’s ongoing, innovative work.
Sally Brearley, Chair of the Nursing and Care Quality Forum, and a visiting research fellow at the NNRU, said:
“I feel we need to applaud all work that has gone on, and is still going on in the Unit, but also we need to emphasise how much we want it to carry on. There is great need for such a research base focused on nursing and it is important that this research should be led by nurses.
“The issue of 12 hour shifts is a case in point. We need to know about the effects this has on the quality of patient care. There are hosts of other issues like this one where we need a sound research base for practice, if we are to maintain and improve the quality for care for our patients and the experience of staff.”
Howard Catton, Head of Policy and International at the Royal College of Nursing, gave his congratulations to the Unit on behalf of the College and said:
“The profession owes a debt for the evidence the NNRU gives and the changes it enables. With the new ministerial team in place this is a time like no other where chief nurses and policy leaders need to be supported by cutting edge research.”
The evening also provided an opportunity to launch Policy + Review, a publication which provides succinctly packaged evidence of the Unit’s inquiries over the past five years. The publication includes 35 issues reflecting research into a range of questions about policy, including correlations between staff experience and patient experience, nursing metrics and national patient experience measures.
Peter Griffiths, Professor of Health Services Research of the University of Southampton and former Director of the Unit, said:
“Given the support shown to the NNRU this evening, it is a great shame that the Department of Health’s policy research programme have decided not to re-commission a nursing workforce research programme after the end of this year. However, I am positive that the Unit is in position where its future is secure. Jill has done a fantastic job in ensuring its legacy, guaranteeing that they will push forward and carry on providing research for nursing policy and its workforce.”
Professor Jill Maben, Director of the National Nursing Research Unit, said:
“What I have really cherished during my time in the NNRU is the very able colleagues I have had the privilege of working with and the opportunity to focus upon issues that affect Nursing Care quality that I am passionate about. Working in the National Nursing Research Unit also provides a great opportunity to influence care delivery and policy at a national and international level, the goal of any nurse researcher. I would like to thank the School for supporting the Unit so that we can continue providing evidence that will shape nursing policy and have a real impact on patients, carers and the wider healthcare system.”
For more information or interview opportunities contact:
Allie Johnstone
Communications Officer
Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, King’s College London
T: 020 7848 3062
E: allie.johnstone@kcl.ac.uk