Researcher name
Nesta Roberts, Bangor University

Supervisors

PhD study title
Connecting Care Plans: Improving the care and discharge of people with dementia from acute hospital care to care homes – a participatory action research study.

Summary
The study seeks to critically analyse and synthesise the evidence base regarding the information requirements of acute hospital and care home practitioners to deliver excellent care for people with dementia and their families. It aims to examine the issues surrounding dementia care and discharge care planning and the strategies employed to implement transfers by professionals in the acute hospital and care home environment.

The study seeks to critically analyse and synthesise the evidence base regarding the information requirements of acute hospital and care home practitioners to deliver excellent care for people with dementia and their families. It aims to examine the issues surrounding dementia care and discharge care planning and the strategies employed to implement transfers by professionals in the acute hospital and care home environment. I will then construct a pilot care plan document that incorporates the core elements identified in the evidence-base and empirical work to provide an effective and person-centred care planning document. This will aim to better communicate dementia patient’s needs as well as strengthen the partnership between people with dementia, their families, care homes and acute hospital professionals at a local, organisational and strategic level.

Publications

Roberts, N. & Moule, P. (2010) Chlorhexidine and Tooth-brushing as prevention strategies in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia rates. Journal of Nursing Critical Care, 16, 6: 295–302

Prizes
Alun Islwyn Giles memorial nursing scholarship. CNO Conference, All Nations Centre, Cardiff, 20th May 2013. Award given towards Doctorate study in nursing and is for RCN members in Wales, to promote the advancement of the art and science of nursing. Presented by Professor Jean White, Health Minister Mark Drakeford and Director of the RCN Tina Donnelly.

Gill Hek Scholarly Prize for achieving excellent grade and implementing evidence based care: Awarded from the University West of England, 2010


About Nesta

I completed my training in Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) gaining a First Class degree with honours at The University of the West of England, Bristol in 2010. I was eager to continue my professional development and gain experience in research and therefore applied for the Early Career RCBC fellowship.

I work for the Local Health Board as a Continuing Health Care Nurse Reviewer. As part of this role I ensure the standard of care provided to older people is reviewed and updated in accordance with local and national legislation, policies and procedures. I am directly responsible for the co-ordination and management of care home self assessments, service user reviews, final reporting, action planning and overseeing the quality of care provided. As part of this role I aim to assist the care homes in improving goals adapted from the already established clinical quality benchmarks, ensuring there are quality improvement goals for each care home. I work in partnership with care homes, nursing staff and managers to identify and assess complex events or problems, as well as addressing broader health issues such as tissue viability, nutrition, physical activity, falls prevention and preventative health care within the care home. The shortfalls of dementia care are very evident to me on a daily basis therefore felt further research would be essential in improving elderly care.