Cross-University centre will support patient and public involvement in health care
16 December 2008
 |
The Centre for Wellbeing & Quality of Life will inform the national debate on improving wellbeing and health-related quality of life. |
Health professionals, local organisations, staff and students recently came together to mark the launch of the new Centre for Wellbeing & Quality of Life.
The cross-University Centre, will inform the national debate on improving wellbeing and health-related quality of life. It will examine and develop methods to promote healthy living, such as nutrition and exercise, but will concentrate on supporting vulnerable groups, such as those with long term conditions or chronic illness, to develop ways to self-manage conditions and improve their quality of life. A key direction of the Centre’s work will be to undertake research and develop educational opportunities and consultancy in promoting health and quality of life in the community.
The launch at the end of October saw the officially signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Society for Public Health which will help strengthen the work of the Centre by promoting education and development in this area.
 |
Professor Nick Petford gives a welcome speech. |
Following a welcome speech and introduction by Dr Gail Thomas, Dean of the School of Health & Social Care, and Professor Nick Petford, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), guests heard Centre Director Professor Steven Ersser explain how the Centre was already conducting relevant research illustrating this with a study those living with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, thanks to funding from the Psoriasis Association
Professor Ersser explained: “Psoriasis is one of several chronic diseases which require self-management by patients in order to ensure an enhanced quality of life. Little is known about this self-management and the key areas of patient knowledge, skills and confidence, or the interventions that may be made by health professionals to support self-management.
 |
Centre Director Professor Steven Ersser |
By addressing this gap in knowledge, GPs, nurses and health organisations can engage with those with psoriasis to explore their current self-management practices available and provide relevant support. By securing patient involvement in their care treatment effectiveness can be improved substantially” He also highlighted another project with the St John’s Institute of Dermatology in London, funded by the Guys & St.Thomas’ NHS Trust, to develop and evaluate a major education programme for parents of children with eczema in Lambeth
Deputy Director Dr Eloise Carr went on to highlight her own research programme which aims to help people manage pain more effectively, for example those who suffer from back pain.
Professor Ersser and Dr Carr went on to explain the Centre’s links with other Schools and the growing involvement of staff including Dr Heather Hartwell and Dr Ian Jones from the School of Services Management; Dr Paul Stevens from the School of Design, Engineering & Computing; Professor Barry Hough from the Business School; Catherine Symonds from the School of Conservation Sciences and Joe Flintham and Professor Barry Richards from the Media School.
 |
Dr.Ann Hemingway, Public Health Practice Development Fellow |
Presentations were also given by Dr Paul Stevens, Senior Lecturer in Psychology from the School of Design, Engineering & Computing, on his research into new ways to alleviate stress experienced by individuals by examining their relationship with the natural environment. Dr.Ann Hemingway, Public Health Practice Development Fellow, also highlighted some of the key projects she was working on including an evaluation of the government’s health living centre and Sure Start initiatives, research on health behaviour in disadvantaged and excluded groups, and a joint EU / Canadian EU commission funding programme to enable students to research rural inequalities in health and access to healthcare.
Emphasising the importance of the new Centre, Professor Ersser said: “Health promotion, wellbeing and improving quality of life have moved up the government’s agenda over the past few years, with an emphasis on prevention rather than cure to ensure the long-term viability of the NHS.
“Individual’s actions greatly affect their own health and it is recognised that further work is needed to ensure people develop healthier lifestyles and improved quality of life. Our work will see us develop programmes to address those gaps in current health and wellbeing research and work with academics, health professionals, students and other health organisations to develop ways to address those identified gaps.”
Return to news archive page
Return to news menu page
