Under this programme of research, we are exploring the experiences of those living with long term conditions, including their experiences of health and well-being and access to services. Such groups include marginalised communities, individuals living with long term mental health difficulties and older people living with frailty and other long-term health issues. We work closely with local health care providers and third sector organisations to identify areas of research priorities. 

Areas of work include:

  • Developing and promoting health services to support the self-management of long-term conditions,
  • Use of wider technological, cultural, environmental and historical dimensions in promoting health and well-being in those living with long term conditions,
  • Use of technology to promote social inclusion and well-being in older people living in a range of settings,
  • Ways in which nurses can promote health and well-being in people living with long term conditions.

Ongoing projects:

  • Promoting Technology for Self-Care (ProTechS) for people who are sleeping rough, funded by the Burdett Trust. This project will co-produce a technological solution to support people sleeping rough to self-care by locating and accessing services. PI Vanessa Heaslip Co-Is Sue Green, Bibha Simkhada, Huseyin Dogan
  • Early Laser for Burn Scars (ELABS) funded by NIHR. This multi-centre randomised, controlled trial examines the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the treatment of hypertrophic burn scars with Pulsed Dye Laser and standard care compared to standard care alone. This project is led by Salisbury District Hospital. PI Mark Brewin (Salisbury) Co-I Vanessa Heaslip, Sharon Docherty
  • What can be learnt about the effectiveness of advanced clinical practitioners who are providing clinical care to older people during the Covid-19 pandemic, funded by Health Education England. This project is in collaboration with Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust. PI Michele Board; Co-Is Janet Scammell, Dawn Morley, Kelsie Fletcher.
  • Understanding the key issues of Dementia care and services in South Asia, funded by Global Challenges Research Fund (BU). PI Edwin van Teijlingen, Co-I Michele Board
  • Development and evaluation of Dementia educational resources funded by Health Education England and Alzheimer’s Research UK. These projects evaluated the impact of staff learning resources (including virtual reality and e-learning), capturing the impact on care delivery from perspective of the staff, as well as exploring how to capture the patients’ perspective PI Michele Board Co-I Dr  Sharon Holland, Dr Dawn Morley, Dr Sue Baron, Karen Cooper

Previous projects

  • Human Henge funded by funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Wiltshire County Council and English Heritage. This project led by the Restoration Trust in which BU undertook the health evaluation. PI Tim Darvill Co-I Vanessa Heaslip
  • Dementia Education and Learning Through Simulation 2 (DEALTS2) programme. Researchers at Bournemouth University were commissioned by Health Education England (HEE) to develop the ‘Dementia Education and Learning Through Simulation 2’ (DEALTS2) programme. DEALTS2 is simulation-based dementia toolkit that’s being used nationally to support the delivery of dementia education across acute care. PI Dr Michelle Heward — Post Doctoral Research Fellow Dementia (ADRC), Co-I; Dr Michele Board, Ashley Spriggs, Professor Jane Murphy — Professor of Nutrition (ADRC)