Whistleblowing under spotlight at Scottish Mental Health Nursing Research Conference
The will take place at Abertay University on Wednesday 6 April.
Nurses, student nurses, allied health professionals, academics, service users, carers and all those with a stake in improving mental health care in Scotland have been invited to attend.
The conference has been funded by the Scottish Government and will explore the ways in which mental health nursing can be advanced through research and innovation.
Delegates and speakers from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and as far afield as Umeå in Sweden will attend.
Staff and students from Abertay will have a strong presence at the conference, presenting research and case studies on issues including the ways in which mental health nurses’ attitudes towards people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder can be improved, and how cognitive behavioural therapy can be used to help people cope with body dysmorphic disorder.
Student nurses’ experiences of witnessing and reporting poor practice during clinical placements will also be discussed.
The day will present an opportunity for those who work in addictions, community and inpatient care, crisis resolution, child and adolescent mental health – as well as secure and forensic services – to share their research, experiences of best-practice, and ideas for the future.
The keynote speeches will be delivered by Professor John Baker – Chair of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Leeds, and Dr Hugh Masters – Associate Chief Nursing Officer for the Scottish Government.
Speaking about hosting this year’s conference Geoff Dickens, Professor of Mental Health Nursing at Abertay University said:
“The goal for this year's Scottish Mental Health Nursing Research Conference is to provide a national forum for showcasing innovative research, practice, education, service and practice development in the field of mental health nursing care in Scotland, the rest of the UK, and internationally.
“At Abertay, we provide Scotland’s only post registration Masters level qualification in mental health nursing, and have a healthy programme of research at post-doctoral, doctoral and master’s level, with both staff and students being involved.
“At April’s conference, we’ll be presenting on topics as diverse as dementia, borderline personality disorder, whistleblowing and body dysmorphic disorder, and we’re looking forward to having some healthy debates.
“We’re also delighted to be welcoming two highly respected mental health care professionals as our keynote speakers. Professor John Baker from the University of Leeds will address the topic of pro re nata medication – an unexplored nursing intervention. Pro re nata is the term used for extra medication, and John will explore the current evidence underpinning this much relied upon nursing intervention.
“We will also be welcoming Dr Hugh Masters from the Scottish Government who will discuss the current state of the mental health nursing profession in Scotland”.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Kirsty Cameron T: 01382 308935 M: 07972172158 E: k.cameron@abertay.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
Professor John Baker was appointed Chair of Mental Health Nursing in 2015 at the University of Leeds. His research focuses on developing complex clinical and psychological interventions in mental health settings. He is particularly interested in reducing coercive interventions and issues related to patient safety.
Dr Hugh Masters has over 30 years’ experience in mental health nursing. As the Scottish Government’s Associate Chief Nursing Officer, he is one of the lead mental health policy makers for Scotland. Previous positions include Lead for Nursing Education, workforce development, mental health, learning disabilities, older people and dementia in acute general and specialist dementia care hospitals.
