In our first episode we explore the fundamentals of care home research, the role of ENRICH Scotland in supporting this vital work, and how you can get involved. Featuring discussions from 2023 with ENRICH Co-Chairs, Professor Susan Shenkin and Dr Emma Law, as well as Dr Jenni Burton, a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine.
Listen as we explore how care home research is improvingthe lives of people living or working in care homes and how ENRICH Scotland and RICH Voices are supporting this critical research. Find out more about ENRICH Scotland at: https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-in-scotland/facilities/enrich
Music by Anna Bryan
Edited by Denise Munro
Professor Susan Shenkin
Susan joined Emma Law as co-chair of ENRICH Scotland in2019 and they have worked together as part of the interdisciplinary team to build the infrastructure of ENRICH and to work with the Chief Scientist Office to secure funding. Susan also co-chairs the Lothian CHIP (Care Home InnovationPartnership) and is a strong advocate for working across disciplines to promote research to understand and improve the care for care home residents, their families and those who care for them. Susan has been working as a clinicalacademic in geriatric medicine at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian since 2011, with main interests in cognitive ageing/delirium & dementia, and the health and care of residents and staff of care homes, in particular therole of data and technology.
*Note that since the discussion featured on this episode, Susan has been promoted to Professor.
Dr Emma Law
As Co-Chair of ENRICH Scotland, Emma is actively involvedin decisions around how ENRICH Scotland is shaped in partnership with Professor Susan Shenkin. This is an exciting and progressive time, enabling ENRICH Scotland to engage with care homes and all those who live, work and visit them in thinking about research and how we can enhance and change practice, using the most up-to-date ideas. Emma is also the strategic manager for the NRS Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (NDN) where she works on strategies to include underserved groups in our society in research. These may include those living in remote and rural locations, marginalised communities such as LGBTQ+, or the oldest old, to name a few.
Dr Jenni Burton
Jenni is a Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine. Passionate about care of the elderly, Jenni is keen to engage with other researchers to collaborate on research projects which can help to make a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of older people.
About the hosts
Dr Rosalie Ashworth
Rosie Ashworth is the lead for RICH Voices and lead forPartners in Research, the 'patient and public involvement' groups for ENRICH Scotland and NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network respectively. As a research psychologist with a background in dementia research, Rosie has apassion for working closely with people with lived experience in research-related activities. In recent years, Rosie has worked with people living with dementia to co-write a book about their experiences, and is in theprocess of developing co-research with people living with neuroprogressive conditions.
Denise Munro
As Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Officer, I workwith RICH Voices, the PPI group for ENRICH (ENabling Research In Care Home) Scotland, and Partners in Research, the PPI group for the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. With a science communication focus, I am interested in making science more accessible, interesting and relevant to the public, and how we can use modern media to improve reach. I am particularly passionate about supporting members of the public to contribute their lived experience to research and in improving access for individuals and communities who are traditionally not included.
