EDI-RU new banner

MHNRU: Mental health nursing

The MHNRU conducts research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using mental health services and their families, whilst advancing the practice of mental health nursing and building research capacity amongst the nursing workforce.

About MHNRU

A Photo of Georgia Addison, a research nurse, with quote: "Nurses who choose to pursue a career in research contribute to medical knowledge, improve patient care, address healthcare challenges and foster their own personal growth." Celebrating Mental Health Nurses Day 2024 Are you a nurse who wants to learn more about research?   Or maybe you are a nurse who wants to try and incorporate research activity into your role in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH)? GMMH’s Mental Health Nursing Research Unit (MHNRU) aims to build research capacity amongst the nursing workforce.

The MHNRU was established in 2020. We aim to conduct research that improves the health and wellbeing of people using mental health services and their families. We also aim to advance the practice of mental health nursing. The research unit is led by Dr Robert Griffiths (Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Manchester, Director MHNRU) in collaboration with Professor Karina Lovell and Professor John Keady, who are both based at the University of Manchester.

 

Building research capacity

Since it was established, the research unit has created several posts for clinical staff within the Trust who are interested in incorporating research activity into their roles. These opportunities have been developed to support practitioners who are interested in pursuing clinical-academic careers. We are particularly interested in advancing the research careers of mental health nurses and addressing barriers that have previously limited opportunities for this staff group to contribute to clinical research. We are also keen to support the development of Allied Health Professional colleagues who wish to pursue clinical-academic careers.

 

 

Our projects:

  • Mouth Matters in Mental Health

    People with severe mental illness (SMI) often have problems with their teeth and gums. They are more likely to have missing, filled, and decayed teeth than people without SMI. It can affect how patients see themselves and their mental health. The study aims to test a new intervention for supporting people with SMI to see a dentist. It involves a support worker offering support around finding and attending a dentist. We want to explore whether a link work intervention can help people to attend a dental appointment (e.g. a check-up, treatment).

    Find out more

  • PLANS study logo: Patient-Led Appointment Scheduling in NHS Talking Therapies. a graphic of a purple hand is selection the line that has

    The PLANS study

    Patient-Led Appointment Scheduling in NHS Talking Therapies

    NHS Talking Therapies services support people who have depression and anxiety, but sometimes it is difficult for some people to access them. These include people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people, and older people. Research also suggests that patients want more control over how appointments are made. Patient-led appointment scheduling is a way of arranging appointments that aims to give people more control over how they access talking therapies. This approach enables people to choose when they attend appointments and how many appointments they attend.

    Find out more

  • The CAMEO study

    Care Coordinator delivered Method of Levels Therapy to Improve Engagement and other Outcomes in Early Psychosis

    The CAMEO study examined whether care co-ordinators in Early Intervention in Psychosis Services can deliver a talking therapy called Methods of Levels (MOL). This therapy aims to help people resolve intrapersonal conflicts that are believed to maintain distress through discrete problem solving exercises in each session. There is evidence to suggest people experiencing first episode psychosis may find MOL therapy helpful, and care co-ordinators are well placed to deliver this in routine practice.

    Watch our findings animation

  • The SPARCS study

    Studying Potential Alternatives to Restrictive inpatient practices for Children who Self-Harm

    • Qualitative study to understand the experiences and preferences of children who self-harm in mental health inpatient units to develop alternatives to restrictive practises
    • Also explores parent, carers and staff views
    • Includes a systematic review of evidence-based alternatives that have been proposed

Get involved with MHNRU

Patient and public involvement (PPI) is central to the work of the MHNRU. We are committed to ensuring that the perspectives of service users, relatives, and carers are represented at all stages of the research process. We actively seek opportunities for people with lived experience of using mental health services to contribute to designing and conducting research.

We are also building networks with national and international researchers and institutions who share our goal of producing high quality research that improves outcomes for people using mental health services.

A photo of Ali Dawber, Deputy Clinical Research Delivery Manager, with quote: Building our network in the Trust and across the country 

We build relationships with nursing-focussed organisations , promoting awareness and information about our activities at MHNRU.

We regularly give presentations to:

  • GMMH Senior Nurses Leaders
  • The R&I Conference
  • International Mental Health Nurses Day Celebration Event
  • Preceptorship
  • Band 5/6 CPD Development Courses
  • GMMH Leadership Conference for International Nurses

 

 

 

Providing CPD opportunities on research for everyone

We regularly hold in-person and virtual events to share our research work, and promote getting involved in research.

We also connect with a network of academics across the UK who share their research findings with us to continue to improve how we care for our service users.
 

About MHNRU

Unit Director: Dr Rob Griffiths

Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, University of Manchester

As a patient

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support. 

Find resources for carers and service users  Contact the Trust