The Bournemouth University (BU) – University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) partnership has appointed its first Associate Professor of Nursing Practice, Dr Lindsay Welch, in a move that will strengthen the collaborative working.

Dr Welch started her new role in November and will be focusing on enabling clinicians to develop research through access to education, research awards and research infrastructure. She brings with her extensive research experience gained from working as a respiratory nurse in acute, primary and community lead settings and continues to be engaged in respiratory nursing and research.

Dr Welch joins the partnership from Health Innovation Wessex where she worked as a programme manager while also being a nurse lecturer and researcher at the University of Southampton.

Speaking about her new role, Dr Welch said: “I am passionate about developing nurses and allied healthcare professionals careers and maximising the research opportunities available through the BU UHD partnership. To have a genuine clinical academic post within the NHS is unique and a rare opportunity. It really is a dream position to have a role that allows me to work with, support and develop colleagues and ultimately improve patient outcomes and experiences and I’m really excited to get started.”

Professor Anand Pandyan, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at BU, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dr Welch to our first clinical academic appointment. This appointment marks an important milestone for the BU UHD partnership as we work improve the lives of people in Dorset and enhance the research and education provision in our organisations.”

Professor Paula Shobbrook, Chief Nursing Officer at University Hospitals Dorset said: “The expertise and underpinning knowledge Dr Welch brings will support our nursing staff to develop their clinical practice, focus on continuous improvement and excellent patient care. We are ambitious in our BU UHD partnership, and these posts help bring our joint vision to reality.”