Professor Lesley Baillie

Current Role: please detail current role and date of appointment

I was appointed Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair of Clinical Nursing Practice in 2012, a joint post between London South Bank University, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Florence Nightingale Foundation.

Background:

I have a nursing background in acute hospital care. I have worked in healthcare education for many years, combining my university role with continuing clinical practice. I have substantial experience in supporting healthcare students at different academic levels and in working with clinical staff to support practice developments and increase research capacity and capability.

Clinical/academic interests:

I have a particular interest in quality care and dignity for older people and in improving care for people living with dementia. My publications include an edited book ‘Developing practical nursing skills’ (now in its 4^th edition), another edited book ‘Dignity in Healthcare’ and a co-authored book published in 2014: ‘Professional values in nursing’. I have published in a range of academic and professional journals, particularly on the topic of dignity in care. I am on the editorial board for Nurse Researcher.

Research interests:

My recent and current research includes: care transitions for frail older people from acute hospital wards, an evaluation of an educational initiative to improve dementia awareness in an NHS Trust, an investigation of short versus long day shifts in older people’s wards, and scoping educational needs of staff in relation to discharge of older people as the basis for educational developments. My research methodological expertise is in qualitative research, particularly multi-method case study designs. 

Motivations for mentoring:

I have benefitted from the mainly informal mentorship from other academics who have generously shared knowledge and skills, patience and time with me. I believe that the NIHR Mentorship scheme is an invaluable opportunity for PhD students to gain access to mentorship in a more planned and structured way and extend their networks. I have experience of mentoring colleagues and several Florence Nightingale Foundation scholars and I am pleased to have the opportunity to support their development and growing confidence.

My mentoring style:

I am enthusiastic and show genuine interest in my mentees’ work and research. I am good at listening, acting as a sounding board and asking questions, to prompt new perspectives. I can support mentees in working through challenges encountered and in problem solving. I support mentees in developing their networks and in considering their career pathways. I believe my style is facilitative and confidence-building.

Last three publications:

Baillie, L., Gallini, A., Corser, R., Elsworthy, G., Leeder, A., Barrand, A. (2014) Care transitions for frail, older people from acute hospital wards within an integrated healthcare system in England: a qualitative case study International Journal of Integrated Care. 14, Jan-Mar; URN:NBN:NL:UI:10-1-114776

Maxwell, E., Black, S., Baillie, L. (2015) The role of the practice educator in supporting nursing and midwifery students’ clinical practice: an appreciative inquiry. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. 5(1): 35-45.

Baillie, L., Merritt, J., Cox, J., Crichton. (2015) Confidence and expectations about caring for older people with dementia: a cross-sectional survey of student nurses. Educational Gerontology. DOI 10.1080/03601277.2015.1039445