PhD Studentship: The Design of Virtual Wards and Assistive Technology in the Norfolk Coast Healthcare Setting (MINIHANEAM_U25NNHCFMH)

Primary supervisor - Prof Anne-Marie Minihane 

Background for this PhD

Enhancing the health of coastal populations is a key health policy (Sir Chris Whitty - CMO Report 2023). Virtual Wards and/or Assistive Technology are ideal for geographically dispersed patient populations that live a significant travel time from their acute hospital. They allow for earlier discharge, whilst initially staying under the care of a hospital oversight team, using remote medical monitoring technology and subsequently the use of Assistive Technology for ongoing safety monitoring. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) has an award-winning VW team.

Research Methods

This PhD project will be delivered in two stages: 

Stage 1: Establish the current NHS practice through: (1) a systematic review of the available literature, and (2) engagement with local patients and current users of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals virtual ward service and / or Norfolk County Councils Assistive Technology service, for patients discharged to central Norfolk vs North Norfolk Coast, to gain insights into their experience and outcomes. This will include, mixed methods comparative analyses approaches. 

Stage 2: The successful candidate would then be expected to work with local health and / or county council teams to develop and pilot an expansion of services to further enhance health of the coastal population - such as the consideration of virtual ward as a ‘mechanism’ to provide patients with support for behaviour change, e.g. eating behaviour support to mitigate malnutrition which is currently a highly prevalent problem in hospital patients. 

Training: The successful applicant will join a vibrant team with wide experience in both NHS service evaluation and developing behavioural change interventions, using mixed methods. They will gain experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, systematic reviewing, intervention co-production, implementation and evaluation. In addition, they will receive training in additional research and professional skills and encouraged to attend and present at conferences. 

Entry requirements

This project will suit applicants with a primary or MSc degree in Behavioural Science, Public Health, Nutrition, or other relevant disciplines, or equivalent professional or research experience in Health Service Delivery Research. The successful applicant should be well organised, have well developed inter-personal skills and enjoy teamwork. Experience and knowledge of qualitative methodologies and/or intervention development will be an asset, although training will be provided. UK driving licence holder as key components of the project will be delivered at various NHS sites on the North Norfolk coast, and therefore delivery of the project would not be compatible within existing public transport links.

Start date: 1 February 2025

Mode of study: Full-time

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This 3-year PhD project is jointly funded by the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity and the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UEA. Funding includes Home fees, an annual stipend of £19,237, and travel expenses.

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