Research champion and home ventilation champions posts -

My name is Hannah Clifton, and I am a Physiotherapist specialising in breathing pattern disorders and upper airway dysfunction at St George’s Hospital in London. Alongside my clinical role, I am completing an NIHR-funded Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship as I work towards a PhD. My research focuses on health literacy in chronic respiratory conditions, and in one of my recent publications, I discuss the importance of considering health literacy in COPD care to improve patient outcomes. I presented this work at the European Respiratory Society Conference in Vienna, gaining valuable experience in research dissemination. This built on my previous national conference presentations and has provided me with experience that I would bring to supporting the ACPRC conference. In addition, I have experience peer-reviewing articles for publication, equipping me with the critical appraisal skills needed to lead the abstract submission and selection process.

I am passionate about creating opportunities for Physiotherapists to engage in research at every stage of their careers, particularly those in clinical roles who may face barriers to getting started. Having experienced the challenges of balancing clinical work with research, I know how important guidance and support can be. If appointed as Research Champion, I will work to make research more accessible to ACPRC members by running a pre-conference workshop for first-time abstract submitters, as well as establishing a mentoring system to pair members seeking guidance with those willing to share their experience and expertise. I hope this will encourage more respiratory Physiotherapists to engage with research and strengthen the voice of our profession.

I have been the team lead for Critical Care and Surgery at a District General Hospital since February 2023 and have recently transitioned into a clinical specialist role in critical care. Working in a DGH, the opportunities to actively participate in research are sometimes limited which is something I'd love to see change over coming years.

My interest in research began early in my career as a band 5, when I was introduced to the opportunities available for clinicians to engage in research. In my previous trust, I completed the Associate Principal Investigator (API) Scheme with NIHR, which gave me first-hand experience of delivering research under the guidance of an experienced PI. More recently, the research modules as part of my MSc have strengthened both my quantitative and qualitative research skills, and I have enjoyed sharing these insights with colleagues through journal clubs and team discussions. I am just starting my final year of the programme, which is primarily my dissertation, where I will be able to put some of the skills I have learnt into practice and share these with a pre-reg student on a longitudinal placement.

I see the role of research champion as an exciting next step, both to broaden my own experience and to support others in developing their confidence and skills in this area. I am particularly keen to raise the profile of research within clinical teams, especially in smaller hospitals without an affiliated university, ensuring it feels accessible and relevant to clinical practice. I would also relish the opportunity to contribute to the ACPRC committee throughout the term and play an active role in delivering the conference in 2027.

Hello everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read my application. I am really excited by the opportunity to support the ACPRC as Research Champion and would be really grateful for your vote!

I am a senior lead physio in critical care based in Birmingham. My interest in research started on a junior rotation, when a simple clinical discussion led to an audit of early rehabilitation practice in critical care burns patients, which I then presented at a national conference! That incredible (and, at the time, slightly terrifying) experience was my first step into research and I have since gone on to complete my Masters in Research, present at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. I am currently in the final year of my PhD and hope to secure a post-doctoral fellowship. I frequently support colleagues with audit and service evaluation and would love to support ACPRC members too. Whether it be a friendly email for advice or organising training and events, I would be happy to help! I am passionate about improving patient care through audit, service evaluation and research and celebrating the amazing work of physios across respiratory care.

Whether you are a clinician looking to take your first steps into audit, preparing your first conference abstract, or you are a budding academic looking for funding opportunities, I would be delighted to support your research ambitions. If successful I would love to hear from you and look forward to meeting you at conference. Thank you. 

Hi, I’m Dani and I have been a specialist in respiratory physiotherapy for 17 years. My exposure to research started with audit, service evaluation and poster presentations. Developing these skills and using quality improvement methods, has helped with the innovation of a specialist tracheostomy role in my trust and my contribution to a publication about its impact. I have nearly (!) completed a master’s in advanced practice, which has further developed my research knowledge, gaining skills in literature searching and critiquing, leading to changes in local practice. More recently I have navigated the research ethics process for my dissertation, involving a qualitative study on exploring patient experience. This gradual exposure to research has shown me how important the link is between clinical and academic fields and that you don’t need a PhD to use research in your day-to-day work! Establishing a new clinical role alongside studying means I am organised and motivated which will benefit me if I were successful.

I would never have thought I would be applying for a research champion role back in my early career; however this opportunity and utilising research in my clinical role, has made me want to understand how to support others in using research in their day-to-day practice. If I were successful, I am looking forward to engaging with ACPRC members to understand what needs are out there and support development of research activities to increase confidence, to improve practice, contribute to wider learning for all and benefit patient care.

Experience

I qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2008 and made the jump to long term ventilation in 2013. My experience includes working in Newcastle, Lancashire and currently as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist within the LTV Service at Aintree, leading on tracheostomy ventilation and complex weaning. I have extensive knowledge of acute NIV as well as critical care This requires

integrated working with critical care and respiratory medicine colleagues regionally and nationally. I engage in the education of the LTV workforce, including ACPRC sessions.

Extra-curricular activities include Physiotherapy co-chair of HMV-UK, co-managing the Specialist in Long-term Ventilation at Home social media accounts, faculty for BTS Short Course on Acute and Long-Term Ventilation and member of BTS Critical Care, Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation SAG.

Skills

Through the activities above, I would bring several skills to the post, most significantly collaboration. I have made significant links to the LTV physiotherapy population across the UK, as well as the wider MDT, which will enhance organisation of CPD sessions. My interpersonal skills and organisation can only contribute further to ensure the best from this post.

Development

This role provides an ability to highlight the work of the LTV Physiotherapy population. Opportunities for development include an LTV Physiotherapy network and cross age group working (currently there are no joint paediatric/adult LTV conferences). As this is currently a guest post, a clear focus point would be to show the worth to membership and the committee as to why this should be an on-going champion.

I am a home ventilation advanced clinical practitioner. I bring eight years of dedicated experience in home ventilation with a specialist knowledge and keen interest in managing patients with a wide range of respiratory conditions as well as neuromuscular conditions. I am a physiotherapist by background however graduated three years ago after completing my Advanced Clinical Practitioner Masters. Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in both non-invasive and invasive ventilation modalities, as well as adjunctive therapies such as cough augmentation techniques and mouthpiece ventilation. Additionally, I have gained valuable experience in palliative care settings, including supporting patients through ventilation withdrawal processes with sensitivity and multidisciplinary collaboration. This comprehensive clinical background equips me to contribute meaningfully to the ACPRC.

If appointed as the Home Ventilation Guest Speaker within ACPRC, I would bring a combination of clinical expertise, strong communication skills, and a passion for advancing patient centred care. My experience working directly with patients requiring home ventilation has provided me with practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in this field, from patient assessment and ventilator management to education and troubleshooting.

To develop the role, I would focus on creating targeted educational resources such as short courses and webinars that address common topics within Home Ventilation and cough augmentation services. I would also aim to collaborate with existing respiratory and physiotherapy groups to share best practices and align guidelines, promoting consistency in care across settings.

I am passionate about contributing to the committee’s mission by fostering education, collaboration, and practical solutions that improve outcomes for patients reliant on home ventilation.

My name is Shauna Sheridan, and I am a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist. Chronic respiratory failure and domiciliary ventilation are areas of respiratory physiotherapy I am deeply passionate about, and I would be honoured to represent our specialty as a Home Ventilation Champion.

I have many years of experience working in this field, notably as the MND Clinical Coordinator and Physiotherapist for the Lane Fox Ventilation Service at Guy’s and St Thomas’. In this role, I developed strong links with national MND and ventilation networks and gained extensive expertise in complex neuromuscular conditions. I have represented respiratory physiotherapy at MNDa workshops, hospice study days, and international conferences, and I am due to present at a Pompe disease workshop next month. Currently, I divide my clinical work between Lane Fox outpatients and the adult lung team at Royal Brompton.

If elected, my priority would be to listen to colleagues across the profession, ensuring your feedback shapes how we advance our knowledge, skills, and collective contributions to this specialty. I would also focus on raising the profile of domiciliary ventilation, highlighting opportunities for research, and promoting collaborative projects to improve physiotherapy-led patient care and access to specialist services.

I am particularly keen to expand education and training, ensuring multidisciplinary teams are represented. With my established links across networks, I would work hard to design and deliver an engaging webinar session. The opportunity to organise the first ACPRC study day dedicated to domiciliary ventilation is one I would be especially excited to champion.

I have worked in the Leicester home ventilation service since 2021 and am excited by the opportunity to apply for the role of Home Ventilation Champion. I take pride in facilitating complex care, including tracheostomy life support ventilation, within a patient’s own home, allowing patients to live their life, their way.

If elected I will look to hold regular meetings to allow members to network whilst discussing problems and interesting cases, as well as peer learning. I am passionate about service equality and will benchmark physiotherapy provision within ventilation services nationwide. This will give better understanding of variance and support business case writing, particularly regarding rapid response physiotherapy for acutely unwell patients.

I will organise regular online lunchtime meetings, which will cover a wide range of topics from a range of expert speakers, which whilst tailored towards ventilation specialists, should be of interest for members in other specialties. I am also a non-medical prescriber and will provide a forum for discussion around prescribing practice within long term ventilation whilst supporting aspiring NMPs.

Seeing patients at sports events or looking at their holiday pictures in clinic brings me great joy and it is this enthusiasm for our patient group that inspires me to develop the physiotherapy role within the ventilation community, as I know what value we can add to our patient’s lives. Regardless of the winner of the election I look forwards to the positive developments that stem from this exciting role.

I am an Advanced Physiotherapist within the North-East Assisted Ventilation service in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. I work with patients with various respiratory and neuromuscular conditions, supporting with NIV, complex secretion management and airway clearance, and high-flow oxygen therapy, most of which is delivered in the community. My main interest is in assuring good quality of life for this complex patient group. I have determined and enthusiastic ideas about the future of respiratory care, and my contribution to that.

This role of Home Ventilation Champion aligns with my clinical experience, passion for respiratory care and commitment to patient-centred practice. I bring hands-on knowledge and experience of the challenges and opportunities in this crucial area of care. I am excited to be considered for this opportunity and have lots of ideas of how I see this role developing.

I have significant interest in inter-professional networking and collaboration, and a drive to support the delivery of education for both staff and patients. I have skills and continuous involvement with service improvement, innovation, audit and research. I am a highly motivated member of the team with a passion for sharing clinical practice outcomes. I have excellent interpersonal skills and consider my ability to communicate well one of my greatest assets.

Joining the ACPRC committee is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the profession and collaborate with colleagues. I am motivated to give a voice to the patients requiring home ventilation, ensuring that fellow Physiotherapists are empowered to deliver high-quality care to this ever-growing, complex patient group.