As applications start to re-open for NIHR INSIGHT, what’s it like to take part? One Wessex-based student shares her story

What’s your day job?

I work as a specialist research midwife, based at UHD. It’s a busy role in a super small team, very much ward based and hands on. We deliver NIHR portfolio studies across women’s health and maternity specialities. We’ve currently ten studies open – everything from looking at the feasibility of a new test for the national newborn screening programme through to new approaches to helping pregnant women stop smoking. 

Have you always worked as a midwife?

No! This is actually my second career. I started off in The City, developing and setting up hedge funds. When I had my first child, I was hooked on the whole world of pregnancy and birth. In my mid-thirties I made the radical decision to do a healthcare Access Course and study for a degree. I graduated in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) in Midwifery from Bournemouth University (BU). I then worked as a midwife at UHD.

When did you become interested in research?

As a student I became interested in ways to improve patient experience and outcomes. Clinical based research allows me to take a practical approach to this. My first research role was as a Clinical Trials Assistant. Clinical research leadership isn’t just for medics – lots of healthcare professionals are interested in this area, and the NIHR-funded INSIGHT scheme recognises and celebrates this.

Studying for a masters is a big step up – how did you go about it?

I gained a place on BU’s MRes course via the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme. This fully funds university fees and provides a stipendiary to registered health and social care professionals who want to be future clinical research leaders. It helps you gain the academic skills and training needed, without incurring more student debt. The course at BU can be done full time over a year, or part time over two years. I decided to do it part time to keep up my clinical practice. 

Why did you want to go in this direction?

In my day job, I am very much delivering other people’s research. Although I really enjoy this, I wanted to work on my own project – and so the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme offered the perfect opportunity to pursue something I’m really passionate about. 

What is the project you are working on as part of your studies?

I am researching if the diagnosis time for endometriosis can be reduced. Around 1.5 million women suffer with this disease in the UK. However, diagnosis currently takes almost nine years. Women are being done a disservice as endometriosis has a massive impact on physical and mental health. The longer it takes to receive a diagnosis, the poorer quality of life can become. Early diagnosis is vital so endometriosis can be appropriately treated and managed - there is no cure. 

How are you going about this?

My project started with a systematic review of global clinical guidelines to establish gaps in knowledge and practice. Undertaking PPI (patient and public involvement) is the next step – to ensure I take into consideration views across a range of communities, including seldom-heard voices. After that I will run focus groups, asking how the diagnosis process can be improved.  

What challenges have you encountered so far?

I can talk for England! But I am not a natural writer. I am a bit in denial about the need to produce a thesis at the end of my course. However my academic and clinical supervisors Professor Edwin van Teijlingen (BU), Associate Professor Lindsay Welch (BU/UHD) and Mr Tyrone Carpenter (UHD) are helping me to break this into manageable parts. I also prefer to learn face-to-face, rather than online – luckily BU make provision for this and there’s lots of opportunities to meet up and chat things through. A special mention to Prof Carol Clark, who leads the NIHR-funded INSIGHT programme in the South West Central Region. She is brilliant. 

Where do you hope this will lead you next?

I would like to work towards a PhD. My aim is to become a Chief Investigator, able to secure funding and conduct home grown clinical research to bring more effective care into the NHS. 

Further details on NIHR-funded INSIGHT in the South West Central region

Applications Open: 2nd January – 31st March 2025 for September 2025 entry

Further details on NIHR-funded INSIGHT in the South Central region - applications will open soon, watch this space