Previously I worked for four years in various roles in Tanzania, Israel, Egypt, Holland, Spain, India and Thailand. Some of the situations and people I met in this period inspired my interest in the world and informed decisions that I would make later in my life. I completed a degree in Geography and Psychology (specialising in social constructions of health, epidemiology and development) before going on to study an MSc in Health Promotion, Research and Policy Change and an MRes in Health and Well-being (focusing on interdisiplinary research and complexity science). Person or patient-centred support has been my focus and is at the centre of my working practice. My experience falls into the following categories:
Digital health and Personal Health Records
I am interested in systems functioning optimally for the people and patients who are going to use them and will be affected by them. I’m currently researching the ‘Impact Electronic Patient Health Records could have on patients.’
Working with potentially vulnerable client groups and patients within health and legal systems
I have worked with high-risk domestic abuse victims in healthcare settings (Emergency Departments and General Practice). The role involved risk-assessing, safety planning, multi-agency working and using the MARAC and the criminal and civil law systems to ensure that the victim received the highest levels of support possible. I have specialised in working with clients who came into contact with services unexpectedly and often were in pre-contemplative mindsets towards the service provision. The clients were often experiencing high levels of sustained trauma. I have also worked with people with problematic drug and alcohol use, sex workers, young people, diverse communities and pre-diabetic patients in preventative healthcare.
Presentations
Andy Gibson and Sarah Blake ‘Public Involvement in Digital Health.’ Presentation at the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (ARC) National Digital Health/ Applied Health Informatics meeting (6/ 09/2019)
Qualifications
MRes in Health and Well-being (distinction), The University of Bristol, 2021
MSc: Health Promotion, Research and Policy Change, John Moores University, 2005.
BA Hons: Geography (2:1), University of Manchester, 2002.
Systems thinking and Practice, The Open University, 2018
Post Graduate Certificate in the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse, University of Worcester, 2009.
Social Return On Investment (SROI), Social Value UK, 2020
City and Guilds (level 2) Supporting the needs of vulnerable people
Safelives IDVA, ISVA, YPVA and stalking training
Intermediate counselling course, Person-centred and CBT, 2004
Splitz perpetrator group facilitator, 2017
Freedom programme facilitator, 2008
Ehealth, University of Twenty, 2017
Introduction to good clinical practice in primary care, the National Institute for Health Research, 2012
Public and patient involvement, Bristol Royal Infirmary, 2012
Introduction to Access, University of Bristol, 2012
Building research partnerships workshop, 2017
Diploma: developing learning, teaching/ training practice, Liverpool 2006
TEFL, teaching English as a foreign language certificate, 2007
PADI divemaster, 1998
Short Courses
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, IRIS delivery programme, HIV/ sexual health, children and young people, Male victims of domestic abuse, Child protection level 2, Safeguarding vulnerable adults, Working with travellers and asylum seekers, Sexual abuse and drug use, drugs and safer behaviour, Nonviolent crisis intervention, Alcohol awareness, Welfare benefits and housing benefits, Brief interventions: principles, concepts and techniques, Harassment and anti-social behaviour, Understanding personality disorder, Working with people of self-harm, Supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women who have experienced sexual violence, Bloodborne viruses, Motivational interviewing.