The RCN Foundation and the University of Salford has appointed its inaugural chair in adult social care nursing – in a move that has been described as a ‘significant milestone’ for the profession.
Dr Claire Pryor is set to take on the role, which is based at the University of Salford and seeks to raise the profile of the adult social care, on 31 July.
Dr Pryor is currently assistant professor of adult nursing at Northumbria University, specialising in frailty, social care nursing and non-medical prescribing, and was previously a nurse practitioner for older people within mental health settings.
And it aims to ‘translate research into professional practice’ to help improve nursing care and support the current and next generation of adult social care nurses.
As the inaugural chair, Dr Pryor will be based in the university’s Nursing and Midwifery Directorate in the School of Health and Society and she will work closely with the chief nurse for adult social care in England, Professor Deborah Sturdy.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Pryor said: ‘I am excited and passionate about the new role, and the significant impact the focus on adult social care will bring.
‘There is an absolute need to ensure our nurses working in social care settings are recognised, supported, and developed throughout their careers.’
She added: ‘We need to work toward recognition of social care nurses as a highly skilled, autonomous clinicians, and empower them to use specialist and advanced skills, leading and shaping high quality care across the sector.’
Dr Pryor has also previously worked as a nursing assistant in care homes and as a staff nurse in medical assessment and critical care.
Deepa Korea, RCN Foundation director, said the appointment ‘marks a significant milestone for the nursing profession and the wider social care sector’.
‘Having a dedicated chair will not only further advance the academic and practical knowledge in adult social care nursing that it so vitally needed, but also ensure that the important work of this part of the nursing workforce is highlighted,’ she added.
‘The role will also develop further the clinical expertise and leadership needed across the sector to meet the complex needs of those accessing social care.’
Professor Margaret Rowe, pro-vice chancellor and dean of the School of Health and Society at University of Salford added: ‘Working in close partnership with the RCN Foundation, the chair role will drive changes to adult social care across the UK in terms of education, professional practice and research.
‘We are very happy that Claire will be joining us, and we look forward to the benefits her role will no doubt bring to our students as we continue to develop and educate the next generation of nurses in adult social care.’
