Health at Coventry University - Issue 5

issue 5 2010

at Coventry University

Inside Conference updates, new facilities and research profiles

Positive

influence

New Chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Ann Green, reveals her plans for the organisation

Boosting careers

Progress with new training opportunities see p8

Victim support

Understanding victims with a trip to Auschwitz see p10

Welcome We have another packed issue of Health at Coventry University for you to enjoy.

You can read about two exciting facilities that we officially opened in the last few months. Dame Joan Bakewell opened our innovative Health, Design and Technology Institute, and we also unveiled our new facility for paramedic and ODP students. We have previously featured news about the arrival of our ambulance, but we have now fully restored it and enthusiastic students are using it in their practical skills classes.

You can also read about the work that is being done outside of the University by our physiotherapy colleagues. Associate Head of Physiotherapy and Dietetics Ann Green talks about her role as the chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Senior Lecturer Lesley McBride reveals what it’s like working with the England under 20s rugby team.

Elsewhere we continue themes from previous issues such as the new developments in service user involvement and CPD, and we return to our progress in internationalisation with an article about the international student experience.

The international focus continues with a moving piece on a visit to Auschwitz that some of our lecturers and students made as part of the Victims and Victimology module in Criminology.

Finally, I’d like to invite you to our forthcoming Healthy Debates. We’ve lined up some exceptional speakers to take part in the series, where audience participation will be actively encouraged. I look forward to seeing you at the debates.

Dr Andy Bridges PhD CPsychol CSci AFBPsS Associate Dean Faculty of Health & Life Sciences

2 Health Issue 5 2010

What’s inside 3 Healthy Debates

Find out about a new healthy lecture series

4 Health News

The latest developments in health at Coventry

6 Overseas learning

Improving the experience for international students

8 Healthy ideas boost careers

Three new opportunities for progressing your career

10 Understanding victims

How a trip to Auschwitz helped Criminology students

12 England’s rose

Physiotherapy for England’s U20s rugby team

13 Improving drinking water

How ultrasound is controlling algae in China

14 Positive influence

The new chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Ann Green, reveals her plans

16 Noticeboard

The latest seminars and events you can attend

CONTACT US If you would like to find out more about any of the articles featured in this issue or about applied research or to subscribe to future issues of Health, please contact: Gail Williams, Marketing Admissions and Recruitment Manager, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Telephone: + 44 (0) 24 7679 5983 Email: gail.williams@coventry.ac.uk

Website: www.coventry.ac.uk/health Credits: Managing Editor: Gail Williams Edited & designed by: Elliott House Communications Printed by: Emmersons This publication is available in other formats on request. Please contact Marketing and Communications on +44 (0) 24 7688 8352

health news

Healthy debates A new lecture series featuring leading figures from the health and social sector begins this summer

T

he major issues affecting health and social care in today’s society will be debated in a new lecture series that is free to attend.

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences will host the visiting speakers during June and July this year in a series called Healthy Debates at Coventry.

Influential contributors from the health and social care sector will be taking part, such as Medical Director of the NHS Professor Sir Bruce Keogh and Chair of the NHS Confederation Professor Bryan Stoten.

Each session will include a keynote

Dr Malcolm Fisk

Professor Bryan Stoten

Dr Mike Short

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh

“Prestigious speakers will cover topics on a range of issues that are at the heart of delivering health and social care in today’s society” presentation by the visiting speaker, which will be followed by a facilitated discussion with the audience to

Speaker timetable 15 June

Speaker: Dr Malcolm Fisk; Chairman Telecare Services Association Topic: Care or Custody? The Impact of Telecare and TeleHealth Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry

22 June

Speaker: Professor Bryan Stoten; Chair of NHS Confederation, Chair of NHS Warwickshire; CEO of Public Management Associates Topic: From Good to Great; What will they do to the NHS next?

Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry

29 June

Speaker: Dr. Mike Short; Vice President Telefonica Europe, O2 Topic: The International Health Service; The Power of Mobility and Broadband Location: Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry

6 July

Speaker: Professor Sir Bruce Keogh; Medical Director NHS Topic: Focusing on Quality and Innovation in the NHS Location: Goldstein Lecture Theatre, Alan Berry Building, University Square, Coventry

explore the themes that have been introduced.

Launching the series, Associate Dean in Health & Life Sciences Dr. Andy Bridges said: “The Faculty is honoured to be hosting these prestigious speakers. The topics cover a range of issues that are at the heart of delivering health and social care in today’s society. The series also reflects the important part that Coventry University plays in educating the future workforce and contributing to research in these sectors.”

There are four sessions available so far, which are free to attend. All sessions run from 1pm until 2pm and places can be booked online at www. eventsforce.net/healthydebates.

Places are limited and because the debates are expected to be popular it is advised to book your seats early to avoid any disappointment.

For more information visit www. coventry.ac.uk/hls and keep up to date with us on Twitter at twitter/CovHLS

Issue 5 2010 Health 3

health news

Pushing the BAOT out Occupational Therapy students have been promoting the course and the occupation to people in Coventry during OT week 2009.

The students, part of the BA Occupational Therapy (BAOT) group, handed out information and explained the benefits of the profession to passers-by

from a stand in the Herbert Art Gallery.

The students gave away leaflets, USB keys, badges and pens to visitors.

Students, occupational therapists, assistants and COT representatives were on hand to talk about the subject.

Among the visitors to the stand were first year OT students looking for

guidance on their studies.

Students from other health professional courses, including nursing, also visited to broaden their knowledge of OT and learn more about working within a multi-disciplinary team.

After the success of the promotional work, BAOT are planning more events.

Realistic operations Generous donations have funded essential equipment to help train healthcare professionals A new mock operating theatre and an ambulance for students to practise on during their courses were officially unveiled in March.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Madeleine Atkins, officially opened the facilities at the Richard Crossman building in front of invited guests, representatives from the department and students.

Representatives from the Coventry and District Charitable Trust were able to see first-hand how the money they had donated has been spent.

Nina Godson, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Skills from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: “We are grateful to the Coventry and District Charitable Trust for their generous donation. It is important that our students have the best equipment to work with and the money the Trust gave us has been spent on purchasing an industry standard light for the operating theatre.”

The ambulance has been kitted 4 Health Issue 5 2010

Real: (above) the new facilities (above left) Paramedic students Chris Salt and Jack Kilminster (left) the official opening

out for use by paramedic students and it is believed that Coventry is the first University to have its own fully functional ambulance in the classroom.

Paramedic students Chris Salt and Jack Kilminster said the ambulance was a real bonus to their course.

“Having more of an insight into what

“It is important that our students have the best equipment to work with” will happen when you’re on a job and practising in a closed environment before being let out in the public does help. It’s a great asset to the students and the University,” said Jack.

health news

Joan Bakewell opens HDTI Dame Joan Bakewell, the Government’s ‘Voice of Older People’, has officially opened the new £4.5 million HDTI building.

Dame Joan, who opened the building in front of over 100 guests at the University’s Technology Park, spoke about the increasing importance of supporting Britain’s ageing population – and how the University’s HDTI was taking a significant lead in this area.

HDTI works with businesses, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and users to develop products and services to improve the lives of the ageing population, people with disabilities, and chronic illnesses.

“There is no doubt that as a population we are living longer – and it’s probable that the person is already born who will live to be 150,” said Dame Joan. “Medicine, hygiene and social care increase our chances of totting up the years. But longevity for its own sake is not the appropriate objective.

“What HDTI is doing will widen the debate, broaden provision and provide a regular monitor of how well society is serving its old people.”

HDTI is one of the UK’s leading

Open: (l-r) Dame Joan Bakewell with the Vice Chancellor at the official opening of the building

centres for developing ‘assistive technologies’ such as walking aids and wheelchairs, building and vehicle adaptations, consumer health products and healthcare technology.

The new building, funded by a capital investment from Advantage West Midlands, includes a mockup area where companies can test prototypes, a usability suite where new products can be evaluated by users, seminar rooms, a design studio, workshop and rentable office space for healthcare businesses.

Lord Stafford award winner The Health Design and Technology Institute (HDTI) won the Entrepreneurial Spirit award at the Lord Stafford Awards 2009.

The awards celebrate the links between universities and the private sector and highlight the best in partnership working and innovation.

HDTI won for its work with company Stretching

By Design to develop the LARA – a device designed to ease spasticity and severe tightening of the thigh muscles; a common symptom of multiple sclerosis. Its inventor Dave Collins was diagnosed with the condition 20 years ago.

The University’s Intellectual Property Business Development Manager Dr Brian More won the Knowledge Transfer Champion for helping more than 350 firms access support at the University.

Case study

Midwifery Out of 35,305 registered midwives in the UK, approximately only 132 are men. Third year BSc Midwifery student Scott Butler explains why he chose this career path “I started out as an engineer but decided it was not the right career for me. My mother, who is a careers advisor, suggested I should be a nurse as she thought I had all the necessary qualities. I was sceptical at first but after researching the courses I warmed to the idea and joined Coventry University in September 2004 on the Adult Nursing BSc. I visited a maternity ward and knew at once this was exactly what I wanted to do. I love the work – caring for pregnant women is such a special relationship and you need very different skills to the ones needed

“the positive reactions have outweighed the negative” for looking after a person who is ill.

I have heard all possible responses to being a male midwife, but the positive reactions have outweighed the negative.

Other men considering midwifery should not worry that some people think it a strange career choice. In my experience pregnant women want the right person for the job regardless of their gender. They need someone who is caring and listens and they want to feel safe with the midwife.”

Issue 5 2010 Health 5

Feature

Overseas learning As part of the Faculty’s plan to double its number of international students, Helen Poole, Associate Head of Department (Social and Community Studies), attended a conference to get advice on how to do it

T

he rising trend towards ‘local globalisation’ is threatening international student recruitment. Rather than travelling long distances, students are choosing universities closer to home – such as Chinese students picking institutions in Japan.

UK universities will therefore need to address the way they market their institutions to ensure they are attractive to an international audience. And because word of mouth recommendations have a major influence on the choices those students make, the services and approach universities offer to them once they arrive also has to be right.

These issues were just some of those discussed at the second annual conference of the UK International Student Experience in February. The event brought together academics, students and other interested parties from across the world to listen to presentations from the British Council, the UK Borders Agency, the 1994 Group, David Lammy MP and senior education leaders.

As part of the University’s internationalisation strategy (as introduced in the A World of Good article in Health issue 3), the Health and Life Sciences Faculty (HLS) is exploring new ways of 6 Health Issue 5 2010

encouraging international students.

The major theme of the conference aimed to resolve how to maintain the rise in international student numbers in the context of the tightening visa restrictions and the increase in global competition.

Presentations and discussions focused on good practice in support of overseas students and it was an opportunity for institutions to share expertise.

Employment prospects were a major consideration for attracting international

students to study in the UK – something that Coventry is focused on through its Add+Vantage scheme modules as well as its placement and internship options.

Universities also needed to pay attention to their online presence, as most potential students visit a university website as a result of a search engine. The content on the website is also important as many international students rely on them for

Konst her huantina with sband

Student viewpoint Konstantina Chanou from Trikala in Greece studied for a Masters in Physiotherapy in 2007 and says it was a positive experience The course was really different from what I do in my country and Coventry University was a great experience.

It was the first time I had lived in the UK but everyone was very helpful because I was from overseas. I got a house straight away and student ambassadors showed me around the University and the city, which was really helpful and I didn’t feel unsafe at all.

I could have taken an English language course if I had wanted but I was able to communicate quite easily so I choose not to do this. I used the Centre for Academic Writing a lot – I went to them with all my course work because I wanted to write more as an English person and not as a Greek student.

I loved the library – it was a really huge building with a large variety of

Global students: Coventry is focused on ensuring its international students have a positive experience

information (rather than contacting the institution), and will look elsewhere if the required details are not easily available.

Social networking sites are becoming a favoured form of communication to email and 70% of international students expect universities to be on those sites.

HLS is now on Twitter, for example, and regularly announces course news and open days to its followers. When Criminology started a Facebook fan page, it had accumulated over 100 fans within a few days.

It was widely agreed that positive discrimination was counter-productive for international students who would

“Universities should be treating all students, both domestic and international, as global students” rather regard themselves as part of a learning community. One University had even disbanded its international office in favour of integrating such services with those offered to ‘mainstream’ students. The increasing emphasis on internationalising the learning experience reinforced the message that universities should be treating all students, both domestic and international, as ‘global students.’ For example, careers services should have an international focus for all students, and study support should integrate English language support. All things that Coventry is already offering its students.

materials and you could access the facilities at all times.

My Masters was theoretical, which helped open my mind and enabled me to think about the theory behind the practice. This has helped me to understand why I am doing certain things in my job.

I now run my own private practice in Greece and am juggling this with being a mum to my five-month old son Anthony and also studying for a PhD into the effects of whole body vibration exercise on the human body. I would have liked to do a PhD in the UK if the circumstances were different.

Particular provisions that were noted as positively affecting the international student experience included good prearrival and pre-departure information, managing students’ expectations, picking students up from the airport and formally welcoming them, information sessions on the host establishment and its surroundings, orientation programmes and mentoring new students. Mentoring and other post-orientation programmes were considered particularly valuable in the student’s success and quality of their experience. Such schemes have been particularly successful when embedded in course programmes.

Finally, academic contact is highly regarded by international students, and can significantly impact on their experience. As the popularity in blended and online learning programmes grows, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

HLS is on course to double its number of international students by 2013 and is continuing to improve the way it serves its overseas students.

For more information about being an international student at Coventry visit www.coventry.ac.uk/international

Issue 4 2010 Health 7

Feature

Healthy ideas boost careers Three new developments in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences offer more opportunities for healthcare professionals

Opportunity 1 User involvement Get a better understanding of service users with their involvement in the pre-registration Mental Health Nursing course Q Why involve service users?

A Using individuals who have experience of mental health problems has enhanced the students learning experience on the Mental Health Nursing course. However, it was recognised that a more consistent approach would be beneficial to the students’ learning experience and also give people the opportunity to share their personal experiences related to mental ill health, improve confidence and aid recovery.

Q How did you involve users?

A In partnership with Coventry MIND, service users have been asked how they would like to share their experiences and enhance the Mental Health Nursing course.

To ensure the University was not perceived as intimidating, and to ease any anxieties, service users were invited to an induction day to show them around the campus, given an induction pack and a two-day presentation skills workshop to ensure they were adequately prepared for the classroom.

8 Health Issue 5 2010

“In teaching sessions they have talked about their personal experiences.”

Q How have service users helped?

A They have contrbuted to teaching sessions, open days and supported mental health awareness days. In teaching sessions they have talked about their personal experiences. The students and users have given positive feedback on this experience.

Q Have you shared this success?

A In November 2009 Dawn Collins

from Coventry MIND, service user Debbie Haw and Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing Yvette Brown presented the project’s achievements at Authenticity to Action – Involving Service Users and Carers in Higher Education conference.

Debbie Haw sadly passed away in March 2010. She was very active as a service user and contributed positively to a number of activities for the mental health team. She will be missed.

Opportunity 2 A new degree course Help improve the nation’s health with the new degree in Exercise, Nutrition and Health Q Why the new course?

A As the number of people with diseases and disorders associated with physical inactivity and poor nutrition continues to grow so too do the number of jobs in the areas of exercise, physical activity and nutrition. A healthy lifestyle can prevent the development of many diseases and would potentially save the NHS billions of pounds.

Q What does the course teach?

A Students will be taught the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes needed to improve the health of individuals, groups and communities using exercise, physical activity and nutrition. Students will learn the fundamentals of exercise and nutrition and how they relate to health and disease. The course will ensure students can apply this knowledge in a health promotion setting so they will learn about the UK public health system, the strategies in place to promote health and how to monitor and evaluate them.

Q Who should be interested?

A The health and fitness industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy. As well as growth in the private sector, the Government is employing individuals directly, or via the private sector, to deliver public health and activity targets. Degreelevel knowledge of the subject area will be beneficial to individuals entering this competitive job market. The course will offer health and fitness industry qualifications and relevant work experience.

Assessments will mimic real life scenarios.

Opportunity 3 New training workshops Improve skills in helping patients to self manage their health with new motivational training workshops Q Why the new workshops?

A Despite efforts in patient education, patient behaviours can be resistant to change. Reasons for this include a patient’s mixed feelings about the costs and benefits of changing. Or the person may struggle to develop concrete plans to put theory into action.

Q What are the workshops?

A The training develops knowledge and skills in the psychology of motivation, enhancing self-efficacy, goal-setting and problem-solving.

It is suitable for anyone who sets behaviour change goals for patients, for example in areas such as health promotion and primary prevention, smoking cessation, physical activity and diet.

Motivational interviewing is a patientcentred, directive approach to communication that offers techniques to enhance patients’ intrinsic motivation for healthy behaviour change.

Q Any accreditations?

A The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) is an independent public register which recognises the qualifications and expertise of health enhancing exercise instructors in the UK. Students will cover some of the material needed for these

Training formats range from one-day introductory or refresher workshops on campus, to bespoke training days tailored to the needs of individual healthcare organisations, and delivered at a chosen venue.

Q Why is the training important?

A The value of motivational interviewing is increasingly recognised in policy documents.

To implement these policies, health professionals need a range of competencies that engage patients in health behaviour change. These include helping patients to develop accurate knowledge about the health consequences of their behaviours, enhancing patients’ belief in their ability to change, and exploring reasons for patients’ non compliance with treatment plans or recommendations.

For further information contact: Carol Percy on +44 (0) 24 7688 8223 or email c.percy@coventry.ac.uk

qualifications and will be able to complete the assessments to gain the full qualifications at a reduced cost compared with external courses.

A 2+2 option is also available in conjunction with Henley College where students can enrol on the HND Sport, Exercise and Health course.

Issue 5 2010 Health 9

“The first tears began as we stepped off the coach.

Catching your first glimpse of the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign at the entrance to Auschwitz is not a moment that you will forget�

Photos courtesy of Martin Jones

More about the course

10 Health Issue 5 2010

Students on the BA (Hons) Criminology course study a range of issues relating to crime, punishment, deviance and social control. Modules on the course include: Controlling Crime; Policing and Forensic Studies; Victims and Victimology, and Forensic Mental Health.

Graduates often go on to careers within the Police, Probation and Prison Service.

feature

Understanding

victims

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of a Criminology field trip was a life changing experience explains Tim Turner

M

y first visit to Auschwitz was in 1994. I was a student staying with a friend in Krakow. She told me that I had to go. I asked her about her own experience there, but she didn’t say very much. When I emerged from the train and walked through the gates I understood. There are no words to describe the experience of walking amongst a million lost souls. The experience was life changing and I was left with a sense that this was a place that everyone should see. Auschwitz though, is more than a visual experience. You feel the weight of failed humanity as you walk the neat rows of concrete blocks.

Sixteen years later as module leader on a level two Criminology module – Victims and Victimology – I decided to repeat the experience with students.

For the last two years students have visited the National Holocaust Centre in Nottinghamshire where they heard very emotional first hand testimony from Auschwitz survivors. I realised visiting Auschwitz would only enhance the work on Hate Crime and Genocide that students were exploring in the module.

Twenty of us made the four-day trip.

As the bond cemented between the group the social value of the experience was clear to see. Some real friendships were formed in those few days. We took a convoy of golf-buggies to Kazimierz; drank vodka in dark cellar bars; went inside Schindler’s factory and quietly took photographs of poignant sculptures. I deliberately left Auschwitz-Birkenau until

Life-changing: Tim Turner (centre back) with the twenty students on their poignant visit to Auschwitz as part of the Victims and Victimology module in Criminology

the last day.

The first tears began as we stepped off the coach. Catching your first glimpse of the infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign at the entrance to Auschwitz is not a moment that you will forget. Our Polish guide, Peter, led our solemn, hushed group through the experience with expertise and sensitivity. The exhibits are staggeringly emotional. Piles of human hair, some still tied in ribbon, a leather mountain of shoes, glasses, suitcases with names and addresses hastily scrawled by terrified owners. And the children … teddy bears that they’d loved and cuddled; shoes that they’d played in; dresses torn and darned with a mother’s love. Many of us turn away in a heady mixture of guilt, disgust, anger, sorrow and shame. From there we walk to the gas chamber, and it feels like no place on earth. The scratch marks on the

walls overwhelm some of us and we sob.

Birkenau only compounds the emotional resonance of Auschwitz.

The sheer scale of the place is incomprehensible, like a hundred football pitches knitted together. A desolate patchwork of prisoner huts is sliced down the middle by the iconic railway line. We stand by the platform and can only imagine this hell 60 years ago. The sun dropped low into a clear, red winter sky as we looked over the remains of the two crematoria, where the lives of people like you and me were snuffed out on a production line.

We returned to our minibus as the sun dipped behind the trees by the collapsed crematoria. The end of a day that I knew had changed each one of us.

For more information visit www. coventry.ac.uk/hls

Issue 5 2010 Health 11

profile

England’s Rose Senior lecturer Lesley McBride is also physiotherapist to the England under 20s rugby team and reveals how she mixes education with ice baths

W

hen I tell people I am physiotherapist to the England U20 rugby squad, the most common response I get is – ‘I

would like that job!’

I have just completed another successful Six Nations campaign in which we came equal top with Ireland in the table (they beat us on points difference though). I am part of a management team which includes a team manager, two coaches, a strength and conditioning coach, a sports psychologist, an analyst and a doctor and our objective for this season was ‘to create a team environment in which to develop future winning England International players.’

From last year’s cohort Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes both were capped for the England Senior team this year.

Our campaign started with a home match versus Wales which we played at Gloucester rugby club and which we won convincingly: England 41, Wales 14. This was a tough week as it was exam week for one of the modules I lead at the University. I had to split my time

students in their practical vivas and mark their essays.

The following week we travelled to Venice in Italy where we were able to continue our winning streak: Italy 10, England 16. I am now fluent in Italian if you want me to ask for ice – not for your gin and tonic but for treating injuries!

Another home match followed and we lost to Ireland 10 to their 25.

“My main role within this team is to contribute to the well being of the players in the physiological, psychological and lifestyle domains” between standing pitch side watching training, treating the players’ injuries, taking pool rehab and ensuring they stayed in the ice baths for the requisite length of time post training and being at the University to examine second year 12 Health Issue 5 2010

Fortunately we went on to win our final two matches comfortably, the first one in Glasgow (Scotland six, England 27) and the final match in St Nazaire (France 33, England 47). This was followed by a fantastic celebration.

We travel to Argentina this summer for the IRB Junior World Championship and in our pool we play Argentina, Ireland and France. Stiff opposition but an opportunity to go one better than the previous two years. Last year in Tokyo we lost to New Zealand in the final, having beaten Japan, Scotland, Australia, and South Africa.

The previous year we also lost to New Zealand in the final – our nemesis!

My main role is to contribute to the well being of the players physiologically and psychologically. I assess and treat them when they are injured, screen them and set them individual prehab programmes to keep them fit and healthy, advise and coordinate warm up and cool down activities pre and post training and matches, take pool rehab sessions, and liaise with their club physiotherapists to ensure a smooth club/country transition for these young and exciting future stars of the international scene.

profile

PhD student Xiaoge Wu’s groundbreaking research into the use of ultrasound to control algae blooms has the potential to improve drinking water in China and around the world

“My ultrasound project

is improving

drinking water

in China”

L

Lake Taihu in China is the main water resource for a number of cities including Shanghai, providing fresh water to the homes of over 30 million people. The Lake has battled with a blue green algae bloom problem for over 10 years but in 2007 the country experienced record temperatures that caused the algae to increase dramatically. This released toxins into the water, making it poisonous to drink.

While chemicals are currently being used to clean Lake Taihu, they are expensive and pollute the environment, so research is being carried out both

Harvesting algae

o work ing wi th Th e Ca rbo n Trust is als Dr Eadaoin s, die my direct or of stu rac ting oil ext te iga est Joyce, to inv fos sil fue ls. Bo th from alg ae to replace M aso n thi nk it sor fes Dr Joyce and Pro ld ha rvest some wo uld be gre at if we cou La ke Taihu to on of the alg ae gro wi ng . ext rac t the oil

in China and the UK to investigate alternative ways to reduce the algae on lakes and reservoirs. Algae blooms are a problem all over the world – even in the UK – and for developing countries the effects can be much worse.

Over the last three years I have investigated the ways ultrasound could stop algae growing. Using chemicals can cause health problems however something clean like high frequency sound energy is a much better option.

I chose to do my research at Coventry because the University is a world leader in sonochemistry and when I was younger I heard about Professor Tim Mason and read his book about ultrasound. I know ultrasound will have a very good future in solving environmental issues, which is an area in which I want to work. Using sound above the frequency which can be heard by humans (ultrasound) we should be able to either kill it or certainly to control it.

We are working with small and medium scale algae suspensions (about one litre), using ultrasonic equipment to test different frequencies and intensities

(Above) Lake Taihu, October 2009 (top) ‘Prof T Mason, Dr E Joyce, Xiaoge (Cathy) Wu at Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2009, London

to see which levels injure the algae cells.

We are about to move on to 100 litres scale using natural algae bloom samples from the local area.

This small laboratory scale work is not the same as working on a large lake, where you have to be able to treat greater volumes of polluted water.

However the University’s Sonochemistry centre has established a good relationship with Southeast University in China. Our partners there are trying to reduce the algae on Lake Taihu. They have built a boat, which drives around emitting ultrasound, and we have been over to China to discuss ways we can link our research together.

If by working together we can cure the problems at Lake Taihu, where it is hot and there is lots of algae, we can cure the problem anywhere in the world.

Ultrasound has a very good future for water treatment and I would like to continue my work in this area.

For more information about Sonochemistry at Coventry visit www.coventry.ac.uk/sonochemistry

Issue 5 2010 Health 13

profile

As the new Chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Coventry’s Associate Head of Physiotherapy and Dietetics Ann Green will play a key role in influencing the future of the physiotherapy profession

Positive influence Q A

Why did you want to be Chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)?

I have been involved with the CSP since I started my first physiotherapy job over 30 years ago.

I’ve been involved in many networks and groups within the society but had never stood for election to Council – the governing body of the Society. I was chairing the learning and development committee and would often be frustrated that I couldn’t influence the final decision because Council was responsible for this. Two years ago I stood for election and was elected to sit on one of the two education seats.

I then thought about becoming Vice Chair but an opportunity for the Chair came up last year and I was elected unopposed in October 2009.

Q A

What are your plans as the new Chair of the CSP? I am hoping to make the professional body more accessible to the membership by using new communication technologies – for example, I’m starting a Blog called Life in the Chair. I’m also having Open Days at the headquarters in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales so people can find out

14 Health Issue 5 2010

more about the CSP. The main challenge will be supporting physiotherapists in their working lives in these difficult economic times.

However in the face of these adverse conditions there are also opportunities for the profession as services are transformed, as health care diversifies and as scope of practice develops.

I have always been well informed about education and research but now I am making a greater effort to find out more about the Trade Union side of the organisation. In autumn I will be going to the party political conferences and will lobby around health and physiotherapy.

Q A

Will the role benefit Coventry University?

Being Chair is good for networking and in the build up to the General Election I met with health ministers from the main political parties to talk about health policy and how physiotherapists contribute to healthcare in the public and

“We work hard to give students the best support we can. The attitude you show towards students is very important”

private sector. I also attend meetings at the House of Commons and get early sight of important documents and health briefings, which I circulate to University colleagues if they are nonconfidential.

I also lobby on behalf of the profession, such as on issues like the recently reported reduction in NHS commissioned places in physiotherapy and allied health professions. Together with a successful lobbying campaign by the Allied Health Professions Forum it resulted in a rethink by the Department of Health.

Q A

How did your career begin?

I started working in Shropshire as a junior Physiotherapist, rotated around all the specialities and then specialised in Muscular Skeletal Physiotherapy.

I became a student teacher in 1985 because I saw education as an opportunity to get involved in the profession as it develops. I moved to Coventry in 1991 because I wanted to work in a polytechnic and this University was one of the few higher education institutions that delivered a degree programme.

I started as an Associate Lecturer, was promoted to Principal Lecturer to look at curriculum and assessment and then became Associate Head of Physiotherapy and Dietetics in 2002.

Q A

Is Coventry a good place to study Physiotherapy?

We have the largest undergraduate programme in the UK, we have some of the longest established Masters programmes and we have one of the broadest ranges of beyond registration programmes, continual

50,000 The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, education and trade union body representing nearly 50,000 physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and physiotherapy support workers across the UK.

professional development short courses and specialist modules.

Our graduates are ideally placed for specialist positions such as Consultant Therapists and Extended Scope Practitioners (ESPs).

We continue to meet the needs of the service and provide cutting edge courses and modules at postgraduate level to extend practice. Some of these modules were the first in the UK to be delivered as masters modules, like ultrasound imaging and injection therapy for neurology, and remain unique to Coventry and are market leaders.

I derive job satisfaction from our students’ progress. It is a real thrill if managers say they have employed one of our students and they are doing an excellent job or if I see something that one of our students has published.

For more information about the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy visit www.csp.org.uk or visit www. coventry.ac.uk/hls

Issue 5 2010 Health 15

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Your training may alre you in the workplace. ady be benefiting enhance your career Why not let Coventry further?

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Undergraday: Postgraduate, part-time and open CPD open days: 19 June Saturday -4pm) Saturday 19 June 20 (8.30am 10 (10am-3pm) Thursday 2 Septemb er 2010 (4pm-7pm) Saturday 4 Septemb er 2010 (10am-2pm) For further information and to register, email: gradopendays.uni@c oventry.ac.uk, visit www.coventry.ac .uk/postgraduate or call +44 (0) 24 7688 8382

Enhance skills onlinyour leadership e

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0am to 2p The Facult m y of Healt h and Life Scien managem ces offers ent positio a suite of co ns l Qualifie urses suit d social w able for all leve orkers w anting to ls of emplo obtain a yees working in relevant P he Q award. social care alth and , including : All the co urses are l Health delivered and Socia online, thro l Work/ Care Lead u a combin ership and ation of liv gh Managem e and in ent teractive materials l Practic . e Educati on Foundatio To find ou n and top t -u m p degrees a a demonst ore and see t undergra ra duate level. learning e tion of our nvironme nt used to d eliv The cours courses c er these es are ide om al for: l Those w our inform e along to ho want ation day. to enhanc e their current le PLEASE B adership OOK YOU and managem R PLACE AT: ent positio n s l Those w w ww.coven ishing to try.ac.uk/ move into healthand leadership socialcare and openday

sional ctured Profes d on the Stru se tal ba en g m in ic in ns liver your tra nsic and fore trainers will de d within fore te ed op nc ad rie y pe el Ex wid proach – now t practice.

Judgement ap k managemen ris d ai to s ng tti se th al he ent sional judgem s: ctured profes Course date ru lence – within St vio r: r fo be k m ris Septe d to assess se (u Thursday 2 0 -2 R C tember: H Friday 3 Sep judgement d on release) an ns professional tio ARA) (used to institu r: Structured be sessment (S m As te k is ep R S t ul sa As l ps) hi sa Monday 6 ou ate relations eptember: Sp rosexual intim P) (used to te SV he Tuesday 7 S (R in ol ith w oc of violence Violence Prot al xu Se . of g) appraise risk k Ris al offendin September: er than sexu Thursday 9 ls will be violence, rath al xu se r fo k levant manua determine ris day, and all re r pe , on rs T) per pe e £250 (inc VA The costs ar t provided. assessmen chosen risk ur ntact yo co of se e ea dg rmation pl fo Prior knowle in e or or m ) r uk ired – fo ventry.ac. area is requ (e.bowen@co en ). ow uk B c. a .a ntry either Dr Eric rown@cove wn (sarah.b Dr Sarah Bro

Flexible training in Occupational Testing Gain a Level A (Ability and Aptitude testing) Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing without the need to attend a week’s training course.

Study at a time and place to suit you with over three days of online blended learning.

You will only need to be at the University for two days as well as a final day spent completing the course assessment.

If you w any of ould like to fi nd th if you h e articles wit out more a b h a applied ve a general in this issue, out enquiry re s e a rc future issues h, or to sub about s of Hea lth, ple cribe to ase co Gail W ntact: ill and Re iams, Marketi cruitm n g A dm e Health and Lif nt Manager, issions Faculty e Scien of ces Teleph one: + 44 (0) 2 Email: g 4 Websit ail.williams@ 7679 5983 e c Twitter: : www.cove oventry.ac.u ntr twitter k /CovH y.ac.uk/hea LS lth

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society’s Certificate in Level A Occupational Testing.

Course dates for 2010: 13-14 September 2010 6-7 December 2010 For more information contact psychenquiry.hls@coventry.ac.uk or call Amy Clarke on +44 (0) 2476 88 8178 or Rebecca Copeland on +44 (0) 2476 88 8957.

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