Salford academic shortlisted for ‘Nurse Leader of the Year’ at prestigious national awards

Melanie, who is an Associate Professor in Adult Nursing, has been recognised for her work to embed Interprofessional Education (IPE) across the University’s student curriculum. IPE sees students from different health and social care courses work together, just as they will in the workplace, to improve their teamwork, communication and understanding of each other’s roles.

Over several years, Melanie developed and led an innovative IPE project based in care homes across Greater Manchester. Learners from different professional backgrounds worked together, shared their expertise, and gained a more holistic understanding of person-centred care.

Across two studies the project involved 54 students from a range of disciplines, including Nursing (Adult, Learning Disability, and Mental Health), Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Sports Rehabilitation. These students undertook placements in the care homes, where they gained invaluable experience and developed interprofessional working skills.

A robust evaluation demonstrated that residents experienced improved quality of life, students deepened their understanding of collaborative practice, and care home staff felt inspired and valued and gained valuable evidence-based practices. Academics involved in the project also supported care staff through mentorship, helping to build capacity and ensure sustainability.

Praised by colleagues as “approachable, kind, and respectful to everyone she interacts with”, Melanie’s vision for how the project could benefit residents, students, care home staff, and fellow academics inspired the team throughout. The IPE model, which continues in the care homes involved in Greater Manchester is now being developed more widely across the UK, placing the needs of residents at the centre. It empowers them, with support from care staff, students, and academic facilitators, to set their own goals - goals that are realistic, achievable, and tailored to their individual needs.

On being shortlisted for the award, Melanie said: “I was extremely humbled and honoured to have received notice that I had been shortlisted as a finalist for this prestigious award. When Dr Lorna Chesterton and Dr Siobhan Kelly (nominators) sent me an email with the news, it reaffirmed that the work we were doing developing IPE placements in care homes was important. It also confirmed that the work which challenges embedded perceptions of working in care homes is supported by those at a national award level, creating clarity in regards to parity of esteem for those working in the care home sector.

“It has been a labour of love leading an incredible team of individuals (academics, clinical and practice education staff and care home staff). I am truly humbled to be considered alongside such accomplished individuals from the NHS in the shortlist for this category. I am also very proud of the significant impact students and staff had on the lives of the residents and I am excited to continue developing IPE placements in the sector more widely.”

The Nursing Times Awards highlight innovation, perseverance and incredible work across 25 categories covering a wide range of nursing specialities mental health to social care to children’s services.

The 2025 Nursing Times Awards will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London on Wednesday 22 October, where winners will be announced during a glittering ceremony.