> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# St Giles Hospice nurses selected for national research programme
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/st-giles-hospice-nurses-selected-for-national-research-programme/
- Published: 2025-11-09T08:09:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-07T13:34:52.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Charity, Whittington, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:45, News

TWO nurses who work at a local charity have been selected for a national research programme.

Samantha Doody, clinical nurse specialist in the St Giles Hospice community team, and Ruth Abell, inpatient unit sister, are among the first cohort chosen for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) [Researcher Development Programme](https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researcher-development-programme-social-care-nurses?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) for social care nurses.

The year-long programme gives both nurses one day a week to develop their research skills, with funding provided by NIHR. They receive formal training, mentorship and access to learning materials through the University of Liverpool.

This provides St Giles Hospice with two days per week of dedicated research nursing activity – a significant boost at a time when many hospices across the country have been forced to cut research posts due to financial pressures.

Cara Bailey, professor of end-of-life care at St Giles Hospice and the University of Birmingham, said:

> “We are so proud of both Sam and Ruth. To have two nurses selected for this prestigious programme in its inaugural year is a tremendous achievement for St Giles Hospice.  
>  
> “This success means a great deal for our research ambitions and is an important step in building our research capacity.  
>  
> “It demonstrates that we’re serious about becoming a centre of excellence for hospice research and ensuring our patients benefit from the very best evidence-based care.”

Samantha’s application was so strong that assessors upgraded her from the entry-level Champions programme to the more advanced Research Internship, recognising her commitment to research and motivation to make a difference in palliative care.

She said:

> “I’m absolutely thrilled and still can’t quite believe I was upgraded. It was such a surprise, but I’m so excited to get stuck into the course and begin this journey.  
>  
> “I’m really looking forward to working with the NIHR mentors and to bringing what I learn back to benefit our patients in the community.  
>  
> “This is an incredible opportunity to make a real difference.”

Ruth said:

> “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to develop my research skills and explore how we can continue to improve care for our patients and their loved ones.  
>  
> “Research is so important in helping us understand what works best and why. I’m also really glad that Sam and I are doing this together – having that support and being able to share the experience will be invaluable.”

The success supports St Giles Hospice’s ambition to become an official university hospice, joining just four other organisations in the UK with this status.

The move would position the Whittington-based charity as a leading centre for hospice research in the West Midlands, ensuring patients across the region benefit from the latest evidence-based approaches to end-of-life care.