Nexxus Scotland

Margaret Sneddon, Head of Division/Senior University Teacher, Nursing & Health Care Division, University of Glasgow

Q: So tell us about the Nursing and Health Care Division and your role there.

Nursing and Health Care at the University of Glasgow offers a strong undergraduate nursing programme taking 50-55 new students annually and in last year's National Student Survey, we were rated as the top institution for nurse education in the UK.  Students are mainly part time but we hope to expand our intake of overseas students for both taught and research degrees.  We also have a healthy postgraduate and CPD programme of education which is very flexible and reflects the specific expertise and research interests of staff.

My specific interest is lymphoedema, an incurable condition resulting in swelling, usually of one or more limbs. It may be present at birth or arise as a consequence of surgery, trauma or infection which damages the lymphatic vessels and impairs drainage. I lead the lymphoedema education programme which attracts nurses and allied health professionals from all over the UK. I also lead on lymphoedema research - an area which has huge potential in respect of diagnostics, treatment interventions and care management. 

I took up post as Head of School in August 2007 and my biggest challenge is giving the Division and the staff the attention they require, while continuing as lead for lymphoedema.

Q: Tell us about a typical day (or is there no such thing?).

Some are more predictable than others! Generally they begin about 6.30am responding to emails, planning for that day or addressing actions from the day before. I try to go to the Sport and Recreation Centre 2-3 times a week as it sets me up for the day. Then it's back for a quick caffeine fix before most staff arrive. Thereafter it depends on whether I'm having a ‘Department' day or a ‘lymphoedema day' or a mixture of both.

Lymphoedema teaching days occur when courses are running or there are what amount to research and development days for me. Some weeks I'll be teaching from 9-4.30pm for 3 or 4 days and before and after the teaching (and in breaks) I'm either seeing students individually for supervision/support or trying to keep on top of things going on in the department. Last year we appointed two new Honorary Professors, who are very active in lymphoedema research, so we try to meet for full days for research and development work.

Other days I may have several department business meetings, relating to the education programmes, research business or finance or developing new initiatives, in between which I will try to touch base with at least some members of staff. I also attend meetings in other parts of the University and externally with NHS or Health department colleagues or other Academic Heads of Nursing.

To maintain my own skills and credibility in lymphoedema I'll leave about 4.30pm to see and treat patients in a clinic for a few weeks in the year. Otherwise I'll work on until after 6pm, catching up on the dreaded emails and then miss the traffic on the way home.

Q: So what's taken up most of your time recently?

Recent staff illness has called for renegotiation of responsibility in department work to minimise the impact on students. We've also recently undergone a 3-day annual monitoring visit on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council - extremely demanding of staff time but with a very good outcome as we were graded as ‘outstanding' in terms of preparing nurses who are ‘Fit for Practice'

Having completed a research project examining the extent and impact of lymphoedema in Scotland I've been disseminating the findings, raising the profile of lymphoedema on the health agenda and exploring funding opportunities for further development.

With the expertise of the 2 Honorary Professors we've been planning a programme of clinical trials for various medical devices and treatment interventions with the aim of establishing the University as a trials centre for lymphoedema.

Q: What's on the cards for the next few months?

The 2 Honorary Professors direct the newly established International Lymphoedema Framework Project supported by the WHO. I'll lead for the Scottish Lymphoedema Framework Project, working with stakeholders, getting people on board and leading a core group to develop and implement a national plan for lymphoedema. We;ll also be planning the second International Lymphoedema Framework conference (hopefully in Glasgow!).

I also hope to secure funding for another academic post to enable further development of the lymphoedema portfolio. 

Q: What would you want to do if you weren't doing this job?

I need a challenge and like to be on a mission for something or other, so it wouldn't take me long to find another cause to champion!  I've no regrets about going into nursing - it's given me so many opportunities and I get a real buzz out of my job. However I would love time for travelling and adventures and some real physical challenges, eg  training for a marathon or climbing Kilimanjaro.

For further information contact Margaret
T: 0141 330 4051
E: m.sneddon@clinmed.gla.ac.uk