• Dr Gail Parsons is a nurse consultant in trauma and orthopaedics at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
• The honorary professorship lasts for five years
• Dr Parsons has already delivered some specialist classes to Aston University nursing students

Aston Medical School has appointed Dr Gail Parsons as a new honorary associate professor on its nursing studies degree teaching team.

Dr Parsons is a nurse consultant in trauma and orthopaedics at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. She was the first nurse consultant at the trust and has held the position since 2006. In 2022, she was appointed as director of research and innovation at the same trust, and oversees the delivery of innovative clinical services, improved outcomes for patients and an enhanced patient experience.

It is not Dr Parsons’ first association with Aston University. She has already given special interest presentations to the University’s nursing students, and sits on the steering group for Aston Research Centre for Health and Ageing (ARCHA), which aims to understand, predict, prevent and treat age-related degeneration and disease. As an honorary associate professor, Dr Parsons will deliver a master class in trauma and orthopaedics.

Dr Parsons first qualified as a nurse in 1982 and gained the Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate in 1986. She graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MSc in health sciences and advanced nursing practice in 2000, and received a PhD, relating to the experiences of osteoarthritic patients awaiting hip and knee replacements, in 2011 from the University of the West of England.

Aston Medical School launched the Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Adult Nursing) BSc course in December 2022, and the first students began in September 2023. The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Dr Parsons joins an experienced teaching team that includes two further honorary professors, Professor Julian Barratt and Professor Rebecca Jester.

Dr Parsons said:

“I am delighted to join Aston University in my role of honorary associate professor and to work alongside a truly professional team who strive to deliver the highest standard of education to their students.

“The nursing programme is led by a highly qualified, professional team of academic nurses who have studied at doctoral level and strive to deliver the best possible academic and clinical experience to ensure our nurses are prepared to deliver the highest standard of care to future patients.

“It is an honour to join the team, sharing my knowledge and experience to ensure each student reaches their full potential. I am also looking forward to contributing to the research agenda, developing grant applications for future clinical studies, which contribute to improved patient outcomes.”

Dr Jayne Murphy, programme lead for pre-registration nursing at Aston University, said:

“Gail gave a presentation to our new first year students about her career, the importance of professionalism in nursing and how they can develop their own professional identity as they progress through their career. The students loved the session and asked us to invite Gail back again to share her specialist knowledge. Gail invited the students to shadow her in clinic and they have taken up her offer. We are really fortunate to have Gail working with us to enhance our students’ knowledge and enthusiasm for nursing.”