Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Sharon is currently the Research Manager /Lead Research Nurse for Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust. She leads and manages a multi-disciplinary research and innovation team, that supports the running of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio studies, alongside recruiting participants and promoting research to patients and staff. Sharon consistently strives to integrate research into everyday clinical practice and her vision is that all patients have the choice and or opportunity to be involved in quality clinical research trials.

Sharon has been a practising mental health nurse since 1996 in a variety of mental health nursing posts. The roles have included being a staff nurse in acute admissions, community psychiatric nursing in dementia care and a specialist community nurse in the care of patients with schizophrenia. Since 2018 she has been Clinical Research Specialty Lead for Mental Health and was the first nurse in the region to be appointed. This is a regional role for the South West Clinical Research Network (SWCRN) and also involves engagement nationally driving clinical research agenda. She is proud to be an ambassador for the NIHR.

Jackie Kerr has is a qualified mental health nurse and has completed a BSc in Psychology. She has been practicing mental health nursing since 2002, working in a variety of roles,including acute inpatient care,  community mental health and assertive outreach. 

Jackie is currently a Senior Research Nurse for Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust. She works within a multi disciplinary research team, supporting the implementation of NIHR Portfolio studies. The team strives to integrate research into everyday practice to ensure that all patients have the opportunity to take part in quality research studies.