Sheryl Mitchell

Senior Research Nurse, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Email: sheryl.mitchell@nuth.nhs.uk

Deputy Secretary of the RCN Northern Region RCN Research Society

Background

I qualified as a registered nurse in 1987 and have gained a variety of clinical experience and nursing knowledge predominantly within the musculoskeletal field, having worked in private and NHS healthcare settings as well as in Europe. My working experience in Paris enabled me to reflect on health care practice within another culture, while mastering the French language. Since returning to England I have completed the BSc (Hons) International Health Studies degree and have developed a career in Research and Audit.

Current role

I work as a Senior Research Nurse at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, and am currently responsible for the co-ordination of the ‘United Kingdom Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome Registry’.  This is a multicentre project with 30 centres taking part across the UK, and over 650 patients enrolled with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. The ultimate aim of the project is to facilitate high quality clinical and academic research as well as clinical trials of Sjogren’s syndrome. Part of my role has also involved the initiation of a support group for people with Sjogren’s syndrome in the North East which has been very rewarding.

Research interests

I have played a key role in the development of guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in patients diagnosed with bone or soft tissue sarcoma and falls prevention in patients with osteoarthritis. This work has been published in leading healthcare journals, and presented nationally and internationally. I am now looking to undertake a PhD, and my next project will be working on a pilot/feasibility study funded through FSF, in preparation for an NIHR fellowship application next year.