Ann at the PCMD Graduation, with her PhD supervisors Bob Freeman and John Campbell

A Urogynaecology Specialist Nurse from Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, was recently awarded her PhD at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD) Graduation ceremony, held in Exeter.

Sister Ann Waterfield focussed her research into the pelvic floor ‘condition’ in women in the community, and how teaching GP practice nurses to instruct women in pelvic floor exercises is both practical and effective. Ann’s research is now being implemented into primary care through PenCLAHRC’s Pelvic Floor Muscle Training implementation project and she herself is also undertaking the GP practice nurse training on behalf of PenCLAHRC.

According to Bob Freeman, one of Ann’s PhD supervisors, she “deserves tremendous credit for completing a PhD whilst in a full-time clinical job, as this requires considerable effort and commitment. That should be an inspiration to us all, namely for those who 'go the extra mile', most things are achievable.”

News release issued by PenCLAHRC 30 July 2012