All Staff Members | University of Cumbria

Biography

I have been a registered mental health nurse since 1999 and have specialised in Dementia care for the majority of my career, becoming and advanced practitioner in Lancashire Dementia Services Prior to commencing full time at the University of Cumbria in June 2014.

Current research interests include neurodegenerative conditions, dementia and the Essence of Humour on our Mental Health.

Qualifications and memberships

Academic and Professional Qualifications

2015 - 2016 (PgC) Academic Practice (D2), University of Cumbria

2012 - 2013, (PG Cert MSc) Conflict and Violence Minimization Course, University of Central Lancashire

2009 - 2011, (MSc) Advanced Nurse Practice, University of Central Lancashire

2005 - 2006, Graduate Certificate (BSc) an Integrated Approach to the Teaching and Management of Violence and Aggression, University of Central Lancashire

1999 - 2000, Certificate (Diploma) Personal Development Course, Solihull College

1999 - 2000, D32/33 NVQ Assessing and Teaching Qualification, Oxford and Cambridge RSA Examinations

1996 - 1999, (BSc) Mental Health Nursing, Coventry University

Current Professional Affiliations

1999 - 2020 NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse (Revalidation due February 2020)

2016 - 2020 NMC Teacher Registration

1996 - 2020 Member of the Royal College of Nursing

2006 - 2020 Member of European Network for Training in the Management of Aggression (ENTMA)

2014 - 2020 Member of the Institute of Conflict Management (MICM)

2014 - 2020 Dementia Friends Champion (Alzheimer’s Society)

2015 - 2020 Member of the Mental Health Nurse Academics UK Network (MHNAUK)

2018 - 2020 Member of Higher Education Dementia Network (HEDN)

2019 - 2020 Member World Health Organisation Dementia Knowledge Exchange Peer Review (WHO DKE)

2016 - 2020 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

2015 - 2020 Editorial Board Member Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology (International)

Other Relevant Experience

Dementia Champion with Alzheimer’s Society working towards developing the Dementia Friends Programme, and raising awareness through developing the university towards a Dementia Friendly Community.

Co-Organiser for Festival of Mental Health 2 day event at the University of Cumbria (Lancaster Campus) (October 2018).

Organiser for Festival of Mental Health Summer Spectacular (three plays on three Consecutive Fridays) University of Cumbria (Lancaster Campus) (July 2019).

Co-Organiser for Festival of Mental Health 2 day event at the University of Cumbria (Lancaster Campus) (October 2019).

Academic and research interests

Main Subject/Interest Areas

Dementia

Mental Health Nursing Pre Registration

Mental Health & Dementia Studies Post Reg and MSc.

Communication and Interpersonal Relationships

Humour

Nursing Older People

Conflict Resolution

Solution Focused Therapy

Contemporary Interventions in Mental Health Nursing

Acuity and Dependency Measures and Safe Staffing in Hospital Settings

Reducing Dementia Related Aggression

Research supervision

MSc Level supervison for students in health and social topics especially Mental Health and Dementia

Publications

Recent Related Public Output

McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2019). 'Humour is a valuable element of a nurse's skillset' Nursing Times Online. (15^th April 2019) Available at: https://www.nursingtimes.net/opinion/practice-comment/humour-is-a-valuable-element-of-a-nurses-skillset/7028595.article
Van de Rakt, J. and Mccarthy-Grunwald, S. (2019). Swallowing and the attitude of the neck/body. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, April Vol. (8) No, (17). pp. 1745-1783.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2019) Diagonals (Part10) Dementia 2. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, February, Vol. (8), No, (3), pp. 1694 – 1730.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2019) Diagonals (Part9) Dementia 1. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, January, Vol. (6), No, (2), pp. 1253 – 1294.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2018). Possible treatment for ‘Pisa – Syndrome’ in Parkinson’s Disease: A case report. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, November, Vol. (7), No, (2), pp. 1522 – 1545.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2018) Diagonals (Part8) Stroke 6. Analysis of walking pattern and treatment, Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, January, Vol. (6), No, (2), pp. 1191 – 1239.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2018) Treatment possibilities of “contractures” by neurological diseases. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, September Vol. (7), No, (1), pp. 1450 – 1478.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2018) Diagonals (Part7) Stroke 5 Walking: What say the scientist and what is best practice, Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, January, Vol. (5), No, (2), pp. 1013 – 1062.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2017) Diagonals (Part6) Standing up and the static reaction, Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, November, Vol. (4), No, (1), pp. 921 – 983.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2017) Diagonals (Part5) Stroke 3 Pathology; How can we develop the diagonals so each individual achieves optimal recovery following a stroke. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Jan, Vol. (4), No, (1), pp. 746 – 788.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2017) How evident are the guidelines for Stroke 2014? Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Jan, Vol. (4), No, (1), pp. 670 – 680.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2016) Diagonals (Part4) – Stroke 2
Transfers in bed and the chain rules. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Nov, Vol. (3), No, (1), pp. 616 – 669.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2016) Diagonals (Part3) – Pathology
The Stroke patient: How we can train the diagonals to create a better result. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Jun, Vol. (3), No, (1), pp. 576 – 615.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2016) The beginning of ‘striker foot’ (Pes equinus varus) with severe stroke patients. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Mar, Vol. (3), No, (1), pp. 476 – 496.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2015) Diagonals (Part2), Assessment and Trunk Rules. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Apr, Vol. (2), No, (3), pp. 262 – 298.
Van de Rakt, J. and McCarthy-Grunwald, S. (2015) Diagonals (Part1) Introduction. Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology, Jan, Vol. (2), No, (3), pp. 146 – 169.

Presentations

The Humour Paradox in Dementia. 25^thInternational Mental Health Nursing Research Conference, RCN HQ, London, 12^th - 13^th September 2019
Dementia Stories: Narratives for communication in practice. Dementia Symposium, University of Cumbria, Lancaster 29^th April 2019.
Positive Language and Communication in Mental Health, Research in Specialist and Elderly Care (RESEC) Event, Lancaster University, Lancaster, 25^th September 2018
Flashback Reminiscence in Dementia Defying Dementia Conference, Lancaster University, Lancaster, 22^nd September 2018
Why so serious? How can humour enhance therapeutic relationships in mental health? 24^thInternational Mental Health Nursing Research Conference, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester 13^th - 14^th September 2018
Dementia Stories: Narratives for communication in practice. Dementia Symposium, University of Cumbria, Lancaster 30^th April 2018.
Getting Staffing Right for People with Dementia, International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, ExCel London, 26^th – 28^th April 2017
Using Authenticity in Dementia Friends Sessions, Learning and Teaching Festival, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, 30^th June 2016
Getting Staffing Right for People with Dementia, Inter University Conflict Studies Research Development Group, Macron Stadium, Bolton. 10^th September 2015
Getting Staffing Right for People with Dementia, RCN Older Peoples Nursing Conference, Holiday Inn, Birmingham. 25th March 2014
Getting Staffing Right for People with Dementia, RCN NPNR Conference, Warwick University, Coventry 5th - 6th September 2013
Acuity and Dependency Scale Poster Presentation, Staffing Levels & Skills Mix Conference, Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester. 2^nd July 2013

Newspapers and Social Media

News and Star in Carlisle/North Cumbria: Grin and Tonic: Laughter Linked to Mental Health (12-09-18)

Lancashire Evening Post Laughing: a real feel good tonic (11-09-18)

Lancashire Evening Post: Mental Health on Agenda at University (12-10-18)

BBC News Online: University highlights mental health issues at 'festival'. 24-09-18)

Lancaster Guardian: Melvyn Bragg Offers Support (27-09-18)

Lancaster Guardian: Uni to Celebrate Mental Health (04-10-18)

Cumbria Crack: Festival of mental health receives backing from Lord Bragg (24-09-18)

YouTube: World Mental Health Day and Festival of Mental Health at the University of Cumbria. (10-10-18)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6ZS6jkRWY&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDmFbMVhMGQ

Radio

Interview on BBC Radio Lancashire Breakfast (The Value of Humour in Healthcare) (11/09/18)

Interview on Heart Radio (Lancs) (The Value of Humour in Healthcare) 12/09/18 (Pre-Recorded)

Interview on BBC Radio Lancashire Morning Show (Festival of Mental Health Summer Spectacular) (04/07/19)

Television

Interview on ITV Borders News (Humour in Healthcare & Festival of Mental Health) (26-09-18)

Recent external roles

External Roles/Service (last 5 years)

Member of European Network for Training in the Management of Aggression (ENTMA)

Member of the Institute of Conflict Management (MICM)

Dementia Friends Champion (Alzheimer’s Society)

Member of the Mental Health Nurse Academics UK (MHNAUK) Network

Member of the Health Education Dementia Network (HEDN) UK

Editorial Board Member Italian Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Posturology (International)

External Examiner Roles

2018 – 2022 Buckinghamshire New University BSc^(Hons) Pre-Registration Mental Health Nursing