Current Projects
Professor Bridget Johnston
- Nursing research and development post-doctoral projects. Funder: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Bereavement and end of life care: acute hospitals and care homes project. Funder: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Evaluating the Children's Palliative Care Team at the Royal Hospital for Children. Funder: Children's Hospices Across Scotland
- The role of nurse in multi-morbidity: developing an intervention. Funder: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Endowment Funds
- The role of nurse in multi-morbidity: developing an intervention; Funder: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Content validation for questionnaire to gather patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for polypharmacy. Funder: Digital Health and Care Institute
Dr Grigorios Kotronoulas
- The RCC4Nurses project: Improving quality of nursing care in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Funder: Pfizer
- How inclusive is treatment decision-making for people who elect to have radical treatment for prostate cancer? A scoping review and questionnaire-based study. Funder: NHS Forth Valley
- U.R.T.U.R.E. (Nurses Uniting for Resilience, Training, and Emotional Support in Cancer Care). Funder: Cancer Nursing Fund / European Oncology Nursing Society
- Establishing a core set of patient-reported outcomes and measures to enhance supportive care for people treated with targeted therapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Funder: Ipsen Pharma / EISAI / European Oncology Nursing Society
- LifeChamps: A Collective Intelligent Platform to Support Cancer Champions. Funder: European Commission
- ABC4Nurses: Development and Implementation of an Online Education Program on Advanced Breast Cancer for European Cancer Nurses. Funder: Pfizer
- Content validation for questionnaire to gather patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for polypharmacy. Funder: Digital Health and Care Institute
Dr Ashleigh Ward
- How inclusive is treatment decision-making for people who elect to have radical treatment for prostate cancer? A scoping review and questionnaire-based study. Funder: NHS Forth Valley
Dr Maria Drummond
The Embedding Technology in Care Homes (ETECH) project is a UK-wide research study looking at how care homes use digital technology in everyday care and support. The project will formally begin in July 2026. The project lead is Dr Maria Drummond, a registered nurse and nurse researcher based in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing at the University of Glasgow.
Technology is becoming a bigger part of care home life. This can include things like electronic care records, tablets and video calls, monitoring devices, digital medication systems, online training, and tools that help staff communicate with health services or families. It might also include technology that supports residents’ recreational activities and interests, such as gaming, exercise and using streaming services. Some care homes are very confident using technology, while others face challenges such as limited time, funding, internet access or training opportunities.
ETECH aims to better understand these differences and learn what helps care homes use technology well in ways that are practical, safe and person-centred. The project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and is led by the University of Glasgow, working with researchers, care home staff, sector organisations and digital partners across the UK.
Over 30 months, the project will:
- Carry out a national survey with care homes across the UK
- Visit care homes to learn about how technology is used in practice
- Explore the experiences of staff, residents and families
- Identify what supports or prevents digital development
- Co-design a practical toolkit and roadmap to support care homes with digital development
The project is based on the idea that successful digital change is about more than simply introducing new technology. It also depends on people, relationships, leadership, training, confidence, infrastructure and the everyday realities of care home life.
Throughout the project, we will work closely with care homes and stakeholders to ensure the findings are useful, realistic and grounded in the experiences of the sector.
Current Opportunities
The ETECH team are currently setting up the project, with work ongoing for the national survey. The survey will be opening in July 2026.
The team are looking for new members of the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group. If you have an interest in technology in care homes, get in touch with Maria Drummond at maria.drummond@gla.systa-s.com to discuss this.
Research Team
Dr Maria Drummond – Principal Investigator
Maria Drummond is a post-doctoral researcher and registered nurse with a background in district nursing and care homes. Maria was the Team Leader of ENRICH Scotland for five years and completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow in 2022. Her main research interest is in everything and anything to do with improving the lives of people who live and work in care homes. Maria leads the overall delivery and coordination of the ETECH project.
Professor Susan Shenkin – Co-Principal Investigator
Susan Shenkin is a clinical academic Geriatrician and Professor of Healthcare for Older People and Deputy Director of the Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC) at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on improving care and outcomes for older adults, including those living with frailty, dementia and complex health needs. Susan brings expertise in ageing research, interdisciplinary collaboration and care home research.
Professor Bridget Johnston – Co-Investigator
Bridget Johnston is Clinical Professor of Nursing and Palliative Care and Director of Research at the University of Glasgow. Her work focuses on palliative and supportive care, communication, family experiences, bereavement and improving care for people with advanced illness and those who support them.
Dr Jenni Burton – Co-Investigator
Jenni Burton is a Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Glasgow. She has expertise in ageing, frailty, rehabilitation and data quality. Jenni is passionate about improving understanding of the needs of those living and working in care homes, enhancing access to health care and support.
Professor Kathrin Cresswell – Co-Investigator
Kathrin Cresswell is Professor of Digital Innovations in Health and Care at the University of Edinburgh. Her research explores the implementation, evaluation and impact of digital technologies across health and social care systems, with a particular focus on sociotechnical approaches and digital transformation.
Dr Giulia De Togni – Co-Investigator
Giulia De Togni is a Chancellors Fellow at the University of Edinburgh specialising in risk governance and promoting responsible research and innovation for AI and robotics applications in the health and care sectors.
Janice Young – Co-Investigator
Janice Young is an experienced care home service manager for a group of Local Authority care homes and sector leader. Janice brings practice-based expertise and supports the project to remain grounded in the realities of everyday care home work and leadership.
Professor Margaret Whoriskey – Co-Investigator
Margaret Whoriskey is Head of Innovation for Care & Well Being at DHI- Scotland and has extensive experience in digital transformation across health and social care. Her work focuses on supporting innovation, implementation and collaboration across sectors to improve care and outcomes through digital approaches. Margaret brings expertise in digital strategy, policy and implementation to the ETECH project.
Dr Rosie Ashworth – Co-Investigator
Rosie Ashworth leads Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) work within ENRICH Scotland and the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (NDN). Rosie brings expertise in co-production, inclusive involvement approaches and working alongside people with lived experience, relatives and care staff.