Lifetime Achievement Award for University professor

The University’s Professor Jane Seymour, who has conducted groundbreaking research in to end of life care, has been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Journal of Palliative Nursing Awards.

The awards celebrate achievement and excellence in the work of nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team in palliative care.

Professor Seymour joined the University in 2005 to establish and lead the Sue Ryder Centre for Palliative and End of Life Care Studies. In less than ten years she has developed a vibrant and lively research group. In addition, she was one of the key leaders of the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cancer Experiences Collaborative, focusing on improving care for older people.

Professor Seymour has been extremely influential in guiding end-of-life care policy development in the UK, for example by undertaking work with the former NHS End of Life Care Programme, Dying Matters, and the Commission for the Future of Hospice Care.

She has published an impressive number of books, academic and professional papers, and is widely known as a compelling conference speaker. Her leadership and achievements in palliative nursing are world-class.

Professor Seymour said: “I was greatly honoured to be given this award and accepted it on behalf of all the wonderful colleagues and students with whom I have worked over the years to try to improve palliative care and bring it to wider public and professional understanding.

“The University has been a fantastically supportive environment in which to develop Sue Ryder Care Centre, and I am deeply grateful for that support and for the generosity of the charitable family trust that has supported our work since 2005.”

University Council member appointed a Dame

Asha Khemka, the principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College and member of Council at the University has been appointed as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).

Dame Asha is the first Indian-born woman for 83 years to be awarded the DBE, which was in recognition of her services to education.

Dame Asha said: “I am rarely lost for words, yet I am finding it difficult to express how proud and honoured I feel. I have never set out to achieve titles and, as deeply humbling as this is, I will continue with exactly the same ambition and passion as I’ve always had. I will strive every day to prove that I am worthy of this honour.”

Dame Asha joined University Council in 2009 and is also a member of Finance Committee and Strategy and Planning Committee.

Research into horse colic uncovers a key cause

Research led by Dr Sarah Freeman, an Associate Professor at the University, shows a change in a horse’s living conditions could play a key role in the onset of colic, a leading cause of death.

The study found that after being moved from pasture to stabling, horses drank nearly twice their normal amount but their droppings were significantly less and much drier.

Identifying why impactions occur is important in developing measures to reduce the risk of this colic. It is not clear from existing research whether the underlying mechanism of impaction is dehydration of food, or an alteration in contractions of the gastrointestinal tract, or both.

Dr Freeman is leading a number of studies into equine colic. She is also finalising the outcomes of the nationwide colic survey.