Ruth Trout book launch

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BNU celebrates cross-institutional success: Lived experience meets clinical excellence

Last week, the College of Health and Society at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) celebrated more than the launch of a book—it celebrated a truly cross-institutional journey. The publication of Understanding the Lived Experience of the Stroke Patient: A Guide for Health Professionals, edited by Catherine Forward, Ruth Trout, and Jo Vincent, showcases what can be achieved when academic boundaries are dissolved and lived experience is placed at the heart of research and learning.

The success of the text is rooted in its unique partnership between editors and contributors who bring together leading expertise from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, alongside the voices of stroke survivors themselves. By integrating clinical knowledge with lived experience, the project successfully merges diverse pedagogical approaches into a single, cohesive, and highly practical resource.

The editorial team, spanning clinical practice and academic thought leadership, includes:

  • Ruth Trout, Senior Lecturer and Specialist Neuroscience Nurse at Buckinghamshire New University
  • Catherine Forward, Academic Manager, Tuition – Nursing at The Open University (OU)
  • Jo Vincent, retired SEND teacher, stroke survivor and Expert by Experience Lead.

This collaboration enables the book to move beyond traditional medical instruction, combining robust evidence-based guidance with the authentic voices of those who have experienced life after stroke.

The book stands as a tangible example of BNU’s commitment to experience-based education. Significant contributions from BNU Senior Lecturers Sarah Thirtle, Annette Palmer, and Fiona Chalk highlight how staff expertise and research directly inform the education of current and future healthcare professionals.

Co-editor Ruth Trout, Senior Lecturer and Neuroscience Specialist Nurse at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “Our hopes with this book, which is a true collaboration between expert health professionals and courageous patients who have experienced living with stroke, are to shape the knowledge and insights of future stroke care professionals and ultimately improve stroke care delivery.”

BNU staff contributed chapters addressing the complexities of post-stroke life, including:

  • Fiona Chalk, who explored independence, safety, continence, and relationships.
  • Annette Palmer and Sarah Thirtle, who discussed practical issues and limitations related to washing and dressing.
  • Ruth Trout, who focused on stroke epidemiology and pathophysiology, eating and drinking, continence promotion, and sexuality and relationships.

The book also features contributions from colleagues across local practice partners and national and international academic institutions, including The Open University, Birmingham City University (BCU), and Istanbul University:

  • Gill Hoad and Rachel Hayden, from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and the Acute Stroke Team at Wycombe Hospital, who provided essential insights into supporting and promoting well being post stroke.
  • Claire Hartley, Speech and Language Therapist and Senior Lecturer at BCU whose communication chapter was written in conjunction with her post-stroke conversation group.
  • Sarah Davies, Lecturer at BCU, who co-authored a chapter on eating and drinking with former BNU student Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Stroke and Medical Team Lead Dietician at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust.
  • Zeliha Tulek and Hilalnur Kucukakgun, from Istanbul University, who focused on sleep, work, and play.
  • Claire Lynch Senior Lecturer at BCU and Catherine Lamb of Oxford University Hopsitals NHS Trust joined Ruth in exploring the background to and types of stroke.
  • Catherine Hamilton (OU) and Hannah Mosley (BCU) explored facing mortality and loss.
  • Jennifer Huffadine Oxford Community NHS Trust and Lyndsey Shawe, Specialist Stroke Physiotherapist partnered with Fiona Chalk to explore maintaining independence and keeping safe post stroke. 
  • Julia Williams shared her expertise on sexuality and continence management

Crucially, the stroke survivor Expert by Experience perspective was embedded throughout the book through engagement with individual stroke survivors and patient groups including the Oxford Stroke Patient Group and the South Birmingham (BCU) Conversation Group. This ensured the final output was not merely theoretical, but a practical tool refined by those who understand the realities of stroke recovery first-hand.

Will Broughton, Associate Dean for External Engagement, said: "This book is a truly outstanding example of shared hard work between universities, people with lived experience, and health professionals. The collaboration and effort shown by all involved is a testament to the importance of this topic, and it has real potential to make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by stroke.”

Published by Routledge, this 266-page guide serves as a blueprint for future multi-university and professional practice collaborations. It bridges the gap between classroom learning and clinical care, demonstrating that when institutions work together, they can move beyond academic rigour to something profoundly human.

For those interested in purchasing the book, a 20% discount is available using the code 25AFLY3.