Virginia Lekani

PhD Student

School of Health and Wellbeing

Association for Dementia Studies

Contact Details

email: lekv1_26@uni.worc.ac.uk

Virginia is a part-time PhD student with the Association for Dementia Studies. Her research title is around evaluating Extra Care Housing placements capabilities on pain management for individuals with dementia and chronic pain. The research study will explore use of pain assessment tools for individuals living with dementia, prescribing of pharmacology and non-pharmacological pain management interventions. The study will raise awareness on promoting person-centred care for individuals with dementia, educate practitioners regarding pain management in dementia care and propose policy review for delivery of person-centred support for individuals with dementia and chronic pain in Extra Care Housing, Dementia Residential and Dementia Nursing placements.

Virginia is supervised by Dr Julie Barrett and Dr Mary O’Malley.

Professionally, Virginia works as a senior assessment and enablement worker in Learning Disability Team (Local Authority) and working in collaboration with care providers, NHS Integrated Care Board practitioners and NHS Community Team for People with Learning Disability practitioners. Virginia’s work experience covers conducting person-centred (rights based) care act assessments, reviewing commissioned complex care packages, conducting mental capacity assessments, social circumstance assessment, safeguarding investigations and supporting individuals to complete the Court of Protection – Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding applications. Virginia has previously assessed patients in hospital setting and facilitating safe discharges by establishing an appropriate discharge pathway.

Qualifications:

Masters in Public Health. Research Project - Evaluation of positive psychology interventions designed to improve the wellbeing of the workforce in healthcare environment: Systematic Review.

NHS Leadership Academy - Mary Seacole Programme.

Newman University BA (Top up Degree) in Professional Practice. Research Project - Developing of resilience by social work practitioners: The factors and the challenges.

Leadership & Management for Care Services for Children & Young Adults - Registered Manager’s Award – National Vocational Qualification Level 4.

The Principles of End of Life Care - National Vocational Qualification Level 3

University of Kent – SPELL Certificate in supporting children and adults on autism spectrum