Erskine Veterans Charity: 2023 Burdett Awards Winners

At the 2023 Burdett Awards, Erskine Veterans Charity, were the winners of our Older People Nursing Award category and received £20,000.

The charity is pioneering advanced practice roles in social care and they used this award money towards advanced learning, for the benefit of not only each individual nurse, but to enhance care for residents and families

Kim Barron RN, ANP – Kim is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at their 180-bed Erskine Home and is further developing her skill set by studying for a Clinical Doctorate in Nursing, at Stirling University. Kim has completed three modules to date: Contemporary Theory in Research; Archiving Evidence Based Change in Healthcare Systems; and Research and Design for Clinical Practice. She has one further taught module to complete, before moving on to her thesis. The topic for Kim’s thesis will most likely be an exploration of the experience of substitute decision making for a parent. Possibly with a specific focus on Power of Attorney, and likely care home specific. Kim is currently reviewing existing literature to understand current knowledge and gaps, before making a final decision on the topic. Broadly, Kim’s learning to date will enable her to use and undertake research effectively. It will support Erskine to keep up to date on current theory and practice, and contribute to professional learning/development across the organisation. Upon embarking her thesis, Kim’s developing knowledge and skills will be shared as she progresses, through informal networks and formal publication of her work. Remaining funds from the grant from the Burdett Trust for Nursing will allow Kim to complete year four (of seven) of her Clinical Doctorate. Funding for the final three years has yet to be sourced.

Robyn Murray, RN – Robyn is our Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner, working alongside Kim at their 180-bed Erskine Home. Robyn is studying for an MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice, at Glasgow Caledonian University, and is in her second year of study. Robyn has completed three modules to date: Applied Pathophysiology for Advancing Professional Practice; Advanced Clinical Practice; and Advanced Research (submitted early January 2026). She is supported through her studies and in-house learning by Kim.

Christina Lockhart, RN – Christina is a Clinical Lead at their Erskine Edinburgh Home and is further developing her skill set by studying for an MSc in Person Centred Practice, at Queen Margaret University. Christina has completed three modules to date: Assessing and Planning Care for Persons, People and Populations; Theory and Practice of Person Centred Health and Wellbeing; and Leading Person Centred Practice for Health and Wellbeing. Christina has realised a number of benefits from her learning, including the introduction of OSCaRS Reflective Sessions, which Christina now holds for all staff at the Erskine Edinburgh Home – OSCaRS (Ongoing Supportive Conversations and Reflective Sessions) – Care Homes. These sessions are designed to facilitate practice-based learning and offer support to staff around palliative and end of life care, in relation to a recent death, event or incident related to palliative care (for example, challenging conversations, use of medication, recognising deteriorating residents, etc). Christina is due to go on maternity leave soon and will be taking a break from her studies for the duration of her leave, resuming upon her return to work.

Samantha Newton, RN, ANP – Samantha is our Advanced Nurse Practitioner at our 40-bed Erskine Edinburgh Home, having now completed her studies and been awarded an MSc in Advancing Care Home Practice from Queen Margaret University. Samantha was the first Nurse Prescriber in a care home in Lothian and, following her promotion, is now the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner in a care home in Lothian, having successfully interviewed for and been appointed to the position in 2025. Samantha plays an essential role in supporting Christina Lockhart to complete her MSc in Person Centred Practice and in implementing her skills and learning across the Erskine Edinburgh Home. For example, Samantha is currently working to introduce an electronic referral form that our care team can use to refer residents to her, which in turn can be shared with our GP. This will help create a robust clinical record of concerns for relatives, improve communication with our GP surgery and help staff learning as, using an SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) format, their own knowledge and skills will be enhanced by working systematically through a resident’s presenting issue.