Dr Colin Barnes

My role

I am the Head of Improvement. I previously worked for 28 years as an adult Speech and Language therapist.

My responsibilities

Alongside audit and evaluation, I oversee the trusts Quality Improvement (QI) programme, our workshop programme and our library and knowledge service.

My background

I worked for 28 years as a Speech and Language therapist, specialising in dementia care and carer support before joining the Research and Improvement team in May 2017. I completed my PhD (a randomised controlled trial about providing communication support to dementia carers) in 2016 and before that studied for an MA in Mental Health and a PG. Cert in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I maintain an interest in communication, dementia, and carer research.

Why I love my job

I love to learn. Working in a corporate team enables me to learn about and share learning across services in the Trust. I enjoy supporting colleagues working on evaluations and QI for effectiveness and improvement as well as their personal career development. Maintaining my clinical registration and research interests keeps me in touch with the world of clinical practice and dementia care.

More about me

When I’m not working, I enjoy cycling, walking our dog and playing music. My favourite instrument to play is the cello which sings much better than I can! We also have an old camper van set up for adventures around the country though we do love exploring Dorset and the New Forest.

Published work

I have published and distributed two books about communication difficulties for carers and written a chapter in a book on dementia care. I have also published a systematic review and the randomised controlled trial from my PhD.

I am a literature reviewer for the Alzheimer’s Society and have co-authored two of their publications on memory and communication. I have also co-authored national policy papers for speech and language therapy.

I regularly review papers for a range of research journals as well as research proposals for the NIHR.