Dr David Francis Hunt

About me:

David is an applied psychologist who specialises in improvement and implementation science in mental health. His research is transdiagnostic and is underpinned by two core principles:

1. Employing participatory methodologies to ensure substantive involvement with pertinent stakeholders, encompassing those with lived experience.

2. Advocating for personalised care and recovery-centered practices that position patients at the core of their own care, enabling them to proactively engage in their journey to recovery.

Interests:

David's research is centred on applied methodologies, collaborating with various academics and healthcare professionals to enhance patient and staff outcomes and experiences, as well as to refine the support healthcare systems offer to the patient populations. His research is wide-ranging, covering all aspects of mental health and extending into community and primary healthcare settings. Noteworthy projects that David has participated include the integration of nature-based methods into mental health care, reducing eating disorder behaviours in a specialist eating disorders unit, reducing the unncessary use of restrictive practices, improving sexual safety in inpatient services, ensuring the meaningful involvement of patients in care planning, and promoting compassion in inpatient settings.

David's academic and professional journey includes a diverse range of experiences in sectors such as mental health, research funding, social welfare law, and education. Over recent years, he has made contributions through non-traditional academic channels, including:

Leading research with the National Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Nursing Director's Forum and Care Quality Commission to formulate national guidance aimed at mitigating ligature risks in the built environment and improving the therapeutic benefits of enhanced observations.
Developed an evidence-based framework designed to enhance sexual safety within mental health settings was formulated and presented to healthcare trusts throughout the South of England, subsequently informing programmes across numerous attending trusts.

Engaging in various projects within the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which include designing and appraising the psychological integration model, evaluating the peer support worker scheme, co-developing a new care plan utilising an adapted appreciative inquiry approach now being implemented trust-wide, and establishing national guidelines for mealtime assistance for individuals with eating disorders.

Drafted the first iteration for the benefits realisation plan and metrics of success for a five-year evaluation plan for Health Data Research UK.
Designing, executing, and evaluating an intricate intervention for charities to aid underserved groups in accessing social welfare law information and support.

Generating and assessing a suite of initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged children and their families across ten schools.

In summary, David's research profile is unique due to its blend of academic insight and practical experience across various sectors, achieving significant contributions to mental health and other health and social care, through innovative approaches and collaborative projects.

Qualifications:

PhD Psychology - University of Bristol

BSc (Hons) Experimental Psychology - University of Bristol

Agile Project Management - Foundation and Practitioner Level