Christina Reihills,
RGN, M.Sc. Advanced Clinical Practice, PG Diploma 

Education

Project Manager Transformation Team for Elective Surgery Pathway

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Training as a Nurse in her native Northern Ireland Christina came to England taking up her first post at Guy’s hospital.

Christina has worked in a number of clinical settings in both primary and secondary care, including GP out of hour’s service. With a keen interest in respiratory care fostered and developed in primary care she became a trainer on the nationally recognised Education for Health delivering training for Degree courses on Respiratory and Cardiovascular disease for Community Nurses and General Practitioners. Between the years 2009-2013 Christina held posts as a community Matron and a Respiratory Nurse Specialist. 

Christina was appointed as Lead Nurse for Pre-assessment at University Hospital Birmingham (UHB) and is responsible for leading and developing a centralised Pre-assessment service across four sites 

In 2018 Christina completed her M.Sc. Advanced Clinical Practice  University of Birmingham that focused on the outcome of patients with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c>70mmol/mol). This study demonstrated that patients with a HbA1c>80mmol/mol have an excess length of stay by 3 days and are more likely to have a readmission within 30 days. This is related to, in many cases sub optimal treatment and poor compliance with treatment. Working collaboratively with Primary care and In-patient Diabetic team has resulted in a more robust pathway for patients with uncontrolled Diabetes and discernible improvements in post-operative outcomes 

Christina believes passionately that patients should be front and centre to all decisions about the care and ensures that this important focus is included in all new proposals and policies. involvement in all decisions about their care is vital, this includes actively seeking patient feedback on their surgical journey which has informed positive changes to the Pre-assessment service.