Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to announce another important milestone in advancing trauma-informed education within our nursing programmes. This semester, QUB has initiated a new collaboration with The Rowan (Sexual Assault Referral Centre), a service dedicated to providing specialist support and forensic care to individuals affected by sexual violence.

This initiative has been led by Dr Martina Galeotti and Mrs Joanna Brown, to enhancing student learning in sexual and health. The collaboration aims to deepen student nurses’ understanding of how to deliver compassionate, sensitive, and evidence-based care to those who have experienced sexual assault. 

Through this partnership, students will gain valuable insight into the support pathways offered at The Rowan Centre, including the trauma-informed approaches used to safeguard patients and the types of forensic examinations that may be required as part of their care journey. This enriched educational experience will equip our future nurses with the knowledge and confidence needed to provide high-quality support to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our healthcare system.

QUB values collaborations with Health and Social Care Trusts, as these partnerships help to build a bridge between academia and practice and ultimately improve the experience of both students and patients.

A special thank you to Tanya Copeland & Mary McGarry, the Advanced Nurse Practitioners, who delivered the session.