Heather Loveday

Heather Loveday is a Professor of Evidence-Based Healthcare and Director of Research and Postgraduate Education at the Richard Wells Research Centre and Joanna Briggs Collaborating Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University of West London. She holds leadership roles in advancing infection prevention and control policies within healthcare settings.

Her research focuses on optimizing care for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults in care homes, addressing issues like urinary tract infections (UTIs), hydration management, and dysphagia care. She has contributed to national guidelines such as the epic3 infection control protocols for NHS hospitals in England. Her work integrates clinical practice, evidence synthesis, and policy development.

Key research themes include mixed methods systematic reviews, healthcare-associated infection prevention, and the psychosocial impact of emerging infections. Recent studies explore glove misuse in clinical settings, patient hand hygiene strategies, and pandemic preparedness frameworks.

Dr. Loveday collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across hospitals, care homes, and public health agencies. She supervises PhD programs in Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Sciences. Her articles span journals like BMJ Quality and Safety, Journal of Hospital Infection, and JBI Evidence Synthesis, emphasizing practical solutions for improving healthcare outcomes.

Awards and recognitions include contributions to national infection control guidelines and leadership in evidence-based practice initiatives. She advocates for integrating human factors and ergonomic principles into healthcare workflows to enhance patient safety.