Jennie Wilson

Professor Jennie Wilson is a leading academic in healthcare epidemiology at the University of West London, affiliated with the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare and the Richard Wells Research Centre. She is a registered nurse with extensive experience in infection prevention and control (IPC), having worked in NHS Trusts and contributed to national surveillance programs in England.

• First Degree: Microbiology
• Master's Degree: Public Health
• PhD: Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAI)
• Doctoral Thesis: The design and application of surveillance systems in improving health outcomes and identifying risk factors for HCAI

Her research is centered on preventing healthcare-associated infections, with a strong focus on urinary and respiratory tract infections, dehydration in the elderly, hand hygiene, and the appropriate use of clinical gloves. She has led significant initiatives such as the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Service and has contributed to major national guidelines, most notably as a lead author of the epic3 guidelines for preventing HCAI in NHS hospitals. Her work often applies behavior change theory and human factors to improve IPC practices.

The trends in her recent publications show a sustained focus on practical interventions to prevent infections in vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly in care homes. She frequently investigates hydration, dysphagia, and catheter management as risk factors for infections like UTIs. Her research methodology includes systematic reviews, scoping reviews, realist syntheses, and the development of clinical tools and guidelines. She has also been deeply involved in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, studying transmission, IPC measures, and pandemic planning.

Professor Wilson has received significant recognition through her prolific publication record and leadership in national guideline development. Her work with the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS), Infection Prevention Society (IPS), and Public Health England underscores her influence in the field.

Although specific students are not listed, her role as a professor and research leader implies she supervises and mentors postgraduate researchers. Her research is highly collaborative, involving numerous co-authors from various institutions and disciplines, and is often funded by national health bodies. She has contributed to major reports on nursing education and practice needs.

She is a key member of the Richard Wells Research Centre and has led projects that bridge clinical practice, public health policy, and academic research. Her work on mobile anticoagulant therapy and healthcare worker perceptions highlights her interdisciplinary approach.