Mrs Claire McGuigan

Professional biography

My research and practice interests span several interconnected areas, reflecting my commitment to holistic healthcare and evidence-based practice:

Clinical Specialties

• Palliative and end-of-life care
• Autoimmune conditions:
  • Coeliac disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Food allergies and their management

Research Methodologies & Approaches

• Qualitative research methodologies
• Cultures of Practice Analysis
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Public policy analysis
• Storytelling in healthcare

Specialised Focus: Food Allergy Advocacy & Research

My dedication to food allergy management and research stems from personal experience when my daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies in 2010. This journey has led to:

• Development of comprehensive expertise in food allergy management
• Research and advocacy work supported by the Royal Society for Public Health and The Open University
• Active membership in The British Society of Allergy and Immunology
• Certification as a Wahls Practitioner, offering programs on nutrition and inflammation management
• Establishment of the Northern Ireland Food Allergy Facebook Group
• Current development of a NI Food Allergy Network to influence regional policy

Research & Knowledge Exchange

I enjoy working with others to coproduce change through Knowledge Exchange and I am committed to improving allergy management in the UK through:

• Education and training initiatives
• Research projects
• Policy development
• Community support and advocacy
• Public health interventions
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Subject Matter Expertise

• General Nursing with specialist focus on:
  • Public health
  • Palliative care
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Food allergies

Educational Innovation

• Curriculum Development: Design and development of contemporary healthcare curricula
• Notable Achievement: Created "Best Practice in Palliative & End of Life Care" microcredential (2023)
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Foster holistic thinking by exploring connections across disciplines
• Student Development: Emphasis on nurturing intellectual growth and critical thinking skills

Knowledge Exchange & Research Project: Eating Out of Home with Food Allergies (2021-2023)

Leading an innovative project focused on improving the dining experience for individuals with food allergies while helping businesses adapt to meet their needs. This project bridges the gap between food allergy consumers and food service providers through research-led solutions.

Key Project Objectives:

• Investigation of decision-making factors for individuals with food allergies when choosing to dine out
• Documentation and analysis of consumer needs and safety requirements
• Translation of research findings into actionable insights for food businesses
• Development of a prototype app to facilitate communication between consumers and businesses, promoting safe practices and expanded dining options

Project Outcomes & Impact:

• Empowering individuals with food allergies through improved dining experiences
• Enabling businesses to develop more inclusive service models
• Creating practical tools for both consumers and businesses
• Contributing to the broader dialogue about food allergy management in public spaces

Project Partners & Impact:

• Collaborative partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College and award-winning Sinley Chinese, Cookstown
• Educational output dissemination between The Open University and Northern Regional College (2024)
• Influence on hospitality and catering industry training programs
• Ongoing development of industry-wide best practices

International Healthcare Education

Northern Ireland Commission Overseas Project (2017)

• Served as consultant for international healthcare education initiative
• Developed and delivered Nurse Mentorship Systems in Croatia
• Contributed to international nursing education standards

Industry & Education Partnerships

Food Allergy Management Initiative (2021-2023)

• Leading cross-sector collaboration between educational institutions and hospitality industry
• Partnering with:
  • Belfast Metropolitan College
  • Sinley Chinese Restaurant, Cookstown
  • Northern Regional College
  • The Open University
• Focus on preparing future hospitality professionals for food allergy management
• Development of educational resources and training materials

Resources

The 'Making Food Allergies Your Business' podcast series offers essential resources for anyone in food service or managing food allergies. These engaging materials make food allergy safety practical and accessible. Perfect for staff training or personal development, the series breaks down complex topics into manageable segments. Learn about proper food handling, cross-contamination prevention, and emergency response procedures.

Use these free resources as training tools, display them as kitchen posters, or integrate them into food safety lessons. You'll gain knowledge that could save lives and improve business operations.

Visit OpenLearn and help create safer dining experiences for people with food allergies.

‘Making Food Allergies Your Business’ Podcast Series on safer dining | OpenLearn - Open University