Mrs Francesca Purvis

Francesca first completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Kent and following this completed PG Dip in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Southampton, later completing her MSc in Mental Health Nursing. Following qualifying, Francesca worked in inpatient CAMHS setting, during which she became a founding member of a group family based treatment approach for young people on the eating disorder treatment pathway.

Choosing to specialise further in eating disorders, Francesca spent the next 10 years undertaking various roles across the specialism, including day patient work, outpatient psychological therapy and group work supporting recovery from individuals with diagnosed eating disorders and atypical variations, having trained in several therapeutic modalities. Over this time, Francesca was involved in service evaluation and presented outcomes from the Intensive Community Support provision at the Beat Conference, and later helped implement and evaluate new NICE approved psychological treatments, leading on this within the service. In an advanced nursing role, Francesca was involved in a service development project to set up and oversee a new medical monitoring service for those with Anorexia Nervosa at high physical health risk. Following undertaking an enhanced care role within UHS, Francesca lead on liaison between community and eating disorder services and acute medical hospitals with the aim of supporting staff teams and individuals.

As a Senior Teaching Fellow within the mental health nursing team, Francesca is excited to share her knowledge and passion for eating disorders with the next generation of nursing professionals, and to champion the therapeutic skills of the mental health nurse. Francesca is also seeking to grow the evidence base relating to the use of specific psychotherapies in routine eating disorders care as part of her PhD research.