Within Episode 4, Hamish talks about his journey to becoming a mental health nurse, after archaeology as a first career, following in family footsteps and his road to completing his doctorate whilst balancing clinical practice. Also Hamish talks about his role as chair of the Mental Health Nursing Review Practitioner Reference Group and what this has meant to him. As part of the review process, the group represented the voices of mental health nurses from different levels of practice across various sectors and settings. This included academics and student mental health nurses and working closely with Keith Russell, Nurse Director (Mental Health and Learning Disabilities) NHS Tayside, who chaired the Leadership Advisory Group.
Within this episode, please note we will be discussing:
If this content might disturb you or those around you, please reconsider listening or accessing the podcast transcript.
Access a written Transcript of Episode 4 - In Conversation with Dr Hamish Fulford available on a Sway document.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Let us know what you think about our podcast by filling out the Mental Health Nursing Scotland feedback form. Your opinion is valued. We want to grow and develop the channel to interest you, our listeners.
Resources
Exploring the use of mobile information and communication technology by people with mood disorders, and their health and social care professionals.
Visit the Mental Health nursing review information on the Scottish Government's website.
Access monthly updates for the Mental Health Nursing Review
Guest speaker - Hamish Fulford

Dr Hamish Fulford graduated as a Registered Mental Health Nurse from The University of Dundee in the early 2000s and spent several years working for NHS Tayside in specialist areas, such as older adult functional assessment, acute adult assessment, substance misuse services and community mental health services.
He completed his MSc counselling and psychotherapy training in 2013 and was awarded his PhD Nursing in 2018 by The University of Dundee. He latterly worked as an academic in higher education engaged in teaching, enterprise and research, before joining The State Hospital and Forensic Managed Care Network as Consultant Nurse in Psychological Therapies in 2022 where he divides his time equally between the two organisations.
Hamish continues to be engaged in clinical, education, service improvement and research developments within this role and continues to support and supervise doctoral students. Additionally, Hamish has also chaired and led on national groups and is the current co-chair of the Mental Health and Learning Disability Consultant Nurse Forum for Scotland.
Hamish is very keen to support staff in their professional development through supervision and coaching and would be delighted to have a chat with anyone interested in forging a clinical-academic career.