Jim Buchan - Research Profile

 Jim Buchan, Professor in Health Workforce Policy

Professor James Buchan is based in the School of Health Sciences. He is also an associate fellow at the Kings Fund, London; an Associate at the WHO European Observatory on Health Systems, and a visiting professor at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

Professor Buchan has twenty years experience of practice, policy research and consultancy on HR and workforce strategy and planning in the health sector, specialising in nursing. He has worked throughout the UK, and also has international work experience in a range of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

His previous employment includes work as a Senior HR Manager in the NHS Executive in Scotland; and as Policy Adviser at Royal College of Nursing. In 2000/01 he was seconded to work on HR issues at World Health Organisations (WHO).  He has also worked in the USA, as a Harkness Fellow, at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Buchan holds a honours degree from the University of Aberdeen and received his PhD at the Robert Gordon University.

EXAMPLES OF PROFESSOR BUCHAN’S RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY WORK

Professor  Buchan  is currently directing  a policy research study for the Royal College of Nursing, which is reviewing recent trends in the UK nursing labour market, against the backdrop of cost containment in the  public sector, and an ageing profile in the nursing workforce.  The annual UK nursing labour market review is commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN)  to provide evidence for the NHS staff pay Review Body.

Professor Buchan has been appointed to a  global technical expert panel by WHO, which is examining the evidence base on effective policies to recruit and retain health workers in rural/ remote regions. The WHO panel will be publishing global policy recommendations to assist organisations in identifying good practice  on this issue.

Professor Buchan is acting as a scientific director  on a EU funded multi country examination of the dynamics of health worker migration.  The project includes partner teams in more than 15 EU countries, as well as various agencies and organisations, and is looking at the policy context for health worker migration in Europe.

RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY

Queen Margaret University has a range of experts who are available to work with business, research partners, health organisations and government organisations. 

Over the years Professor Buchan has provided his expertise to a wide range of organisations including The Health Department, Scottish Government, Department of Health, England, Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Health Organisation (WHO).

If you’re interested in accessing Professor Buchan’s expertise to assist your project development pleased contact: Sue Gordon, Business Development Manager, E: sgordon@qmu.ac.uk or Kim Gilchrist, Senior Research Officer, E:kgilchrist@qmu.ac.uk or T: 0131 474 0000 and ask for each member of staff by name.

KEY MEDIA TALKING POINTS

Professor Buchan is an experienced media commentator having provided regular specialist comment on key nursing issues to the national newspapers and the specialists nursing press. He would be happy to provide specialist comment to the media in the following areas:

·        NHS workforce planning;

·        NHS staff pay;

·        recruitment and retention and

·        international migration of health workforce.

CONTACT:

If you require Professor Buchan for media comment please contact Lynne Russell , Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, tel: 0131 317 3652, mobile: 07711 011239.