Practice Learning Link Lecturer Team

The Practice Learning Link Lecturer Team in the Department of Health Sciences offer support to nursing and midwifery students out in practice placement areas. The aim of the team is to provide support to students, Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors out in practice. We are a friendly team who are eager to get to know students and hold close working relationships with our practice partners. .

Meet the team

Emily Singleton

Emily Singleton

My main professional speciality has been within Oncology and Haematology. Qualifying in 2013 from the University of York, I have held various posts including as an Oncology Staff Nurse, Chemotherapy Specialist Nurse at the Christie Hospital and Deputy Sister on Ward 31 at York Hospital (Oncology and Haematology). My role at the University is as Practice Learning Link and as Director of Practice Learning. I am passionate about practice learning and the experience our students receive during their clinical placements.

Drew Atherton

Drew started as an Associate Lecturer in March 2021 to support Health Sciences students in their practice placements. He qualified from the University of York in 2010 and has held posts within Cardiology, Research and Practice Education at York Hospital. He has 6 years’ experience as a Practice Education Facilitator supporting creation of the MSc placement pathways, identifying placements for Trainee Nursing Associates and supporting students and staff with the BSc programmes.

Bev Barf

Bev Barf

Since qualifying as an adult nurse from Oxford Brookes University in 1997 I have worked in a variety of acute and community settings. These have included neurosurgery, general surgery, palliative care and most recently in Public Health as a school nurse. Throughout my working life I have always enjoyed supporting and teaching students both pre and post registration in practice and feel that has helped me to keep up to date with practice and kept me enthusiastic about the nursing profession. I am really excited to join the practice education team at the university to continue to support students through their learning journey.

Helen Galloway

Since qualifying as a registered nurse in 1995 from Leeds College of Health (University of Leeds). I have worked in Neurology Medicine at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, and York Hospital. I have also worked in the community in York, for NHS Direct and on an acute stroke ward. In 2005 I began working for St Leonard’s Hospice, York and over the years I did several roles for the hospice including band 6 registered nurse, Lead Nurse for Education, and temporary Matron. In 2014 I qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Health & Social Care from University of York and in 2018 I obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education (PGC-CE) through the University of Leeds. My two main passions as a nurse are excellent patient care and supporting and teaching students. I really enjoy inspiring the next generation, encouraging them to be the very best and to provide exceptional holistic care, whichever field of healthcare they choose to work in.

Contact details

Please get in touch with us by email at dohs-pll@york.ac.uk or by telephoning the numbers below (please note that these are for calls only, no text messages).

Drew Atherton -tel 07384 239063
Bev Barf - tel 07384 239064
Helen Galloway - tel 07385 955650
Emily Singleton - tel 01904 323694

Also, follow us on twitter on @DohsP to keep informed about our developments and practice placement news.