Expertise
Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, qualitative research, workforce, frailty, older people.
Biography
Dr. Abi Hall is a dedicated researcher and physiotherapist with a growing reputation in the field of healthcare for older people, workforce development, and intermediate care. With a clinical and academic background, Dr. Hall has a clear vision for enhancing the quality of life and care for older populations through innovative and impactful research.
Her work centres on improving care transitions, particularly in hospital discharge processes and the role of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in Intermediate Care services. Dr. Hall is strongly committed to addressing workforce challenges, including developing and evaluating competency frameworks for AHP support workers. This important work focuses on improving outcomes for patients and populations by tackling complex health and care challenges, fostering collaboration, and addressing workforce sustainability.
Through her research, Dr. Hall drives forward PenARC’s priorities of co-producing evidence that directly informs practice and policy. For instance, her current projects explore how to optimise the role of AHPs in IC settings, ensuring that services are not only patient-centred but also well-supported by a robust workforce.
As an emerging leader in her field, Dr. Hall has been recognised with the prestigious British Geriatric Society’s Rising Star award and is a graduate of the Rosalind Franklin leadership programme. These achievements highlight her ability to lead innovative research that bridges the gap between academia and practice. Her work with NHS England on piloting IC initiatives demonstrates her commitment to implementing research that makes a tangible difference to health and care systems, another key pillar of PenARC’s strategy.
In addition to her research, Dr. Hall is a dedicated supervisor and mentor, guiding MSc students, PhD candidates, and research interns. This commitment to developing the next generation of researchers complements PenARC’s emphasis on capacity building within the health and care research community.
Looking to the future, Dr. Hall aims to secure additional research funding to build her own research team and expand the scope of her projects. By fostering partnerships with organisations like NHS England and integrating public and patient involvement into her work, she is ensuring that her research remains relevant, impactful, and centred on real-world needs.
Through her collaborative, patient-focused approach, Dr. Hall is not only advancing her own research agenda but also contributing significantly to PenARC’s mission of improving health outcomes through world-class applied health research.