Digital Healthcare: Fully Funded DHCW PhD: Innovation in the NHS: A Longitudinal Study of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) Introduction in Wales (RS790)

Funding provider: Welsh Govt. via Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) – part of NHS Wales 

Subject areas: Digital Healthcare, Business and Service Change, Technology Deployment, Digital Medicines Transformation 

Project start date: 1 July 2025 (Enrolment open from mid–June) 

Supervisor: Professor Nick Rich  

Aligned programme of study:  PhD Business Management 

Mode of study:  Full Time  

Project description:  

• To monitor the implementation of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems in NHS Wales and to follow specific case studies as Health Boards introduce their EPMA platforms. 

• To monitor system/process changes and reported performance and benefits indicators. 

• To assess the change programme from the employee perspective (clinical and non-clinical).  

• To cross-compare case studies of implementation and performance improvement. 

Minimum Degree Requirements: 2.1 Bachelor's degree or above and a Master's degree (merit level or above), plus a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a professional role.

Scholarship open to UK and International fee-eligible applicants.

The scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees and provide a stipend of £58,707 over three years.

An additional £12,000 is available for expenses such as conferences and fieldwork over the three years.

To apply please then complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice:

Business Management / PhD / Full-Time / 3 Years / July

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this case, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

     2. Start year – please select 2025

     3. Funding (page 8 on the application process) –

• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS790 - EPMA'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University-led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University-led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts 
• A cover letter
• Two references
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable)
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Professor Nick Rich (N.l.rich@swansea.ac.uk)

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.