Professor Alan Finnegan
Director of Nursing & Military Mental Health
Alan joined the NHS as a porter in 1978, and then completed Registered Nurse Adult and Registered Nurse Mental Health training before joining the British Army as a Nursing Officer in 1987. During his military career he reached the rank of Colonel and his appointments included: Manager of Military Departments of Community Mental Health, the MoD Nurse Consultant in MMH and the MOD Nursing Advisor in MMH. Alan was Senior Military Nurse and Commanding Officer at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine during the peak of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. His final appointment was as the first MoD Professor of Nursing. He completed operational tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Balkans, Northern Ireland and South Africa. Alan has experience leading military and veterans specific research. His results are disseminated through multiple peer review publications.
Since commencing at the University of Chester in 2016, Alan has been appointed as the principal investigator for over 35 research projects totalling over £8M; including awards from the NHS, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), Forces in Mind Trust, and Business. These include partnerships with leading national charities and professional sports clubs. He has also received grants from Health Education England and the AFCFT to develop armed forces community educational modules and materials. During this period, he has published over 40 peer review articles.
Alan established the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Defence Nursing Forum and is the RCN link member for military veterans. He is a Courtesy Professor at the University of South Florida, the Assistant Editor of Nurse Education Today, and an international editorial board member of the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Alan is a Fellow of : the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust; the RCN; the Royal Society of Arts, the faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing where he is a member of their expert panel for Military and Veterans Health.
Alan is a Chair of the: Armed Forces Network (North West (NW) England), Contact Armed Forces Research Sub-Committee and Cheshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Partnership. He is also a member of the AFCFT Ethics Advisory Panel and the FiMT Research Centre Expert Advisory Board. In 2018, Alan provided evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee for their Armed Forces and Veterans Mental Health inquiry. In 2022, Alan was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Alan is a member of the Board of Trustees with Walking with the Wounded.
Finnegan, AP., Di Lemma L., Mcghee S., Watson R. (2023). Evaluating serious stress in military veterans, their carers and families: a protocol. BMJ Mil Health. 169(3):263-268. DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001715.
Finnegan, AP., Salem, K., Green, N., Ainsworth-Moore, L., Ghomi, M. (2023). Evaluation of the NHS England ‘Op COURAGE’ High Intensity Service for military veterans with significant mental health problems; BMJ Military Health. DOI: 10.1136/military-2023-002385.
Finnegan, AP. (2023). How Nurses Can Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Nurses RCNi 16 May.
Finnegan, AP., & Randles, R. (2023). Where are all the veterans? A mixed methods assessment of a systematic strategy to increase veteran registration in UK primary healthcare practices BMJ Open 2023;13:e068904.
Randles R., Burroughs H., Green N., Finnegan, AP. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of suicide and suicidal ideation in veterans who served in the British Armed Forces: a systematic review BMJ Mil Health Online First: 16 June 2023.
Randles, R., & Finnegan, AP. (2023). Guidelines for Writing a Systematic Review. Nurse Education Today. Jun; 125:105803.
Morgan, G., Back, E., Rosa, D., O'Hara, J., & Finnegan, AP. (2023). Assessing the value of bypassing agent therapy used prophylactic versus on-demand, during immune tolerance induction for treatment of Inhibitors: a retrospective chart review. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 18:47.
Rodriguez-Santana, I., Mestre, T., Squitieri, F., Willock, R., Arnesen, A., Clarke, A., D'Alessio, B., Fisher, A., Fuller, R., Hamilton, J.L., Hubberstey, H., Stanley, C., Vetter, L., Winkelmann. M., Doherty. M., Wu, Y., Finnegan, AP., Frank, S. (2023). Economic burden of Huntington’s Disease in Europe and the USA: Results from the Huntington’s Disease Burden of Illness Study. European Journal of Neurology. 30; 1109-1117.
Salem, K., Randles, R., Sapre, B., & Finnegan, AP. (2023). The experiences of ethnic minority personnel in the armed forces: a systematic review. J of Mil, Veteran and Family Health 9 (1), 5–14.
Finnegan, AP. (2023). Educating Nurses to Deliver Optimum Care to Military Veterans and their Families. Science Talks.
Currie, J., Thompson, C., Grootemaat, P., Andersen, P., Finnegan, AP., Carter, M., & Halcomb, E. (2023). A scoping review of clinical skill development of preregistration registered nurses in Australia and five other English-speaking countries. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32, 283–297.
Morgan, G., Brighton, S., Laffan, M., Goudemand, J., Franks, B., Finnegan, AP. (2022). The Cost of von Willebrand disease in Europe: The CVESS study. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis.
Finnegan, AP., & Randles, R. (2022). Nursing care for the military veteran and their family. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 00, 1– 3.
Finnegan, AP., Salem, K., Ainsworth-Moore, L., Randles, R., West, L., Simpson, R., & Benedicta Grant, V. (2022). The veteran friendly practice accreditation programme: a mixed methods evaluation. BJGP Open, 12 July.
Mighiu, C., O’Hara, S., Grazzi, EF, Murray, KF, Schattenberg, JM., Ventura, E., Karakaidos, M., Taylor, M., Brrang, H., Dhawan, A., Willemse. J & Finnegan, AP. (2022). Impact of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis on caregivers: caregiver-reported outcomes from the multinational PICTURE study. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 17:32.
Di Lemma, L., Howe, S., & Finnegan AP. (2022). An evaluation of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Aged Veterans Fund. British Medical Journal (Military Health). 186(1) pp 49-56.
Finnegan, AP., & Breeze, J. (2022). Improving research and initiatives to support veterans and their families. British Medical Journal (Military Health). 168 (1) pp i.
Randles, R., & Finnegan, AP. (2022). Veteran Health-Seeking Behaviour for Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review. British Medical Journal (Military Health). 168 (1), pp 99-104.
Finnegan, AP., & Randles, B. (2022). Prevalence of common mental health disorders in military veterans: using primary healthcare data – BMJ Military Health. Published online 18 Jan 2022.
Ruiz Casas, L., Evans, J., Rose, A., Ghizzi Pedra, G., Lobo, A., Finnegan, AP., Hayee, B., Peyrin-Biroulet, L., Sturm, A., Burisch, J., Terry, H., Avedano, L., Tucknott, S., Fiorino, g., Limdi, JM. (2021). The LUCID study: Living with Ulcerative Colitis; Identifying the socioeconomic burden in Europe. BMC Gastroenterology, 21, 456.
Steen, M.P., Di Lemma, L., Finnegan, AP., Wepa, D., &McGhee, S. (2021). Self-Compassion and Veterans Health: A Scoping Review. Journal of Veterans Studies, 7(1), 86–130.
Ruiz-Casas,L., O’Hara, S., Mighiu, C., Finnegan, AP., Taylor, A., Ventura, E., Dhawan, A., Murray, KF., Schattenberg, J., Willemse, J., Karakaidos, M., & Brrang, H. (2021). Burden of illness of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis in the US, UK, France, and Germany: study rationale and protocol of the PICTURE study, Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research.
Finnegan, AP., McKenna, H., McCourt, K. (2020). Reflecting on the Characteristics and Values of Military Nurses. War Zone Qualitative Research. Nursing Standard, 35 (10), 82-85.
O’Hara, J., Finnegan, AP., Dhillon, H., Ruiz-Casas, L., Pedra, G., Franks, B., Morgan, G., Hebditch, V., Jonsson, B., Mabhala, A., Reic, T., Van Thiel, I., Romero-Gomez, M., Bugianesi, E., Schattenberg, J & Anstee, Q. (2020). Cost of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Europe and USA: the GAIN Study JHEP Reports.
McGhee, S., Finnegan, AP., Angus, J., Lewis-Pierre, L., & Ortega, J. (2020). Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. A Guide for Emergency Department Nurses. Emergency Nurse. Mar 10;28(2):23-29.
Finnegan, AP., Di Lemma, L., Moorhouse, I., Lambe, R., Soutter, EM., Templeman, J., Ridgway, V., Hynes, C., Simpson, R., & McGhee, S. (2020). Educating Nurses to Deliver Optimum Care to Military Veterans and their Families. Nurse Education in Practice.
Finnegan, AP., & Aitkenhead, S. (2020). A Research Portfolio: Transformational change by nursing, midwifery and care staff across health and care. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 76, 7,8.
Willock, R., Laffan, M., Goudemand, J., Tiede, A., Skouw-Rasmussen, N., Giraud, N., Peake, R., de Meris, J., Caroll, L., & Finnegan AP. (2019). An Introduction to CVESS: The cost of von Willebrand disease in Europe- a socioeconomic study. Meeting Abstract. Haemophilia, 1 (SI) PP 163 ISSN: 1351-8216.
McGhee, S., Finnegan, AP., Angus, N., & Clochesy, J. (2019). Responding to Nerve Agent Poisoning: A Guide for Emergency Nurse Part 2. Emergency Nurse, Published online 16 April.
Ruiz, L., Willock, R, Russell, T., Morgan, G., O’Hara, J., Anstee, Q., Thiel, IV., Finnegan, AP., Rhys, J., Hebditch, V., Madhala, M., Scattenberg, J., Romero-Gomex, M., Bugianesi, E., Ratziu, V., Reic, T., Guzauskas, G., Jonsson, B., & Hatswell, A. (2019). The socio-economic burden of NASH in Europe and the United States: The gain study. Meeting Abstract. Journal of Hepatology 70, 1, E35-36.
Finnegan, AP., McGhee, S., Roxburgh, M., & Kent, B. (2019). Knowledge Translation and the Power of the Nursing Academic Conference. Nurse Education Today. 73 pp – 38-40.
Kiernan, M,. & Finnegan, AP. (2019). Committee examine Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2018. Written evidence to the Commons Select Committee. 12 Feb.
McGhee, S., Finnegan, AP., Angus, N., & Clochesy, J. (2019). Nerve agents: a guide for emergency nurses. Part One. Emergency Nurse, Published online – 19 Feb.
Kip, KE., Berumen, J., Zeidan, A., Hernandez, DF., Finnegan, AP. (2019). The emergence of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A review and new subgroup analyses. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2019;1–13.
Carter C., & Finnegan AP. (2018). Nurse Education in the British Armed Forces. Journal of Perioperative Practice. Nov;28(11):304-308.
Finnegan, AP., Bashford, J., & Green, M. (2018). Defence Committee: Oral Evidence: Mental health and the Armed Forces, Part 2: The Provision of Care, 11 September Crown London HC1481.
Finnegan AP., & Kiernan M (2018). Mental Health and the Armed Forces, Part Two. The Provision of Care Inquiry, 11 September Crown London POC 0096.
McGhee, S, Visovksy, C, Zambroski, C, & Finnegan, AP. (2018). Lyme disease: recognition and management for emergency nurses. Emergency Nurse. 26(2).
Kiernan, M., Finnegan, AP., & Hill, D. (2018). Defence Committee: Armed Forces and Veterans Mental Health Inquiry. Part One. Published 12 June 2018. Crown London VMH0046.
Finnegan, AP., Currie, J., Ryan, T., Steen, M. (2018). Nurse education and the military veteran. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, Vol. 25 (10): 38. ISSN: 2202-7114.
Finnegan, AP., Jackson, R., Simpson, R. (2018). Finding the Forgotten. Motivating Military Veterans’ to Register with a Primary Healthcare Practice. Military Medicine. 183 (11-12) 01 Nov: e509-e517.
McGhee, S., Visovsky, C.F., Clochesy, J & Finnegan, AP. (2018). Translating the Power of Coverdall Fellows to Address Global Nursing Challenges. Nurse Education Today 65 pp 94–95.
Finnegan, AP., Brownsell, M., Steen, S., & Templeman, J. (2017). Evaluating the Needs of the Armed Forces Community. Internal Video Report – University of Chester.
Finnegan, AP., McGhee, S., & Leach, J. (2017). Educating Nurses to Provide Better Care for the Military Veteran & their Families. Nurse Education Today. 54, pp 62-63.
Finnegan, AP. (2016). Editorial. Military Veterans Healthcare & Wellbeing Special Issue. Nurse Education Today. 47, pp 1.
Finnegan, AP., McKenna, H., & Lauder, W. (2016). The Challenges and Psychological Impact of Delivering Nursing Care within a War Zone. Nursing Outlook, (64), pp 450-458.
Finnegan, AP. (2016). The biopsychosocial benefits and shortfalls for armed forces veterans engaged in archaeological activities. Nurse Education Today (Military Veterans Special Edition). 47, pp 15-22.
Finnegan, AP., Kip, K., Hernandez, D., McGhee, S, Rosenzweig, L., Hynes, C & Thomas, M. (2016). Accelerated Resolution Therapy. An Innovative Approach to Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. British Medical Journal (Military Health). 162(2), pp 90-97.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., McKenna, H., McGhee, S., Ricketts, L., McCourt, K., Warren, J, & Thomas M (2016). Characteristics and Values of a British Military Nurse. International Implications of War Zone Qualitative Research. Nurse Education Today. Volume 36, Pages 86–95.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, S., Bates, D., Ritsperis, D., McCourt, K., & Thomas, M. (2015). Preparing British Military Nurses to Deliver Nursing Care on Deployment. An Afghanistan Study. Nurse Education Today. 35, pp 104-112.
McGhee, S., Weiner, A., Finnegan, AP., Visovsky, C., Clochesy, J., & Graves, J. (2015). Assessing and Managing Spider & Scorpion Envenomation. Emergency Nurse, 23(7) pp 32-37.
McGhee, S., Finnegan, AP., Clochesy, J., & Visovsky, C. (2015). Effects of Snakebite Envenomation. A Guide for Emergency Nurses. Emergency Nurse, 22(9) pp 24 - 29.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., & Thomas, M. (2014). Factors Affecting the Mental Health Support to British Armed Forces Personnel on Deployment in Afghanistan. Part Two Journal of Community Nursing. 28(6), pp 53-58
Carter, C., & Finnegan, AP. (2014). Nurse Education in the British Armed Forces. Nursing Standard. 29(7) pp 43-48.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., & Thomas, M. (2014). Factors Affecting the Mental Health Support to British Armed Forces Personnel on Deployment in Afghanistan. Part One.
Finnegan, AP. (2014). Conducting Qualitative Research in the British Armed Forces. Theoretical, Analytical and Ethical Implications. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 160(2), pp 135-140.
Finnegan, AP. (2014). Fieldwork & Practical Implications for Conducting Qualitative Research in the Defence Medical Services. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 160(2) pp 141-145.
Finnegan, AP., & Thomas, M. (2014). Effective Support for Serving Personnel. Adjacent Government. Published online 18 May 14.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, S., Thomas, M., Deahl, M., Simpson, R., & Ashford, R. (2014). The Presentation of Depression in the British Army. Nurse Education Today, Vol 34(1), pp 83-91.
Kiernan, M., Finnegan, AP., & Farrell, D. (2013). Role of the Military Community Mental Health Nurse. Nursing Standard, 27(51), pp 35 - 41.
Finnegan, AP,. & Nolan, P. (2012). Influences of British Army Nurses on Mental Health Care. British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 1(4), pp 214-219.
Batham, D., Finnegan, AP., Kiernan, M., Wall, C. & Simpson, R. (2012). Factors Affecting Role 1 Trauma Casualty Care in Afghanistan. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 158(3), pp 173-180.
Finnegan, AP., & Simpson, R. (2011). Stress in Battle. Psychology Review. 17(2), Nov, pp 10-13.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., McGee, P., Ashford, R., & Simpson, R. (2011). Serving in the British Army: Research into Mental Health Benefit. British Journal of Nursing, 20(19), 26 Oct; pp 1256 – 1261.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., McKee, P., Srinivasan, M., & Simpson, R. (2010). Predisposing Factors Leading to Depression in the British Army. British Journal of Nursing, 19(21), pp. 1355 – 1362.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., Jackson, C., Simpson, R., & Ashford, R. (2010). Predisposing Factors and Associated Symptomatology of British Soldiers Requiring a Mental Health Assessment. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 2010, 156(2), pp.90-96.
Finnegan, AP., & Finnegan, SE. (2007). Assessing the Effectiveness of the British Army’s Mental Health Service. British Journal of Nursing, 16(12), pp. 725 – 730.
Finnegan, AP., Finnegan, SE., & Gamble, D. (2007). A Review of One Year of British Armed Forces Mental Health Hospital Admissions. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 153(1), pp. 26 – 31.
Finnegan, AP. (1999). Major Trauma Response Service in Northern Ireland. Professional Nurse, 1999, Vol 15, No 3, pp. 179-182.
Finnegan, A.P., Cumming, P., & Piper, M. (1998). Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Following the Terrorist Bombing of Army Headquarter Northern Ireland. British Medical Journal (Military Health). (144), pp. 5-10.
Finnegan, AP. (1998). Clinical Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, British Journal of Nursing, Vol 7 (4), pp. 212-218.
Vassallo DJ., Taylor JC., Aldington DJ., & Finnegan AP. (1997). Shattered Illusion – the Thiepval bombing, 7 October 1996. British Medical Journal (Military Health), 143(01), pp 5-11.
Finnegan, AP. (1997). Societal Factors that Negatively Effect the Mental Health Support for the British Army’s Service Personal Involved in Major Trauma. British Medical Journal (Military Health). (143), pp. 107-111.
Finnegan, AP. (1995). Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in Clinical Practice. British Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation. 1995, 2(12), pp. 679- 685. doi.org/10.12968/bjtr.1995.2.12.679. DOI: 10.1136/jramc-144-01-02.
Finnegan, AP. (1995). Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Using Riehl’s Interaction Model. British Journal of Nursing, 4(20), pp. 1214 1217.