I asked Mike how he got into the world of patient handling?

I was running a Nursing Home and wanted to do something different. I had been told that I was a reasonable teacher, (based on what, I don’t know), so started training HCAs for a Nursing Agency and then branched into manual handling.

How did you find out you were on the HOP5 writing team?

My close friend, Claire Mowbray, had applied to write for the book, whilst we were both in the middle of our MSc studies and approached me and asked whether I would co-author the chapter. My initial reaction was, “Are you mad!!” and then after being bribed with a cappuccino, I agreed.

Would you like to be involved in HOP6 whenever that maybe?

In one word, yes. I enjoyed writing the chapter and Claire and I have since lectured together, so co-writing again would be great.

How have you personally benefited from being on the writing team?

I have increased my knowledge of falls, falling patients and psychological barriers exhibited by handlers so the answer is yes. I have also lectured extensively, including in Australia, on the management of the falling person, so I have met great people and been to places I perhaps would not have visited so soon.

You co-wrote the chapter dealing with the fallen patient, which chapter would you have liked to have written?

The one I wrote. It fascinates me and because it is such a controversial subject most people would shy away from it.

Did you and Claire Mowbray have differences of opinions in what to write and if so, how did you come to an agreement?

Actually no, we didn’t. There were lots of punctuation discussions, (anyone who knows Claire will know what I mean!!) but we worked together very well and we discussed each section at some length.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

I have only just started my business (see MJB Training in the training section of this web site) so in five years I aim to have a very established and lucrative business.