All Outputs (18)

Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use (2025)
Journal Article
Foster, R., Carver, H., Matheson, C., Pauly, B., Wallace, J., MacLennan, G., Budd, J., & Parkes, T. (2025). Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use. Communications Medicine, 5(1), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00721-6

Background
The Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study involved designing and implementing a peer-delivered, harm reduction intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use. Normalisation Process Theo... Read More about Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use.

‘Now there you go, there’s my life. All my life is coming to prisons!’: persistent punishment in the lives of Scottish families affected by imprisonment (2024)
Journal Article
Foster, R. (online). ‘Now there you go, there’s my life. All my life is coming to prisons!’: persistent punishment in the lives of Scottish families affected by imprisonment. Families, Relationships and Societies, https://doi.org/10.1332/20467435Y2024D000000037

Internationally, there has been increased attention by research, policy and practice to the experiences of the family members of prisoners. Scotland continues to experience a disproportionately high rate of imprisonment, and this often translates to... Read More about ‘Now there you go, there’s my life. All my life is coming to prisons!’: persistent punishment in the lives of Scottish families affected by imprisonment.

Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker roles: insider insights from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study (2024)
Journal Article
Dumbrell, J., Carver, H., Foster, R., Pauly, B., Steele, W., Roy, M., & Parkes, T. (2024). Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker roles: insider insights from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study. Harm Reduction Journal, 21, Article 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01109-4

Background: Peer workers are individuals who draw on their personal experiences in a professional capacity to support clients. Existing research on the role of peer workers in mental health, homelessness, and substance use services has primarily focu... Read More about Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker roles: insider insights from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study.

Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by Community Pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (2023)
Journal Article
Schofield, J., Parkes, T., Mercer, F., Foster, R., Hnízdilovà, K., Matheson, C., Steele, W., McAuley, A., Raeburn, F., Skea, L., & Baldacchino, A. (2023). Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by Community Pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Pharmacy, 11(3), Article 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11030088

There have been increases in the prescribing of high strength opioids for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) but CNCP patients perceive themselves as being at low risk of opioid overdose and generally have limited overdose awareness. This study examined... Read More about Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by Community Pharmacists for patients prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.

Patient, family members and community pharmacists' views of a proposed overdose prevention intervention delivered in community pharmacies for patients prescribed high‐strength opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain: An explorative intervention development study (2022)
Journal Article
Mercer, F., Parkes, T., Foster, R., Steven, D., McAuley, A., Baldacchino, A., Steele, W., Schofield, J., & Matheson, C. (2023). Patient, family members and community pharmacists' views of a proposed overdose prevention intervention delivered in community pharmacies for patients prescribed high‐strength opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain: An explorative intervention development study. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42(3), 517-526. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13554

Introduction
Despite opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) having limited therapeutic benefits, recent evidence indicates significant increases in the prescribing of high-strength opioids for individuals with CNCP. Patients prescribe... Read More about Patient, family members and community pharmacists' views of a proposed overdose prevention intervention delivered in community pharmacies for patients prescribed high‐strength opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain: An explorative intervention development study.

‘Why would we not want to keep everybody safe?’ The views of family members of people who use drugs on the implementation of drug consumption rooms in Scotland (2022)
Journal Article
Parkes, T., Price, T., Foster, R., Trayner, K. M. A., Sumnall, H. R., Livingston, W., Perkins, A., Cairns, B., Dumbrell, J., & Nicholls, J. (2022). ‘Why would we not want to keep everybody safe?’ The views of family members of people who use drugs on the implementation of drug consumption rooms in Scotland. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), Article 99. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00679-5

Background
People who use drugs in Scotland are currently experiencing disproportionately high rates of drug-related deaths. Drug consumption rooms (DCRs) are harm reduction services that offer a safe, hygienic environment where pre-obtained drugs c... Read More about ‘Why would we not want to keep everybody safe?’ The views of family members of people who use drugs on the implementation of drug consumption rooms in Scotland.

Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers (2022)
Journal Article
Nicholls, J., Livingston, W., Perkins, A., Cairns, B., Foster, R., Trayner, K. M. A., Sumnall, H. R., Price, T., Cairney, P., Dumbrell, J., & Parkes, T. (2022). Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), Article 6575. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116575

There is widespread support for the introduction of Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) in Scotland as part of a policy response to record levels of drug-related harm. However, existing legal barriers are made more complex by the division of relevant power... Read More about Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers.

Long-acting depot buprenorphine in people who are homeless: Views and experiences (2022)
Journal Article
Matheson, C., Foster, R., Schofield, J., & Browne, T. (2022). Long-acting depot buprenorphine in people who are homeless: Views and experiences. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 139, Article 108781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108781

Introduction
People experiencing homelessness often experience intersecting mental and physical health problems, alongside problem substance use and a range of overlapping challenges, including access to appropriate treatment. New long-acting opioid... Read More about Long-acting depot buprenorphine in people who are homeless: Views and experiences.

A peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of homeless people with problem substance use: the SHARPS feasibility mixed-methods study (2022)
Journal Article
Parkes, T., Matheson, C., Carver, H., Foster, R., Budd, J., Liddell, D., Wallace, J., Pauly, B., Fotopoulou, M., Burley, A., Anderson, I., & MacLennan, G. (2022). A peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of homeless people with problem substance use: the SHARPS feasibility mixed-methods study. Health Technology Assessment, 26(14), 1-128. https://doi.org/10.3310/wvvl4786

Background
For people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use, access to appropriate services can be challenging. There is evidence that development of trusting relationships with non-judgemental staff can facilitate service engagement.... Read More about A peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of homeless people with problem substance use: the SHARPS feasibility mixed-methods study.

Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and accessibility of a peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of people who experience homelessness with problem substance use: the SHARPS study (2022)
Journal Article
Parkes, T., Matheson, C., Carver, H., Foster, R., Budd, J., Liddell, D., Wallace, J., Pauly, B., Fotopoulou, M., Burley, A., Anderson, I., Price, T., Schofield, J., & MacLennan, G. (2022). Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and accessibility of a peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of people who experience homelessness with problem substance use: the SHARPS study. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00582-5

Background
For people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use, access to appropriate services can be challenging. There is evidence that the development of trusting relationships with non-judgemental staff can facilitate service engageme... Read More about Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and accessibility of a peer-delivered intervention to reduce harm and improve the well-being of people who experience homelessness with problem substance use: the SHARPS study.

Chronic pain, prescribed opioids and overdose risk: a qualitative exploration of the views of affected individuals and family members (2022)
Journal Article
Parkes, T., Foster, R., McAuley, A., Steven, D., Matheson, C., & Baldacchino, A. (2023). Chronic pain, prescribed opioids and overdose risk: a qualitative exploration of the views of affected individuals and family members. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 30(3), 229-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2021.2022100

It has been estimated that chronic non cancer pain (CNCP) affects more than 30% of people worldwide. Correspondingly, prescriptions for individuals experiencing CNCP have increased in recent years. While opioids can minimize pain, they also pose a ri... Read More about Chronic pain, prescribed opioids and overdose risk: a qualitative exploration of the views of affected individuals and family members.

“PPI? That sounds like Payment Protection Insurance”: Reflections and learning from a substance use and homelessness study Experts by Experience group (2021)
Journal Article
Foster, R., Carver, H., Wallace, J., Dunedin, A., Burridge, S., Foley, P., Pauly, B., & Parkes, T. (2021). “PPI? That sounds like Payment Protection Insurance”: Reflections and learning from a substance use and homelessness study Experts by Experience group. Research Involvement and Engagement, 7(1), Article 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-021-00324-8

Background
Patient and Public Involvement in research is important for citizenship, accountability and transparency, and has the practical benefit of helping to ensure its quality and applicability. Involving members of the public in research is bec... Read More about “PPI? That sounds like Payment Protection Insurance”: Reflections and learning from a substance use and homelessness study Experts by Experience group.

Peer Support and Overdose Prevention Responses: A Systematic ‘State-of-the-Art’ Review (2021)
Journal Article
Mercer, F., Miler, J. A., Pauly, B., Carver, H., Hnízdilová, K., Foster, R., & Parkes, T. (2021). Peer Support and Overdose Prevention Responses: A Systematic ‘State-of-the-Art’ Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), Article 12073. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212073

Overdose prevention for people who use illicit drugs is essential during the current overdose crisis. Peer support is a process whereby individuals with lived or living experience of a particular phenomenon provide support to others by explicitly dra... Read More about Peer Support and Overdose Prevention Responses: A Systematic ‘State-of-the-Art’ Review.

Quantifying prescribed high dose opioids in the community and risk of overdose (2021)
Journal Article
Schofield, J., Steven, D., Foster, R., Matheson, C., Baldacchino, A., McAuley, A., & Parkes, T. (2021). Quantifying prescribed high dose opioids in the community and risk of overdose. BMC Public Health, 21(1), Article 1174. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11162-4

Background
Opioid prescribing for a range of health issues is increasing globally. The risk of fatal and non-fatal overdose is increased among people prescribed strong opioids: in high doses in the context of polypharmacy (the use of multiple medica... Read More about Quantifying prescribed high dose opioids in the community and risk of overdose.

‘It maybe doesn’t seem much, but to me it’s my kingdom’: staff and client experiences of Housing First in Scotland (2021)
Journal Article
Miler, J. A., Foster, R., Hnizdilova, K., Murdoch, H., & Parkes, T. (2022). ‘It maybe doesn’t seem much, but to me it’s my kingdom’: staff and client experiences of Housing First in Scotland. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 29(3), 231-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2021.1926429

Housing First (HF) represents a significant shift in the way that the problem of homelessness and co-occuring challenges including problem substance use, is addressed. HF interventions have been the focus of much research. Quantitative studies have c... Read More about ‘It maybe doesn’t seem much, but to me it’s my kingdom’: staff and client experiences of Housing First in Scotland.

Provision of peer support at the intersection of homelessness and problem substance use services: a systematic ‘state of the art’ review (2020)
Journal Article
Miler, J. A., Carver, H., Foster, R., & Parkes, T. (2020). Provision of peer support at the intersection of homelessness and problem substance use services: a systematic ‘state of the art’ review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), Article 641. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8407-4

Background
Peer support refers to a process whereby individuals with lived experience of a particular phenomenon provide support to others by explicitly drawing on their personal experience. It has been adopted in a variety of service contexts inclu... Read More about Provision of peer support at the intersection of homelessness and problem substance use services: a systematic ‘state of the art’ review.

Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS): testing the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-delivered, relational intervention for people with problem substance use who are homeless, to improve health outcomes, quality of life and social functioning and reduce harms: study protocol (2019)
Journal Article
Parkes, T., Matheson, C., Carver, H., Budd, J., Liddell, D., Wallace, J., Pauly, B., Fotopoulou, M., Burley, A., Anderson, I., MacLennan, G., & Foster, R. (2019). Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS): testing the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-delivered, relational intervention for people with problem substance use who are homeless, to improve health outcomes, quality of life and social functioning and reduce harms: study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5(1), Article 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0447-0

Background
While people who are homeless often experience poor mental and physical health and problem substance use, getting access to appropriate services can be challenging. The development of trusting relationships with non-judgemental staff can... Read More about Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS): testing the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-delivered, relational intervention for people with problem substance use who are homeless, to improve health outcomes, quality of life and social functioning and reduce harms: study protocol.

‘Doing the Wait’: An exploration into the waiting experiences of prisoners’ families (2016)
Journal Article
Foster, R. (2019). ‘Doing the Wait’: An exploration into the waiting experiences of prisoners’ families. Time and Society, 28(2), 459-477. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961463x16633235

Waiting is a universal experience and a ‘taken for granted’ form of time. However, it is given a social specificity when embodied by particular agents in particular settings. This paper reflects on the universal experience of waiting in the very part... Read More about ‘Doing the Wait’: An exploration into the waiting experiences of prisoners’ families.