The Senior Team

Background

Qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1985 at St Thomas’ Hospital London. I held various clinical and management posts in London and Leeds and undertook my M.Sc in Nursing as well as a variety of other post registration qualifications.

I was Director of Nursing in Newcastle Hospitals and in NHS Lothian based in Edinburgh before coming to Sunderland in January 2016

What does my role entail?

I am the professional lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals with a particular focus on Recruitment and Retention, Continuing Professional Development Advanced Practice, Leadership and Quality.

I am a Visiting Professor at University of Sunderland and the executive lead  for:

• Clinical Governance (shared with Medical Director)
• Patient Experience
• Research and Innovation
• Safeguarding Adults and Children
• Risk Management

Background

I qualified as a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Adult Nursing from the University of Nottingham in 2010. I pursued a career as a staff nurse in emergency nursing in Nottingham and then at the Royal London Hospital, undertaking various specialist qualifications and gaining experience in adult/paediatric ED, QI and service management before becoming the Matron for Adult, Paediatric  ED, Minor Injuries Unit and Urgent Care Centres.

I worked as part of a medical team at various pre-hospital events including London 2012 and have first-hand experience of Major incidents within the NHS ( Cyber, London Bridge). Since leaving London I have worked as an Acute floor Senior Nurse in Brighton covering ED, surgical and medical assessment units and Ambulatory care, prior to starting at STSFT in April 2019 in my current role.

What does my role entail?

My current role involves providing professional leadership for nurses, midwives and AHPs across the Trust. Within my portfolio are  the workforce, infection and prevention control team, Action on care of the elderly and Education/ Continuing professional development for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals.

Background

I have worked in senior nursing, patient safety and quality assurance positions in NHS acute hospitals for the last 17 years. Previously I worked as a university lecturer in gastroenterology nursing and published a series of textbooks. Prior to that I worked as a specialist nurse in gastroenterology and nutrition support, where I developed my research experience. Early years as a Registered Nurse were spent working in critical care environments.

What does my role entail?

I am currently responsible for overseeing Clinical Governance (with Deputy Medical Director), Complaints, Incidents, Assurance, Patient Safety, Research & Innovation and Quality.

My specific areas of interest include human factors and quality improvement.

Background

I joined NHS in 1977 and qualified as Registered Learning Disability Nurse in 1981, and as a Registered General Nurse in 1986 at Newcastle General.  I've had a varied NHS career working in England and Scotland. I joined STSFT in 2003 as a Ward Manager and progressed to Matron and Head of Nursing (Surgery/Theatres/Critical Care). 

I served as a Commissioned Officer with Army Reserves for 30 years, including overseas tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Appointments held included Commanding Officer 201 Field Hospital, Senior Army Reserve Nurse and Queens Honorary Nurse.

What does your role entail?

My role is to support the Director of Nursing and the organisation in the implementation of two national programmes, which are directed by the CNO England:

1. Professional Nurse Advocate Programme (PNA)
2. Collective Leadership - American Nurses Credentialling Centre (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence Programme (PtE). 

• Development of STSFT plan for achieving accreditation with the ANCC PTE Programme with Collective Leadership Steering Group.
• Liaison with ANCC programme facilitators.
• Link with national programme facilitators and colleagues.

Background

I qualified as a nurse in 1994 and have worked in Sunderland my entire career, I worked initially as a staff nurse in Haematology before progressing to Ward Manager of the Chemotherapy unit. After undertaking a Masters Degree in Oncology I was recruited to the role of Consultant Nurse in Oncology looking after patients with Breast and Colorectal Cancer.  Since 2012 I have taken on the responsibility of Clinical Lead for Cancer Services, where I have been passionate about improving patients pathways of care. Until recently I have also been an Honorary Lecturer at University of Newcastle leading the Quality Improvements module within the same Oncology Masters Degree that I studied.

What does my role entail?

Within my current role I am Chief Nurse Informatics Officer (CNIO) overseeing nursing informatics, and am leading the Collective Leadership: Shared Governance programme. I continue to act as Clinical Lead for Cancer and am fortunate to remain clinical one day per week as a Consultant Nurse. 
 

Background

I began my career in the NHS in 1985 training to be an Enrolled Nurse, progressing to a Registered Sick Children Nurse and RGN, working in a variety of adult and children clinical and management posts within North Tyneside and Northumberland. In 2003 safeguarding children became my area of interest and I took on a new role in safeguarding children. In 2015 I  joined the Trust as the Named Nurse for Children.

In 2016 my role developed taking on the safeguarding responsibilities as Named Nurse for acute services accross South Tyneside and Sunderland and I was appointed into my current role in August 2017.

What does my role entail?

My current role involves supporting the Executive Lead for safeguarding Melanie Johnson in ensuring the Trust meets it statutory safeguarding requirements for children and adults.

Within my portfolio:

• Looked after children
• MAPPA
• Prevent

Background

I qualified in 1988 and have worked in Sunderland for my entire career, specialising in critical care where I worked for 21 years in a variety of roles before taking up a corporate role in Nursing & Quality. I am passionate about patient safety and I am dedicated to help realise our Trust aspiration to be recognised as one of the safest healthcare organisations in the country.

What does my role entail?

My role is centred on the development and maintenance of robust processes, policies and practices to ensure patient safety across the Trust and reduce avoidable harm in our care. This involves collecting and analysing patient safety data and metrics and working with clinical teams to learn lessons and drive improvement. The patient safety priorities outlined in the Trust’s Quality Strategy are the main focus of my role:

• Reduction of pressure ulcers
• Falls
• Cardiac arrests
• Omitted medicines
• Improved recognition of patient deterioration/NEWS recording,
• Visibility of DNACPRs,
• Nutrition and Hydration