Profile

I live with my partner near to Nottingham. We have a cat called Teddy. I like to travel as much as possible and have been to many places around Europe, as well as Canada, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand. I spent most of my career in Nottingham but have worked in London and Manchester too, as well as New Zealand for a couple of years . I prefer sunshine to cold weather. I grew up in Sheffield with three brothers and three sisters.

I originally trained as a nurse, specialising in community health. I did specialist training to become a Health Visitor (mainly looking after families with young children) and then further postgraduate training to become an Advanced Practitioner.

Although I am still a nurse, a lot of my work with patients is very similar to a GP. I see people of all ages with all sorts of health needs, from small babies to the elderly. I work in a practice with a broad range of patients, many have mental health problems. I am able to diagnose and treat medical problems independently, including prescribing medicines. I also perform minor surgical operations, such as removing lumps and bumps.

As the Clinical Director for our organisation, I am the senior manager responsible for all of the nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants and others who work directly with patients. I am responsible for ensuring staff have the right skills and knowledge to do their jobs, and that we have procedures and policies to help them make good decisions.

During a typical week I can do a whole range of things. On a Monday I might be at the surgery to do minor operations for patients with worrying lumps and bumps. On a Friday I could be doing a general clinic, seeing people with all sorts of health problems.

I am very involved in education for nurses and doctors as well as students from local universities. I help to plan and arrange their education and placements in General Practice and community services as well as teaching practical skills.

I go to a lot of meetings about planning local and national health services, working with other healthcare organisations. For example I am often asked to provide “expert advice” on how urgent and primary care services can be improved and have a particular interest in workforce and education.

I am studying for a clinical doctorate, so some of my time is dedicated to doing research.