Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Colorectal Nursing (2001), Diploma Nutrition (2001), MSc Nutrition Support (2004)
RCN Number: 82C2294E
Clinical Areas of Interest: Intestinal failure and Nutrition
Regional Chapter: North West Thames
Biography
After qualifying as a Registered Nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital London in the mid 80’s I worked for a number of years in gastroenterology and colorectal nursing. I began working at St Mark’s Hospital in 1997 first as a Staff Nurse, then Sister, and became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nutrition and Intestinal Failure in 1999. I subsequently held lead Nutrition Nurse Specialist posts at Barts and the London and Guy’s and St Thomas’. I returned to St Mark’s as Nurse Consultant in Nutrition and Intestinal Failure in 2008, and was an Honorary Lecturer at the Burdett Institute of Gastrointestinal Nursing until its closure in 2011. I hold a BSc (Hons 1st class) in Colorectal Nursing, a Diploma (with distinction) in Human Nutrition and an MSc (with commendation) in Nutrition Support.
I have a special interest in patient safety associated with the delivery of nutrition support and have presented widely at both national and international conferences. My work on the validity and reliability of pH indicators in assessing nasogastric tube position was awarded best original communication at the 2013 BAPEN annual conference. In 2014 my work on the effect of 70% isopropyl alcohol port protection in reducing catheter related infection in patients on home parenteral nutrition was awarded 2nd prize at the annual National Nutrition Nurses Group Conference.
I was the recipient of the Complete Nutrition Geoff Simonett Commitment to Patient Care award in 2013, 3rd prize Nutrition Nurse of the Year in the BJN Nursing Awards 2014 for my work on nasogastric tube safety, Runner up in LNWH Caring Excellence Pride in our Staff awards 2015, winner of the National Nutrition Nurse Group Pamela Harris medal 2016 for my work on remote monitoring of home parenteral nutrition infusions, and runner Nutrition Nurse of the Year in the BJN Nursing Awards 2022 for mentoring.
I am a member of the following organisations;
• British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN)
• European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN)
• American Society of Parenteral and Entera Nutrition (ASPEN)
• Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (AUSPEN)
I sit on the following committees;
• National Home Parenteral Nutrition Stakeholders Group (Chair). This is an NHSE appointed group who work with NHSE to set and monitor the specifications required of home parenteral nutrition providers.
• National home parenteral nutrition Clinical Advice and Management Group
• Colorectal Clinical Reference Group (co opted member representing the home parenteral nutrition stakeholders).
• National Nurse Nutrition Group (co opted member representing the home parenteral nutrition stakeholders).
• British Intestinal Failure Alliance (BIFA)
• Looking into the requirements of equipment (LITRE) patient group for which I am the clinician representative
• ACPGBI Intestinal Failure sub committee
Additional information
• Inaugural chair of the Nasogastric Special Interest Group, a sub group of BAPEN
• Previous member of the BAPEN programme committee
• Previous member of the e-Bans (British Artificial Nutrition Survey) and IF Registry committee