Appendix 1 - Participant biographies
Brenda Griffiths, Public Health Practitioner, Bolton PCT
Brenda Griffiths qualified as an RGN at the Westminster Hospital,
London in 1968 and then worked as a health visitor for nearly 30
years before taking on her current role as a Public Health Practitioner
at Bolton PCT. For two years, Brenda worked as lead on the project:
'To improve maternal and child nutrition in an area of deprivation'
and holds an MA in Health Research from Lancaster University. In
2001, Brenda gained a Regional Health Authority Fellowship to evaluate
the contribution that health visitors make to the government's action
on inequalities in health.
Denise Henry, Practice Development Midwife, Queen Charlotte's
Hospital, Hammersmith, London
Denise qualified as a General Nurse in 1988 and worked on a Female
Gynae and surgical ward before she began her Midwifery training
in 1990. Since qualifying at the end of 1991, Denise has worked
in all areas of Midwifery, including as Lead Midwife on the renowned
and innovative 'One-to-One' midwifery scheme from 1997- 2003 where
she carried a caseload of 40 women per year, providing ante, intra
and post natal care. Denise started her current post as Practice
Development Midwife in October 2003, and is already working with
a team to raise the profile of Midwifery evident through the team's
most recent award from the RCM for "Promotion of Normality".
Dr Rob Hicks, GP, medical writer and broadcaster
Rob Hicks qualified at St Mary's Hospital, London in 1989 and has
been a GP for over ten years. He now works part-time in general
practice and also as a hospital clinical assistant in sexual health
medicine. He is trained in acupuncture therapy and takes a holistic
approach to healthcare being a firm believer that prevention is
better than cure. Rob is the Classic FM radio doctor and the Talk
Sport radio doctor. He regularly appears on TV and writes for newspapers
and magazines. An editor and prolific contributor to the BBC online
health sites, he is also the medical script adviser to the successful
BBC television drama series "Doctors".
Trevor Hinstridge, Pharmacy Adviser, Ellesmere Port and
Neston PCT
Trevor registered as a pharmacist in 1987 following which he briefly
worked in Community Pharmacy. He has over 15 years' experience in
the NHS as a hospital clinical pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Advisor.
He is currently a Pharmaceutical Advisor in a Primary Care Trust.
Trevor has an MSc in clinical pharmacy.
Donna Kirwan, North West Regional Coordinator, Antenatal
Screening Programmes to the UK National Screening Committee, Department
of Health
Donna Kirwan registered as a midwife in 1989, and qualified as a
sonographer in 1997. She worked as a Specialist Midwife and Co-ordinator
of Fetal Services at Liverpool Women's Hospital for nearly ten years.
She now works as a key advisor for antenatal screening programmes
ensuring the implementation of national policy. Donna is affiliated
to the RCN Midwifery Society Policy and Practice Group and the National
Forum of Nurses and Midwives in Prenatal Diagnosis amongst many
other key groups in this field. Donna has also coauthored many papers
and presented many of these at key national and international conferences.
Andrew Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Association of
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH)
Andrew Russell has been the Executive Director of ASBAH since 1991,
providing a range of services for people with spina bifida and/or
hydrocephalus including healthcare and educational support. He also
manages a programme of medical research. Andrew, who holds a degree
in biology from Cambridge University, was a member of the Advisory
Committee of the government's Folic Acid Information Campaign 1996-1999.
Prior to ASBAH, Andrew worked for MENCAP, developing and directing
a range of services for people with learning disabilities.
Liz Stephens, Consultant Midwife, St Georges Healthcare
NHS Trust, London
Liz trained as a midwife in Taunton. Since qualifying she has worked
in all areas of midwifery including education and management. Her
current role is Consultant Midwife with a remit for midwifery led
care at St Georges Hospital in London. A role which has much to
offer midwives and women by raising the profile of normality. Liz
has an MA in Women's Studies and a PGDip in Health Professional
Education.
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