Meet the team

We have a dedicated multi-disciplinary team providing high quality care for sick and premature babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

We have a firm belief in learning and professional development, and we ensure that a motivated and enthusiastic team is caring for your baby.

Consultant Neonatologists

These are the most senior doctors and head a team of other doctors and nurse practitioners. They have overall responsibility for babies on the unit.

Each consultant has their own areas of particular interest, and lead a ward round each day when the management and care of the baby is discussed.

Professor Howard Clark (Research Lead)|
Dr Helen Fielder|
Dr Mike Hall (Clinical Lead)|
Dr Robert Ironton|
Dr Alyson O'Donnell (Neonatal Network Clinical Lead)|
Dr Freya Pearson|
Dr Victoria Puddy|

Consultant Paediatric Surgeons

These are senior surgeons who perform any surgical procedures. They work closely with the clinical surgical nurse specialist.

Mr David Burge (Neonatal lead)
|Mr Mervyn Griffiths|
Dr Lara Kitteringham|
Mr Robert Wheeler|
Mr Pat Malone (Urology)|
Mr Henrik Steinbrecher (Urology)|
Mr Mike Stanton|

Unit manager

This is the person who makes sure the department runs smoothly.

Carol Woolridge

Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs)

These staff are experienced neonatal nurses who have studied the care of sick infants. Their job is similar to that of a doctor, so they are responsible for the medical management of the babies. They perform some procedures and are qualified to prescribe medication.

Kelly Rutherford
Ailsa Hutchinson
Shirley Lindsay
Victoria Payne

Clinical education

These staff are responsible for the continuing training of intensive care medical staff, such as the nurses and physios. Nursing staff undergo a rigourous training programme before joining NICU and are kept up to date with latest techniques and developments.

Helen Creedon
Susan Logan
Helene Charlton

Surgical nurse specialist

The surgical nurse specialist works with babies who are having surgery and liaises with their families.

Melanie Drewett

Family care support sister

These nursing staff are responsible for providing support to the family. This may include emotional support and helping families find accommodation or bereavement counselling.

Lisa Leppard
Sandra Edwards (Surgery)

Technician

The technician ensures that the vital NICU equipment and machinery is safe and operating correctly.

Ian Chapman

Paediatric physiotherapist

Most babies need physiotherapy to help their breathing or improve their limb movement and natural growth and development. The physiotherapist will visit these babies on the unit and may also see them as outpatients.

Denise Hart

Pharmacist

The pharmacist puts together, checks and dispenses medication for sick and premature infants. They will carry out regular ward rounds to ensure medication is appropriate for each baby.

Amanda Bevan

Dietician

Anita Emms

Speech and language therapist

Lucy Cuthbertson

Liaison health visitor

The liaison health visitor works with families who have been allowed to take their babies home.

Margaret Hanson

Breast feeding support

Some woman need help and support with breastfeeding. These staff run regular clinics to give advice to women, both in the hospital and in the community. They are also responsible for running the unit's Milk Bank.

Sandy Jackson
Jess McFarlane
Anita Holloway-Moger

Social work team

These staff are part of the paediatric social work team, and work with families to talk through emotional aspects of having a baby in NICU, as well as the practicalities of the long-term care of the child.

Pauline Hilton
Carmel Sweeney

Chaplain

A member of the hospital's chaplaincy| works closely with families with a baby in NICU to offer spiritual and emotional support. They see members of all faiths and religions, including people with no religion.

Karen MacKinnon

Administrative staff

These people will book appointments, send out letters and ensure the smooth management of the unit's administration.

Heather Grayer (ward administrator)
Karen White (Data Clerk)
Lesley Freemantle
Janice Windebank