Jo-Anne qualified as a registered nurse in the mid-’80s and worked in the NHS in London for several years before returning to Warwickshire. As a ward sister in Northampton, then later a McMillan Nurse, she introduced ‘Primary Nursing’, which at the time was an innovative concept of ‘My Nurse: My Patient’ recognising the importance of getting to know the people we nursed; Person Centred Care

Jo-Anne moved to work with older people in the late 1990s, where she developed a real interest in working with People living with Dementia and long-term conditions within care homes. As a trustee and trainer for WRAP (Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project), Jo-Anne visited care homes training staff, supporting them to change both attitude and environment positively.

Jo-Anne started working for the Royal British Legion in 2003 as a Registered Manager. She led the home through its first inspection in 36 years and introduced a culture of person-centeredness, innovation, change and excellence. She is passionate about the positive impact and added value nurses make to the social care environment.

Over the years, the home worked with Dementia Care Matters to become an accredited Butterfly Home, with GSF to become a Platinum-rated home, and the home has been rated Outstanding on their last 2 CQC inspections. In 2015 the home was featured in a Channel 4 documentary, Dementiaville, and later awarded Care Home of the Year.

Jo-Anne is an active member of various best practice and research groups and regularly speaks at conferences. She is also Chair of the Skills for Care Registered Managers Network in South Warwickshire. In 2020 Jo-Anne was made a Queen’s Nurse and has been awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours List.