Thursday 12th September 2024.
This unique gathering taking place at Coventry University’s LONDON site offers an unparalleled opportunity to shape health and social care integration, fostering a collaborative approach that benefits both sectors.
SPEAKERS
Proud
Lucy Gillespie
National Professional Lead for Nursing at Skills for Care
Bio
Lucy currently leads the strategic nursing portfolio at Skills for Care, the workforce planning body for adult social care in England. The portfolio champions the profile of nursing in social care, developing and sharing narratives and opportunities to recruit, retain, and value the social care nursing workforce.
Lucy began her career in social care, working with older people and people with learning disabilities. She then worked in a variety of nursing roles in health before moving into workforce strategy, recruitment and retention, and education across health and social care. Lucy was the John Burdett Fellow, joining the national nursing team at HEE in 2021-2022 to work on projects across the nursing work programme.
Lucy previously worked for the Foundation of Nursing Studies as an associate facilitator for the Resilience-Based Clinical Supervision Programme. She is currently undertaking an MPA in Social and Public Policy.
Theresa Corkill
Nursing Sciences Subject Lead
School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton
Bio
I am passionate about nurse education delivery and diversity of placement experience for our learners to see good quality nursing care delivered across all care settings.
I oversee our Foundation Degree nursing associate apprenticeship, Degree nursing courses in adult, child and mental health and Degree nurse apprenticeships in adult, child and mental health as well as our Return to Practice course for lapsed nurses to re-enter the profession, as well as managing a team of 50+ academics.
I am a core member of the South-East Region Social Advisory Council and the Sussex Social Care Nursing Advisory Council with a desire to increase placement opportunity into all social care settings.
I am looking forward to working with you.
Esther Adjaye
Adult Nursing student - Middlesex University
Bio
During my placement in Azalea Court Care Home, Enfield Community Nursing Rowan and Magnolia Rehab Enfield community social care as a student nurse, particularly in community healthcare and care homes, I gained valuable experience and exposure to diverse aspects of nursing practice.
These placements enabled me to develop skills and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. They also provided me with essential skills in patient care, communication, teamwork, etc.
In general, my placements in community healthcare and care homes are vital for my developing a well-rounded nursing practice. They offer me a unique perspective on patient care outside of the hospital environment, which has helped me become more adaptable, empathetic, and skilled in my nursing journey.
Ashleigh Fox
Catalyst Group
Bio
As a Learning Disability nurse by background, and having worked in the health and social care sector over 20 years, Ashleigh’s focus has been on supporting people to live meaningful and fulfilled lives with a focus on bringing people back to their own homes and communities.
Her experience within various organisations, both in the public and private sectors, has given opportunities for a unique viewpoint on the sector as a whole, and how the care workforce’s contribution can truly deliver impact, as well as how organisations can better support their people to be committed to providing high-quality care, especially through a Transforming Care lens.
Ashleigh also has a keen interest in mentoring other passionate professionals who want to make an impact by being open and approachable and asking questions about what the future could look like if we took action together to make a difference.
Pat Conteh
Head of Clinical Services at Prestige Nursing and Care
Bio
I qualified as a Registered Adult Nurse in 2005 and since have worked in various NHS, Community and private nursing roles. During the last 10 years I have had experience as a registered manager for a national high tech nursing service as well as other clinical leadership and governance roles within health and social care. My core driver is to always to achieve clinical excellence through ensuring best practice and high standards of person-centred care to ensure clients have positive outcomes and outstanding quality care and support.
Emily Devitt
Deputy Director of Nursing/ Registered Nurse Manager
Bio
I am a Nurse and Registered Manager of a 49 bed nursing home, that specialises in High dependency nursing and general nursing. I am also currently assisting our Director of Nursing, and covering for her in her absence.
I am passionate about social care, and the importance of quality training and development. I am proud to be part of an organisation with staff training at the heart of its ethos, with 34 Registered Nurses already trained and a further 40 in training.
Faye Anderson
Registered Nurse Manager, Risedale Estates
Bio
My name is Faye Anderson, I live in the Barrow-in-Furness area with my husband and currently work as a Registered Nurse Manager at Risedale Estates Limited.
I began working for Risedale in 2012 as a health care assistant and instantly loved the work, the atmosphere, and the company’s values, including its dedication to providing great care.
I began studying for the Assistant Practitioner foundation degree in 2013, which was funded by Risedale. After completing it, I enrolled in the General Nurse top-up degree, which was three years of part-time study and again funded by Risedale. Since then, I have worked as a Registered Nurse, Senior Nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager, and now Registered Manager of a dementia home.
I truly believe there are great opportunities for amazing careers and work satisfaction within the social care sector, and whilst working at Risedale, I have completed work at local schools, colleges, local career fairs and with the local NHS trust to promote social care careers.
Abbie Cliffe
Clinical Lead at Cavalry Healthcare – Complex Care
Bio
My role is Clinical Lead for Cavalry Healthcare, overseeing the clinical care provided across our Care Services Division.
I’m a paediatric nurse, and I spent the first part of my career in paediatric intensive care before moving into complex care in the community in 2020.
We support children and adults with complex health needs to stay well at home, where they belong.
My role is to ensure we deliver high-level clinical care, but I’m also very passionate about supporting our service users in their day-to-day activities, meeting their needs as individuals rather than just their clinical needs.
Chika Obasi -BSc (Nursing), RN, RMN
Charge Nurse 2, Dialectical and behavioural therapist
Bio
Chika Obasi is a charge nurse and therapist at Elysium Healthcare with dual mental health and adult nursing qualifications. She has almost ten years of experience and is an alumni of Florence Nightingale foundation.
Chika is also a member of the Social Care Nursing Advisory Council and holds various certifications, including First Aider and Care certificate assessor. She values education and learning and uses her charismatic personality to help the growth and development of newly qualified nurses.
She has diverse interests, including self-development, outdoor activities, traveling, games, puzzles, and volunteering. She volunteered as part of the medical team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Preeti Hamal
Abbey Ravenscroft Park Nursing Home
Deputy Manager
Bio
Preeti Hamal grew up in Nepal and has been living in England for a decade. She has the background of intensive and cardiac nursing. She has worked in both NHS and social care as Registered Nurse in London. She is currently Deputy Manager in a Nursing Home in Barnet.
She is passionate advocate of nursing education and leadership in Adult Social Care. She is proud Florence Nightingale Foundation Alumni. She is involved in NCL Nursing Advisory Council and is a council member for Social Care Nursing Advisory Council.
Samantha Crawley
Chief Executive Officer, Bracebridge Care Group &
Director of the Outstanding Society
Bio
Samantha is a positive, proactive, and dynamic professional. She has a highly successful background spanning over 20 years in sales, marketing, operational delivery and business development within the care home sector. A Master NLP Practitioner, Hypnotherapy and Business Coach, Samantha loves to share information and mentor future leaders.
Having held senior positions in the sector’s larger providers, such as Barchester Healthcare, Anchor Trust, Sanctuary Group and Excelcare, Samantha has the ideal experience to develop the Bracebridge Care portfolio – and the knowledge required to ensure its success.
Samantha is a non-exec Director of The Outstanding Society, Samantha was awarded The Social Care Leadership award in 2023 and in 2024 was awarded the Leading Women in Care Award – Businesswoman of the year (Care Homes). Samantha was awarded the Chief Nurse Social Care Award in December 2022 for people who go above and beyond their roles.
Ruth French
Director of Operations, Stow Healthcare &
Director of the Outstanding Society
Bio
Prior to joining Stow Healthcare in 2011, Ruth spent a decade working for Central Government (Department for Trade and Industry, later Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Cabinet Office) in London. Ruth led government policy on Trade and Climate Change and Gas Supply Infrastructure amongst other roles. She was part of the European Secretariat, headed by the Prime Minister’s Europe Advisor, which oversaw the UK’s Presidency of the EU in 2005.
Since joining Stow Healthcare, a family business that she runs with her brother, Ruth has been focused on change management. Stow Healthcare generally acquires failed homes and turns them into homes with an Outstanding rating. Four of Stow’s eight homes are now rated Outstanding. Ruth’s background in policy making and people management have supported the phenomenal growth of the company. Her focus is on providing a family feel, quality care, and staff who are passionate about their career.
During the course of decade, Stow Healthcare has been recognised at national level, winning Care Provider/Care Group of the Year multiple times. Ruth was named Operations Manager of the Year in 2016, and Rising Star of the Year at the 2021 Laing Buisson awards. Ruth has also been part of national Workforce Development award success, which is something she is passionate about.
Ruth holds an honours degree in German and Italian with European Studies and a L5 qualification in Health and Social Care Leadership
Dr Zena Aldridge RMHN MA FRSA
Social Care Nurse Fellow - NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Office
Bio
Zena’s career in health and social care has spanned across four decades, initially in domiciliary care and as a nursing auxiliary in acute and community settings, before undertaking her nurse training in 2003.
She has relished the challenge of less traditional roles throughout her career but always with a keen focus on improving the outcomes and experiences of care for older people, people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Zena qualified as a mental health nurse in 2003, completing an MA in Mental Health 2013. She completed her PhD studies at De Montfort University with her thesis “Relationships, morality and emotion: Their impact and influence on nursing home staff decision-making when a resident with advanced dementia deteriorates” in 2022.
Given her various areas of interest, skills and experience, Zena holds a portfolio of roles, including Social Care Nurse Fellow NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Office, NICHE Leeds Research Fellow, University of Leeds, Regional Clinical Lead (dementia) NHS England, Consultant Editor Nursing Older People RCNi and independent Dementia Nurse Consultant.
Zoë Fry – OBE. BSc – RN
Outstanding Society Director, SCNAAC Chair South East Region
Bio
Zoë’s love for the older generation started in her teens when she worked in nursing homes as a care assistant. This led her to train to become a nurse and start her career initially in the NHS. She had several clinical roles, working her way up to become a ward sister and then a Matron in Medicine while working on her Nursing Degree. Zoë then became a General Manager in the NHS, where she gained many business management skills. In 2008, Zoë completed the purchase of Valerie Manor, a small residential home registered for 15 residents. She soon extended and managed the project, extending the home to 23 beds and becoming dual-registered to provide much-needed nursing care.
In 2015, Zoë was delighted that Valerie Manor became the first home in West Sussex to receive an Outstanding rating from the CQC and then again in 2017, receiving an Outstanding rating in 4 out of 5 of the KLOE’s including ‘safe’.
While owning Valerie Manor the team won several awards including the National Care team of the year, Independent Individual Care Home, Care Home Innovation and Best Nursing Care.
In 2021 Zoë made the difficult decision to sell Valerie Manor and focus on the Outstanding Society and be a positive voice for the Social Care profession.
In 2023 Zoe was recognised for Services in Social Care and Services to Nursing by being awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List. Zoe feels privileged to work in Social Care.
Darren Pitcher
Group Operations and Commissioning Manager at Bracebridge Care
Bio
Darren Pitcher is a seasoned leader in adult social care, currently the Group Commissioning and Operations Lead at Bracebridge Care.
Previously at Loveday & Co, he commissioned three new homes, including one that achieved an outstanding CQC rating on its first inspection.
He believes in using technology to enhance people-centred care and ensure safety while encouraging positive risk-taking.
Darren has also collaborated on research projects with universities and research organizations to improve outcomes for people using adult social care services.
His roles at Care UK and Bupa involved overseeing and driving quality improvements across extensive portfolios throughout the UK
Prof. Laura Shallcross MBE
Director of the Institute of Health Informatics University College London
Bio
Laura Shallcross MBE is National Institute of Health and Care (NIHR) Professor of Public health and Director of the UCL Institute of Health Informatics.
She led the national VIVALDI (COVID-19 in care homes) study which informed the public health response to COVID-19 in care homes, and was a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) Social Care working group.
Laura leads a collaborative, inter-disciplinary programme of research which is focused on reducing the impact of infections, outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance in health and social care.
Her research is delivered in partnership with patients, care home residents, their relatives, care home staff, and care providers. She is strongly committed to translating research findings into policy and practice and works closely with national policymakers.
Kate Meacock
Campaigner , Rights for Residents
Bio
Kate Meacock is one of the founding members of the grass roots campaign group, Rights for Residents.
Motivated by personal experience, Kate’s mother was in her nursing home for over 8.5 years, the campaign connected with thousands of families affected during the pandemic and united the voices of many to speak out on behalf of those who could not be heard.
The campaign continues to lobby for ‘Gloria’s Law’, the legal right to maintain contact with at least one care supporter, as well as offering peer support, challenging all to listen to the voices of residents and their families and promoting best practice.
Mike Slator
Project Specialist - The Outstanding Society
Bio
Mike Slator is a dedicated Superintendent Pharmacist, Education Lead for Pharmacy and latterly Project Support Specialist for The Outstanding Society.
He has been a practising pharmacist since 2006. His career has been marked by a strong commitment to education and patient care, building close relationships with the community, local GPs and federations, and other healthcare professionals.
Mike is known for his dedication to improving pharmacy services and advancing healthcare excellence in his roles, with a specific interest in research.
Graeme Childe
Senior Surveillance Transformation Lead - UK Health Security Agency
Bio
Graeme has worked for nine Government Departments and Agencies, leading on policy development and programme delivery and overseeing organisational change and data governance over a period of more than twenty years.
In addition, he has worked in other roles for the private sector and academia and has been self-employed. Since October 2020, he has been involved in the development of new health and community surveillance studies, including VIVALDI Adult Social Care, REACT, and the Winter COVID Infection Study, while working at NHS Test and Trace and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Louise Keane
Nurse Educator Lead for North Central London (NCL) Adult Social Care.
Bio
Working as a nurse for 35 years across all sectors in the UK and overseas. Her roles have included being a Care Quality Commission inspector (CQC), service manager in a local authority and setting up and managing a step downward in NCL during covid-19.
Her team have won 3 national awards, HSJ and the Burdett nursing award. She recently received the Karen Downs Lifetime Achievement Award from NHS innovation collaborative for digital health.
Using her experience in Health and Social Care, Louise and her team of nurses have rolled out digital technology and education into ASC in NCL.