Sonya Ashworth

I have extensive experience working in Infection Prevention and Control in NHS hospitals and community settings such as health and social care providers and GP practices, with the aim of promoting best practice in infection prevention and control in accordance with national and local guidance to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infection.  My experience has provided me with the expertise to write the highly successful ‘Preventing Infection Workbooks’ for General Practice, Care Homes and Domiciliary Care settings.

Caroline Gent

Since qualifying as an RGN from Glasgow University in 1992 I have acquired a wide range of nursing experiences in both primary and secondary care.  Previously I was an Infection Prevention Control nurse in a Mental Health Trust which highlighted how infection prevention needs to be adapted in a less acute environment, whilst still maintaining its effectiveness.  Since joining this great team in 2016 I have gained a Postgraduate Certificate Distinction in Infection Prevention and Control and continue to enjoy the creativity of infection prevention control in the community setting.

Lynne Willson

I qualified as a registered nurse in 1985 in a teaching hospital in Essex.

My first post was as staff nurse in an Intensive Coronary Care Unit and following a degree in Cardiology worked as a Ward Sister in Coronary Care.

My interest in Infection Control developed following a few central line infections within our patients in the unit which required close working with the IPC team.

I qualified in Infection Control and worked with the IPC team in my teaching hospital.

An opportunity arose as Community Infection Control Lead in a London trust that involved working across wide boundaries within many ethnic minority groups both as an autonomous practitioner and the close teamwork of 5 senior nurses.

Following relocation of my husband’s post we transferred to North Yorkshire in 2018 and I joined the Community IPC team.

Anna Padget

After starting working life in the private sector, I have worked for the NHS since 1988.  I strive to help produce high quality, innovative and user-friendly resources.  The great feedback we receive and the number of hits on our website demonstrate the success of our training materials.

Bev Smalls

I have worked with the Community IPC Team since 2014 and enjoy a varied and interesting role as Surveillance and Marketing Administrator.  I previously worked with charitable organisations and health and social care settings.  I also support the Team with other admin tasks whenever they need.

Kath Banfield

My nursing career in the NHS has provided me with a wealth of experience, opportunities and friendships.  In the early years I worked in a hospital on a surgical ward and in an Emergency Department before progressing into Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), eventually becoming Matron for both hospital and community IPC services.  My career then moved into senior management with a 4 year Head of Nursing tenure.  I recently celebrated reaching my '40 year NHS Nursing’ milestone by returning to work within the North Yorkshire and York IPC Team.  I have truly returned to my roots and am proud to be once again working alongside an outstanding Team who are committed to providing a high standard of IPC resources for colleagues across community health and social care settings.

Gillian Partridge

I have worked as a Registered Nurse since 1987, completing both my Nursing and Midwifery qualifications at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.  The majority of my work has been in the field of women’s health initially at St James Hospital in Leeds and 14 years spent in USA working in a busy Labour and Delivery Unit.

My husband and I returned to England in 2013 where I joined the private sector.  It was here I developed in the role of Infection Prevention and Control, a role I held for 4 years.  The COVID pandemic was a steep learning curve during which I completed an IPC module at Masters level at Leeds Metropolitan University.  I have recently joined the HDFT Community IPC Team in April 2022 and feel privileged to be part of this innovative and dynamic team providing IPC support, training and resources across North Yorkshire and York.

Louise Hodgson

I qualified as a registered nurse in 2013 from Northumbria University.  After moving back home I worked as a staff nurse in a busy Emergency Department before moving over into a specialist unit for patients with spinal cord injuries, from there I developed an interest in infection prevention and control and jumped at the chance when a position in the hospital team came up.  After working in the hospital IPC team I was made aware of rare opportunity in the Community IPC Team and the rest as they say is history!  I enjoy the daily challenges we experience when working in a community team and two days are never the same.

Anna Grant

I have worked in the NHS for 17 years, qualifying as a registered nurse in 2006 from York University. I have worked in several different clinical areas, including female surgery, intensive care and most recently endoscopy. I developed a keen interest in, and more of an understanding of infection control while working in intensive care. I joined the Community IPC team in July 2023 and am really enjoying the role so far. I look forward to helping to develop our service and building on my knowledge and skills in the community setting.

Helen Degnan

Following completion of my nurse training and qualifying as an RGN in 1992, I have worked mainly within community settings, which is where I first developed an interest in infection prevention and control.

I previously worked in the community IPC Team from 2013 – 2018 before taking an opportunity to gain some quality improvement experience and knowledge within health and social care settings.  During this time, I developed a passion for not only quality improvement, but also for providing education and training.

I have recently returned to the Team and look forward to working with you all.

Larisa Beltic

I completed my Master’s degree in Public Relations in 2020 and worked as a Digital Marketing Executive for two years in Romania. Towards the end of 2022, my husband and I relocated to England. Starting in 2023, I joined the Community IPC Team as an Administrative Assistant. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic Team here, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn new things while enhancing my English skills with their support. I strive to assist the Team with various administrative and marketing tasks as needed.