Jenny Child

I joined Harrogate and District Foundation Trust as Consultant Microbiologist in January 2016 and took over from Richard Hobson as Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) at the beginning of March.

Over the last sixteen years, I have accrued wide experience of Infection Prevention and Control in acute hospitals of varying size and complexity, as both the Infection Control Doctor and DIPC.

I also have had the privilege of being Editor in Chief of the Journal of Hospital Infection (the Green Journal) from 2011-2015.  Whether we are really about to enter the ‘post-antibiotic era’ or not, we are seeing the spread in  community settings of bacteria which are resistant to more and more antimicrobials, and are witnessing the re-emergence of old enemies such as TB and group A streptococci.  As we’ve seen recently, new viruses such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola cause extensive fear, if not quite yet the damage that the more familiar flu and Norovirus do every year.  Effective Infection Prevention and Control across the whole healthcare economy is more important than ever, and each and every one of us working for the NHS has our own unique part to play in that.

I am delighted to be part of such a proactive Infection Prevention and Control Team in both the acute hospital and the Community.

Sonya Ashworth

I have 22 years’ experience of 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 Workbook and Guidance’ for both Community Health and Social Care settings and General Practice.

Gill Johnson

I have worked for the NHS for 44 years, the last ten in my current post in Community Infection Prevention and Control. I have experience of auditing GP and Dental Surgeries, and frequently inspect Care Homes with the Care Quality Commission for standards of Cleanliness and Infection Control. In addition to auditing, at their request, I undertake informal visits to health and social care providers, offering advice and suggesting improvements to reduce the risk of infections. Other parts of my role include the joint development of resources with my colleagues to support the advice we give.

Caroline Gent

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

Lynne Willson

I have worked for the NHS for 30 years and have experience in both hospital and community nursing.

My roles in Infection Prevention and Control are within an acute trust as an Infection Control Nurse for twelve years and the last five years as Community Infection Control Nurse within a London NHS Community Trust.

Recently re-locating to Yorkshire, I am looking forward to experiencing Infection Prevention and Control within a rural environment and working with the North Yorkshire Community Infection Prevention and Control 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.

Jill Roe

I have worked within the NHS Service for 20 years. My immense administrative experience helps me to effectively support the service in a consistently valuable and efficient manner.

Bev Smalls

I have over 30 years of experience working in administrative roles. I  joined the NHS in 2014 having previously worked with charitable organisations and health and social care settings. I have two aspects to my role – Marketing and also IPC Surveillance which makes for an interesting and varied position. I also support the team with other admin tasks whenever they need.