I qualified as a Registered General Nurse at The Middlesex Hospital in 1977, and since qualifying I have worked in the National Health and Independent sectors.

I have 15 years of experience working predominantly within the Community and allied sectors. For ten years I have worked for Community Case Management Services, and for the last twenty years I have worked closely with Maggie Sargent.

I have experience in Case Management for independent clients, and clients pending court awards with profound disability such as cerebral palsy, spinal injury, head injury and psychological illness, to include post-traumatic stress disorder.

As Senior Operations Manager for IHG Community Services I was responsible for setting up and implementing care packages, placing nurses and social workers with clients in the Community throughout the UK and Overseas.

Responsibilities also included implementation of care management and monitoring and assessment of services provided by the company to the individual clients. I have been responsible for negotiating of contracts for domiciliary care with Local Authorities following the introduction of the Community Care Act in 1990 and its subsequent implementation in 1993.