These are members of the team that makes up the Blackpool Adult Cystic Fibrosis Team. We look forward to meeting you.
Previous experience
I qualified as a doctor in 1992 from Edinburgh University and have been working in England ever since, except for an enjoyable period of time doing medical research in Glasgow.
I specialised in respiratory medicine as a registrar on the Manchester training rotation including an exciting few months working with Professor Webb and the team at the cystic fibrosis service at Wythenshawe Hospital. I’ve been working in Blackpool as a consultant since 2006 and lead the research team, which is the biggest outside of Manchester. I’m also an honorary senior lecturer at Lancaster University.
I’ve been working on setting up an adult cystic fibrosis service in Blackpool since 2008 and I can't tell you how excited I am that it's finally happened!
About me
As the father of three children, life is very busy and I rarely get the luxury of time to myself. I love teaching my children music and board games but spend a lot of my time persuading them to switch off their screens and do something useful instead!
I enjoying reading, cooking and cycling and love to travel and go adventuring whenever I can. Going to the theatre is a real treat.
After many years of careful observation and listening I’ve decided that opera is great but ballet is pointless.
I qualified MB BCh 1998 and did three years of general medicine before coming to the UK. I passed all the necessary exams to get my full GMC registration in 2004. From there, I completed the high diploma at Sheffield Northern General Hospital (2006-2007). I started work at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 2008 and joined the respiratory team as a middle grade speciality doctor in 2011.
Having developed special interest in CF, I completed six months of training at Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service. I have now been appointed as a general respiratory and cystic fibrosis consultant. I am looking forward to pursuing my career in cystic fibrosis with the Blackpool adult cystic fibrosis service.
I live in Manchester and enjoy commuting to work , as I have done for the past nine years.
Previous Experience
I have worked at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals since 2009 where I have mainly been based at Trinity Hospice but also working into oncology services at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, until recently joining the new cystic fibrosis team. Prior to that, I worked within oncology, plastic surgery and stroke services at Royal Preston Hospital.
I am very much looking forward to working with this new team and our adult cystic fibrosis patients.
Qualifications
MA (Hons) Psychology – University of Glasgow (1998-2002)
Clin.Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology – University of Manchester (2004-2007)
PGCert Systemic Practice and Family Therapy – University of Leeds (2011-2013)
Membership
Health and Care Professions Council- Membership number- PYL22420
Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) – Member number - 129267
Chartered Scientist (CSci).
About Me
I love to travel and see new things in the UK and abroad and try new experiences. Until recently, I sang in Manchester Cathedral Choir for many years, having been in choirs since I was nine years-old.
I share Aoife’s passion for steak and blue cheese sauce – I sense a theme for team dinners!
I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Bruiser.
Cystic fibrosis dietitian for the adult Blackpool cystic fibrosis service.
Previous Experience
Qualifications
BSc Public Health and Health Promotion (Hons)- University College Cork, Ireland.
PgDip Dietetics- Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.
MSc Dietetics- Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.
Membership
Health and Care Professions Council- Membership number- DT26250
British Dietetic Association- 16033
Cystic Fibrosis Dietitians’ Group UK.
About me
I love to do Irish Dancing- yes.. I mean the Riverdance/Michael Flatley type stuff!
I spend a lot of time each day explaining my name to people—‘Aoife—it’s like EVA with an F, Eefa’
Being a dietitian, it is beneficial that I love food. I’m always interested in tasting and trying new foods. My favourite meal is fillet steak, triple cooked chips and blue cheese sauce but not every day, of course!
Cystic fibrosis specialist physiotherapist for the adult Blackpool cystic fibrosis service.
Previous Experience
Since qualifying in the early 90s, I worked at Leighton Hospital, Crewe, completing junior rotations across the inpatient and outpatient physiotherapy specialities. I then specialised in paediatric physiotherapy working at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Burnley General Hospital, evening work at Manchester Children’s Hospital and latterly Blackburn Hospital/East Lancashire Hospitals.
My roles have been predominantly inpatient and clinic based with a high percentage of my caseload being respiratory and musculoskeletal in nature. In 2014, a colleague and myself commenced a paediatric respiratory physiotherapy community service pilot project for children and families in East Lancashire. Due to positive outcomes, evidence of improved quality of life for service users and the diligence of all the staff involved, we were successful in obtaining recurrent funding. In 2015, I also took on the East Lancashire paediatric cystic fibrosis specialist physiotherapist post working within the paediatric cystic fibrosis multidisciplinary team.
I see this new role as an exciting opportunity to transfer my 20 plus years of working with children with cystic fibrosis and their families, to an adult population.
Qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy – Wakefield and Pontefract College of Health Studies
Membership
Health and Care Professions Council – Membership Number PH45050
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy – Membership Number 52033
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cystic Fibrosis – UK.
About me
I have been practising hatha and ashtanga yoga for 15 years. My favourite element is the relaxation/meditation. I am an avid reader but no kindle for me, it has to be paper, and I’m 'old school' and still access my local library! I am also a big foodie - I cook food from all over the world, however, I much prefer it when it is cooked for me.
I qualified MB, ChB, BSc (Hons) in 1983 and worked as a junior doctor at Blackpool training to be a GP.
I was a General Practitioner in Hyde, Tameside from 1989 to 1995 and returned to a staff grade post in paediatrics at Blackpool. I qualified MRCP (UK) in 1998 and upgraded to associate specialist.
I developed a special interest in cystic fibrosis and was appointed to a consultant post with this interest in 2009. Overall, I have more than 20 years’ experience looking after children and young adults with cystic fibrosis.
I also have sat on several committees with the BMA and RCPCH.
I am currently semi-retired but I am delighted to be able to continue my interest in paediatric cystic fibrosis and to help establish a new adult service for the growing population of patients with cystic fibrosis in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
I live in South Cumbria and enjoy walking, gardening and music.
I have been a nurse for more years than I dare to admit. Originally completing general nurse training at the old School of Nursing at Victoria Hospital Blackpool, my first post was as a staff nurse on the children’s unit.
I have worked in several hospitals across the country since and had a variety of roles from staff nurse, clinic manager, children’s community nurse and more recently senior research nurse.
Throughout my career I have worked with babies, children and young adults who have cystic fibrosis and I have gained a wealth of experience in this area of medicine. I am thrilled to be part of the CF service at Blackpool and excited to be working with many of the young people who I knew as infants.
Qualifications
- Registered General Nurse
- Registered Sick Children's Nurse
- BSc (Hons) Specialist Practitioner
- Independent Nurse Prescriber
Membership
- Royal College of Nurses
- Cystic Fibrosis Nurses Association
About me
I’m a good talker but maybe not so good talking about myself so I’ll try to find something interesting to tell you about myself. I’m an absolute foodie and love to cook, eat, read and watch every cooking TV programme under the sun. I also love to travel and seek out remote and authentic restaurants whenever I’m in a different town or country. I’m also really interested in photography but definitely need to practice more.
Cystic fibrosis pharmacist for the Blackpool adult cystic fibrosis service.
Previous experience
I have worked at various hospitals since starting working for the NHS in 2010. I did my training year at Wigan and after completing this year and registering as a pharmacist, I moved to Leeds. Here I worked as a resident pharmacist and I got experience in a wide variety of specialities as it is one of the biggest hospitals in Europe.
Then I moved to Wythenshawe in south Manchester and I spent the majority of my time working at the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre which is based there. I truly enjoyed working here and I knew straight away that I wanted to become a specialist CF pharmacist. I also presented a small piece of work at the European CF conference in 2016.
I am really excited to be working for this service at Blackpool.
Qualifications
Masters Degree in Pharmacy – University of Manchester (2010)
Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice – University of Leeds (2014)
Membership
General Pharmaceutical Council, membership number 2077521
Cystic Fibrosis Pharmacist Group UK
About me
I love sports, especially football, rugby league (not union!) and motor sports.
I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie and I have done a few bungee jumps, been on huge ziplines and done indoor skydiving. I would love to do a real skydive but I am still trying to convince Mrs D that this is a good idea!
I love to travel and getting to see and experience new things both abroad and at home so all travel tips are very welcome.
Other members of the team include:
CFRD Specialist Nurse – Julie Knowles
Specialist Nurse – Katie Baker-Wardle
Social Worker – Susan Ward
Service Manager – Helen Carter
