Helen started her nursing career as a Nursing Auxiliary at the age of 18 and, on completion of pre-registration studies, joined the nursing register in 1997. She gained a wide experience in a variety of nursing specialties before joining the Queen Alexandria’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC or “QA’s”) in 2002.
In 2006 Helen undertook Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) specialist training and has since gained experience in both Communicable Disease Control (CDC) and Infectious Diseases (ID). In previous posts she has been the IPC lead for both the Army and Defence, ensuring that casualties receive the best care in austere deployed environments.
Helen has served on Operations in Iraq, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and in 2014 she was part of the UK team deployed to Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak. Her previous 2 jobs have been in healthcare governance and assurance. This included conducting CQC equivalent inspections of Defence medical facilities preparing to deliver care at short notice anywhere in the world. Helen started her current role in Oct 2022 as a Staff Officer supporting the Defence Chief Nurse, representing nurses at the highest levels both within Defence and externally.
Outside of work she enjoys skiing, kayaking and being out and about in her camper van with her cat.
