The CHE Team

Salli Jeynes - Director of Education and Practitioner
BA, RGN, RNT, Onc. Nursing ENB 237; ENB 249; ENB 998; ENB 931

I have been part of Cheshire Hospices Education since 1998. I was involved in setting up the organisation working closely with our core hospices.

Before working at CHE I worked as a Hospital Macmillan Nurse. Prior to this I was a clinical teacher and then a nurse tutor at Leighton Hospital. I have also spent some time working as a ward sister and a staff nurse mainly in the specialities of cardiothoracic nursing and coronary care.

As you can see from my career history my two professional passions are palliative care and education. I believe strongly in the value of education. To have value it must give practitioners the knowledge and skills they really need to care for and support patients and their families. That is what we all work hard to achieve at CHE - education that makes a difference to practice.

I am currently undertaking a Master of Philosophy degree which can be transferred to Doctor of Philosophy at some point. My studies focus on the feelings and experiences of palliative care patients in relation to the way their body is affected by their illness.

Outside work I really enjoy the countryside, wildlife and trekking. I love to travel, experience new places and spend time with friends and family - which often involves eating and drinking!

Lynne Partington - Senior Lecturer and Practitioner
M.A, PGDipHE, B.N.(Hons), RGN, RNT, DipN, ENB 998, ENB 285

I qualified as an RGN in 1989 and have worked in general medicine, coronary care and haematology. I moved into the palliative care field in 1995 and worked for 5 years in a hospice. I have also spent time working with a hospice at home service and currently maintain my clinical practice working in a care home.

In 2000, I was seconded to a post as a Clinical Teacher at Cheshire Hospices Education (CHE) and I am now a Senior Lecturer. This is a joint post involving working 2 days a week with CHE and 3 days working on a research project. This project is funded by St Luke's (Cheshire) Hospice to examine the end of life symptoms experienced by residents in care homes. The reseach post is supported by an honorary contract with the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University from May 2008 - May 2010. I am currently completing my doctoral studies in the form of an Ed.D at Keele University, focusing on palliative care education in care home settings.

I believe education plays a vital part in palliative care and that all staff can benefit from education both professionally and personally.

Pauline Williams - Senior Lecturer and Practitioner
Ma, BEd(Hons), RGN, SCM, DipN(Lon), RNT

I came to Cheshire as a tutor student in February 1982 and never left! I started work at South Cheshire school of Nursing and Midwifery in July 1982 with responsibility to pre-reg education, leaving there in 1987 to take up a Senior Tutor post at North Staffs School of Nursing and Midwifery. I returned to Crewe part-time in 1989 following the birth of my first daughter.

Married with 2 daughters, Andrea and Cara. We live in Winsford, just a short walk from CHE.

Extra curricular activities include an interest in cricket (qualified umpire), Brown Owl and children's taxi. I also enjoy a diverse type of music and like to pamper myself now and again.

Angela Ashcroft - Lecturer and Practitioner
RGN, ENB 100, ENB 998, ENB 931, D32/33 NVQ Assessor, Diploma in Aromatherapy, BSc (Hons) Professional Practice (Oncology), Oncology Nursing Certificate Level 3

I worked as a nurse in intensive care for seven years before moving to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester and staying for eight years! Following secondment to CHE as a support teacher, I became a permanent member of the team in January 2004.

I have recently commenced a Master of Education programme (MEd) which incorporates a Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Throughout my nursing career I have believed in the value of education to facilitate personal and professional development for ALL staff. I strongly believe that individuals need effective support and encouragement within education if they are to develop to their full potential. Working at CHE enables me to have the opportunity to be involved in education that values the individual and supports and encourages their development.

Particular areas of interest are complementary therapies, Lymphoedema, NVQ and staff support in palliative care.

Joy Tyrer - Lecturer and Practitioner
CQSW, Diploma in Professional Studies (Palliative Care), Mentoring and Assessing NH3 157 (2005), BSc (Hons) in Professional Studies

I left school back in the 70's to work in a laboratory. After several years of "laborious work" I changed direction and worked as a part time care assistant, supplemented by voluntary work in a mental health setting. It was this experience which led to my interest in social work. Subsequently, I qualified in the 80's as a social worker - CQSW. (This is currently known as DipSW.)  I then worked on a Child and Family Team until my daughter was born.

1996 I gained employment as a Child Bereavement Project Worker at East Cheshire Hospice.

During my work at the hospice I gained an interest in psychotherapy, group work, drama therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP.); I completed a 1 year Cognitive Behaviour Therapy course; all of which have useful techniques and transferable skills.

2000 I became manager of the social work department and delivered various training courses to colleagues and external agencies. 2002 I commenced the Diploma in Professional Studies (Palliative Care) at Cheshire Hospices Education. I enjoyed the course so much it proved to be the catalyst in promoting change and direction once again, hence 2005 seeking and gaining employment with CHE. I maintain a few social work and counselling hours per month to keep up with current practice. I believe this enhances the quality of teaching and educational experience students receive.

My interests are animals, particularly Weimariners; science fiction; mountain biking with my husband; travelling and culture.

Jacquie Ball - Lecturer and Practitioner
RN, DIP (HE), BA (Hons) Health Care,Practice - Specialist Palliative Care Award, PGCE (HE)

My interest in Palliative Care began back in the early 90's Nursing out in the community and on an Intensive Care Unit. From 1995, I worked in a new hospice in North East Wales. In the 6-1/2 years there, I developed a passion for involvement in Education and supporting development and sharing of 'best practice'. To further support empowering colleagues to develop Palliative Care skills & knowledge, I moved to a Community Macmillan Palliative Nurse Specialist post. The 3-1/2 years in post was exciting and challenging for both my professional and personal development. It enabled autonomy and flexibility to work with colleagues, patients and families in a way that appropriately met their needs. Believing that educational support can empower colleagues to provide 'equitable' and 'quality' care for patients and families, and provide job satisfaction, I was supported by Macmillan (and my team) to develop my educational skills and gain a 'teaching in Higher Education' qualification. From that, 2006 now brings exciting challenges in my new educational post with CHE. Keeping some clinical practice also, will help me to keep perspective on the theory versus current practice issues.

Throughout this time, my husband and my two children have been very supportive. We find time for motor biking, holidays, walking the dogs and socialising with friends and familiy.

Caroline Hewitt - Lecturer and Practitioner

Since qualifying as a nurse in 1988 at Leighton Hospital, Crewe, I have gained a lot of experience in cardiac, cardiothoracic, HIV /Aids and general medical nursing in different areas of the country and became a Heart Failure Nurse Specialist at The Countess of Chester Hospital in 1999. Working in these roles taught me about the needs of patients in differing circumstances and how we all need to constantly improve our practice to meet those needs.

I have taught colleagues a lot in the past as part of my clinical roles and believe in the importance of sharing knowledge and expertise in order to foster a team approach to patient care. My background has also given me a knowledge of the palliative care needs of patients with non malignant conditions which is an area that I am keen to help develop through education.

Prior to this role I worked for the Greater Manchester & Cheshire Cardiac & Stroke Network and I have gained experience of organizational issues with regard to palliative care as well as expertise around change management which encompasses aspects of education.

I will be commencing a masters degree in Education in October 08 and am interested in developing my teaching skills in differing environments and utilizing different techniques in order to maximize the experience and learning for students.

Carol A Rathjen - Office Manager

My working life started at ICI Northwich working as a Secretary to the Marketing Department. When I left 16 years later I was involved in the recruitment of graduate engineers in the Recruitment and Training Department. After the birth of my daughter I opted for part-time work at an Afro-Caribbean and Ethnic Centre dealing with race relations cases. After 6 years I decided on a change of direction and started work at Cheshire Hospices Education as an Administrator. After 12 months I became the Office Manager in which role I stayed for 2 years.

As a family, in 2004, we moved to the Costa Blanca in Spain to realise a dream of ours. After almost two years we returned to the UK and I started work as the Office Manager at CHE in January 2006.

Nichola Noden - Administrator
BTEC NVQ Level 2 Administration, Communication in Business Stage 1, RSA Medical Word Processing 2, RSA Text Processing 1, 2, 3, RSA Word Processing 1 & 2, Marketing

Nichola started her career working for ERF Trucks where she spent 10 years developing her administrative skills. Nichola left ERF to start a family. She has two boys Thomas and Matthew. Nichola went back to part-time work for Somerfield and also did a part-time course at Crewe College "NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration". After passing the course Nichola went to work for Reeds Rains Estate Agents for 2 years. On 20 November 2002 Nichola joined us at CHE.

 

Angela Slack - Administrator

I worked as a Clerical Assistant at ANC after leaving college, and stayed there for 1 year before moving onto work for PasTest in 1996. There I undertook a variety of different roles, most recently as a Course Co-ordinator, organising a number of events and revision courses for Postgraduate Doctors. After the birth of my son in 2005, I took up the role of part time administrator at CHE.