East Kent

Operations Manager

Amy’s professional background is within private healthcare management, with experience in intensive care management, successfully developing a start-up business and excelling during a CQC inspection.

Amy joined Connect Health in July 2019 as a Service Manager and in 2022 became Operations Manager, providing exceptional Operational Management to Rheumatology, MSK, Pain and Injection services. Amy’s professional qualifications includes her Level 5 Diploma in Health & Social Care Management.

Amy is passionate about development of pathways and services, being involved continually in a multitude of projects supporting staff and service development for the benefit of our patients.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology

Kathryn has been a Registered General Nurse for 34 years, with her early career beginning in Care of the Elderly and Rehabilitation where she was a Band 5 Nurse and a Moving and Handling Trainer. She then worked in the Endoscopy Unit at QEQMH, assisting with the endoscopy procedures, managing equipment; including being link nurse for COSHH, and managing patients pre and post procedures. In 1998 an opportunity arose for Kathryn to become a Rheumatology Nurse as an assistant in clinics to the Rheumatology Consultant Dr Alison Leak. To her advantage she had a special interest in Paediatric Rheumatology and was therefore able to add this to her skills and development. With the support of the team, she was able to develop the role to become an autonomous practitioner; achieving competencies in administering intra-articular joint injections and aspirations and soft tissue steroid injections. Kathryn became an Independent Nurse Prescriber in 2004, further enhancing the role.

Working in an environment which over the years has changed significantly has been challenging and exciting for Kathryn. She has been able to continue to demonstrate and maintain excellent standards of care compassionately. In 2018, she joined the Connect Health team to provide care for Rheumatology patients in a community setting and Kathryn feels passionate about this model of care.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology

Alison began her nursing career in 1997, working as a staff nurse in a variety of jobs, largely within acute medicine at William Harvey Hospital. In 2004, she took the job as Ward Manager of a 32 bedded acute medical ward specialising in diabetes and endocrinology. In 2009, she began work in a new role within EKHUFT as Inpatient Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist, working there until the end of 2012. Alongside this, she studied for a master’s degree in Diabetes at the University of Brighton.

After a brief hiatus from nursing for personal reasons, Alison took a job as a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2013 with EKHUFT. She gained an Independent Prescribing qualification in 2015 and left EKHUFT to join Connect Health in 2018 as a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology

Eileen achieved her BSc in Adult Nursing in 2011 and is also a Qualified Mentor. She worked within the Neurology field for two years, before moving into Vascular Intensive Care and High Dependency for a further six years.

Eileen joined the Connect team in May 2018 as a Developing Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology and has since progressed to a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rheumatology

Melanie is a dedicated professional, with over 20 years’ experience in the private & commercial sector and 10 years in the NHS. She has a strong background in oncology, operational management and service design. She is an accomplished leader with expertise in the development of quality and educational strategies, protocol development, patient support programmes, change management, and service development and implementation.

Melanie joined Connect Health in December 2018 as Developing CNS in the East Kent Rheumatology Service and has since progressed to a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Administrative Assistant

Claire started her professional career working in Private Medical Insurance and has experience of working for several large insurers located in the South East.

Her roles have always been customer driven, ranging from Medical Claims Helpline Consultant to Clinical Case Manager. Each role has required a high level of contact with patients, Consultants and Hospitals within both the NHS and private sector alike.

Claire joined Connect Health in November 2019 in the role of Administrative Assistant and will be supporting the East Kent Team/Nurses. Alongside the team, Claire will be providing a comprehensive administrative service during the patient journey to ensure a smooth patient experience, while supporting clinicians to provide an exemplar service.