Our Nurse Specialists

 Lorna is the lead nurse for the adult congenital service based at the Freeman hospital. She works alongside Sam and Deb to support adults and their families throughout their congenital heart disease journey's.  

Sam is the newest member of the adult congenital team, she works alongside Lorna & Deb to support adults and their families throughout their congenial heart disease journeys. 

Deb is the Fontan nurse specialist based at the Freeman Hospital currently supported by CHUF, the first position of its kind in the UK. Deb works with children, adults and their families ensuring regular heart and liver investigations are performed.  

  Debbie is the lead children's cardiac nurse specialist. Together with Debs and Jacqui she supports families from antenatal diagnosis through surgery and lifestyle support to transition into adult services.  

Jacqui is a nutrition nurse specialist supporting patients and families with early intervention and monitoring. She provides support, advice and education on nutrition and living with CHD. 

  Claire is currently children’s ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and Heart Failure Nurse Specialist. Being a specialist in this area, she is able to prepare families for this demanding therapy, giving education and emotional support. Claire co-ordinates the many aspects of inpatient care, and where possible prepare the family and co-ordinate the discharge of children on mobile devices. The role had a large scope of autonomy in making decisions and acting as an advocate for patients and their families. 

 Debs is a children's cardiac nurse specialist who has been funded by CHUF to lead complex discharges of children with a congenital heart condition.

 Vicki Russel is leading on coordinating the surgical pathway to enhance patient and family experience from planning surgery, admission through to discharge.   

 Mandy Hazel has recently joined the specialist nurse team leaving a long career in PICU as ward manager. Mandy is there to offer support to young people with a congenital heart condition, and their families, as they move to adult services. This support will include education, signposting and advice to navigate adolescence and young adulthood with a lifelong health condition 

Cat has a background in Paediatric Intensive Care and works as a valued team member providing support, education and advice to patients, carers and other professionals

Julie is the longest serving Transplant Team member and now takes a lead in service development 

Terry is the lead Transplant Nurse Specialist with many years' experience of supporting patients, families and other professionals through their transplant journey and on into adult services

Antonia has a background in Paediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care before she joined the Transplant Team. Antonia takes a lead role in supporting children who have undergone heart or lung transplantation to achieve their potential and manage their health needs