Lisa brings 37 years of experience in nursing, spanning frontline care, academia and senior leadership. As Executive Director of Nursing, she provides professional leadership for nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, ensuring quality, safety and patient experience remain central to services across Suffolk.
She began her career at West Suffolk Hospital before moving to Manchester to train and practise as a children’s nurse at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Returning to Suffolk, she worked with East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, providing care both within the hospice and in family homes. Supporting children and families at the most difficult times shaped her enduring commitment to compassionate, person-centred care.
Alongside clinical practice, Lisa developed a strong academic focus. She worked as a Lecturer in Children’s Nursing and later as a Senior Lecturer in Service Improvement, teaching improvement methodologies to health professionals at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her academic interests include psychology and interprofessional healthcare education, and she has been appointed Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Suffolk.
Lisa has held senior nursing leadership roles at both West Suffolk Hospital and Ipswich Hospital, most recently serving as Director of Nursing at Ipswich Hospital before becoming Chief Nursing Officer within Suffolk CCGs. Across these roles, she has led teams through change while maintaining a consistent focus on safety, quality and workforce development.
She is particularly committed to co-producing services with patients and families, and to ensuring the voice of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals is clearly represented in system leadership and decision-making.
Outside of work, Lisa makes time for the things that keep her well — exercise, time with the people she loves, and plenty of laughter.