Open Doors |
Welcome to Open Doors
What do we do?
The Open Doors team staff are employed by Tower Hamlets GP Care Group. We provide education and clinical mentoring for nurses and health care assistants working for general practice teams in the borough and others in front line patient care. We work under the umbrella of our local Community Education Provider Network (CEPN) in Tower Hamlets, which is a new initiative funded and supported by Health Education England North Central East London (HE-NCEL).
What is our experience?
All of the staff are experienced nurses with a background of working in primary care as Practice Nurses or Nurse Practitioners. The 4 part-time Clinical Tutors all have clinical roles in General Practice settings as well as their teaching role for Open Doors. (Individual biographies are below.) The Open Doors Programme has been running since 2008 and we have trained 56 new practice nurses and mentored many others that are engaged in clinical training at degree level. We have also provided courses and mentoring for HCAs, care home staff, undergraduate nurse trainees and Practice Nurses in post.
Who are we?
Vicky Souster, MSc. BSc. (Hons), RGN. PGCE
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Vicky started her nursing career at St. Bartholomew’s hospital, London studying for a joint RGN / BSc.in Social Sciences with Nursing Studies. She realised she wanted to work in Primary Care following a community placement and began training to be a Practice Nurse at a large practice in Southwark in 1982. After 4 happy years including specialist training in Asthma and Family Planning she had a break to have her (well planned) family then joined a smaller practice in Tottenham, facilitating educational programmes for General Practice staff in 1994. In 1996 she became a GP tutor working in the multiprofessional North East London Deanery. This was followed by seven years work with SLOVTS, a group of VTS schemes working together in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. In 2007 she was asked to research new ideas for recruiting and training HCA s and Practice Nurses in Tower Hamlets and the PCT asked her to stay and implement some of those ideas. Vicky then became the programme manager working closely with Marie Hill at City University to develop the academic content of the Open Doors Practice Nurse Development programme. The programme now combines a degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) with support from her unique team of Clinical Tutors who facilitate individual and group learning. The team now provides training for a wide variety of staff including HCAs, Care Home staff and undergraduate nurses.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Vicky has always been interested in work based learning in primary care and has sought to keep high quality compassionate patient care at the centre of everything she does. Her Masters was in Interprofessional Practice and her dissertation researched the educational needs of carers who look after family members with dementia. She has published work in journals and a co-wrote a chapter in a book about primary care education with the GP Dean of NE Thames. She recently wrote an article for Independent Nurse about the Practice Nurse training programme. She is extremely grateful to the Clinical Tutors in her team (and previous Tutors ); their hard work and commitment has made the Open Doors training provision a nationally recognised success story, enabling us to recruit new nurses from all over the UK.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Vicky started her nursing career at St. Bartholomew’s hospital, London studying for a joint RGN / BSc.in Social Sciences with Nursing Studies. She realised she wanted to work in Primary Care following a community placement and began training to be a Practice Nurse at a large practice in Southwark in 1982. After 4 happy years including specialist training in Asthma and Family Planning she had a break to have her (well planned) family then joined a smaller practice in Tottenham, facilitating educational programmes for General Practice staff in 1994. In 1996 she became a GP tutor working in the multiprofessional North East London Deanery. This was followed by seven years work with SLOVTS, a group of VTS schemes working together in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. In 2007 she was asked to research new ideas for recruiting and training HCA s and Practice Nurses in Tower Hamlets and the PCT asked her to stay and implement some of those ideas. Vicky then became the programme manager working closely with Marie Hill at City University to develop the academic content of the Open Doors Practice Nurse Development programme. The programme now combines a degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) with support from her unique team of Clinical Tutors who facilitate individual and group learning. The team now provides training for a wide variety of staff including HCAs, Care Home staff and undergraduate nurses.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Vicky has always been interested in work based learning in primary care and has sought to keep high quality compassionate patient care at the centre of everything she does. Her Masters was in Interprofessional Practice and her dissertation researched the educational needs of carers who look after family members with dementia. She has published work in journals and a co-wrote a chapter in a book about primary care education with the GP Dean of NE Thames. She recently wrote an article for Independent Nurse about the Practice Nurse training programme. She is extremely grateful to the Clinical Tutors in her team (and previous Tutors ); their hard work and commitment has made the Open Doors training provision a nationally recognised success story, enabling us to recruit new nurses from all over the UK.
Anne Morton. RGN. BSc.(Hons) PGCE
Independent Nurse Prescriber
CLINICAL TUTOR
Anne has been a clinical Tutor with the Open Doors programme since it started in April 2008. During that time as well as having a clinical role as a lead Nurse Practitioner in a large practice in Tower Hamlets she has mentored 13 of the Open Doors Nurses who have now qualified with a degree in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) from City University. She has also delivered the clinical teaching programme for the Diploma in Health and Social Care for the Health Care Assistants. Anne facilitates the weekly Action Learning Group for Practice Nurses on the Open Doors Practice Nurse programme and presently works in a practice in Islington one day a week specialising in Diabetes Care Planning.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Anne is a qualified Nurse Practitioner in primary care with post graduate qualifications in Diabetes, Family Planning and Non Medical Prescribing. Her special interests are chronic disease management with many years’ experience in a clinical role as lead for Diabetes care. Anne is passionate about using motivational interviewing skills to improve outcomes for patients with Diabetes and all chronic diseases. This was as a result of being part of the Year of Care Diabetes pilot project in Tower Hamlets. Subsequently Anne went on to become a local trainer in Diabetes Care Planning. Anne completed her PGCE in Higher Education in 2013.
Independent Nurse Prescriber
CLINICAL TUTOR
Anne has been a clinical Tutor with the Open Doors programme since it started in April 2008. During that time as well as having a clinical role as a lead Nurse Practitioner in a large practice in Tower Hamlets she has mentored 13 of the Open Doors Nurses who have now qualified with a degree in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) from City University. She has also delivered the clinical teaching programme for the Diploma in Health and Social Care for the Health Care Assistants. Anne facilitates the weekly Action Learning Group for Practice Nurses on the Open Doors Practice Nurse programme and presently works in a practice in Islington one day a week specialising in Diabetes Care Planning.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Anne is a qualified Nurse Practitioner in primary care with post graduate qualifications in Diabetes, Family Planning and Non Medical Prescribing. Her special interests are chronic disease management with many years’ experience in a clinical role as lead for Diabetes care. Anne is passionate about using motivational interviewing skills to improve outcomes for patients with Diabetes and all chronic diseases. This was as a result of being part of the Year of Care Diabetes pilot project in Tower Hamlets. Subsequently Anne went on to become a local trainer in Diabetes Care Planning. Anne completed her PGCE in Higher Education in 2013.
Diane Gould RGN. BSc.(Hons) PGCE
CLINICAL TUTOR
Diane has been a Clinical Tutor on the Open Doors Programme for the past 7 years. She has mentored a total of twelve students on the Primary Care (Practice Nursing) degree pathway at City University. She works five hours a week in a practice in Tower Hamlets as a Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner. As well as mentoring students on the programme she has also mentored three Open Doors students employed in her own practice. Diane has also mentored students through their Family Planning and Coronary Heart Disease Modules. With her colleague Anne Morton she has designed and facilitated the clinical component of the Health Care Assistant, Open University Programme.
Diane has worked in primary care in Tower Hamlets for the past twenty five years: in this time she has won the Practice Nurse of the year Award and the Diabetes Nurse of the year award and also has the honour of being a Queens Nurse.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Diane has a degree in Independent Practice from Kings College London and is a registered Independent Prescriber with post graduate qualifications in Asthma Care, Family Planning, Diabetes and Tropical Medicine. Her special areas of interest include Diabetes, Women’s health and Prescribing. She has experience of working at all grades in the NHS, starting her career as a Nursery Nurse. Diane has successfully completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Primary care this year. Two years ago Diane, Michele Leworthy and Angela Nagle travelled to Cambodia to undertake health promotion and Diabetes screening. She then travelled to Nepal in April 2016 to undertake a two week medical outreach programme.
Diane feels being a Tutor is a privilege as she learns so much from her mentees and feels that Tower Hamlets provides a wonderful place to work and has a commitment from all levels to put the patients at the heart of everything, providing the highest possible levels of care and enabling self-care. Diane is currently working with Anne on the HCA Diploma programme, leads on the Care Homes training project with Michele and jointly facilitates the HCA Protected Learning Time.
CLINICAL TUTOR
Diane has been a Clinical Tutor on the Open Doors Programme for the past 7 years. She has mentored a total of twelve students on the Primary Care (Practice Nursing) degree pathway at City University. She works five hours a week in a practice in Tower Hamlets as a Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner. As well as mentoring students on the programme she has also mentored three Open Doors students employed in her own practice. Diane has also mentored students through their Family Planning and Coronary Heart Disease Modules. With her colleague Anne Morton she has designed and facilitated the clinical component of the Health Care Assistant, Open University Programme.
Diane has worked in primary care in Tower Hamlets for the past twenty five years: in this time she has won the Practice Nurse of the year Award and the Diabetes Nurse of the year award and also has the honour of being a Queens Nurse.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Diane has a degree in Independent Practice from Kings College London and is a registered Independent Prescriber with post graduate qualifications in Asthma Care, Family Planning, Diabetes and Tropical Medicine. Her special areas of interest include Diabetes, Women’s health and Prescribing. She has experience of working at all grades in the NHS, starting her career as a Nursery Nurse. Diane has successfully completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Primary care this year. Two years ago Diane, Michele Leworthy and Angela Nagle travelled to Cambodia to undertake health promotion and Diabetes screening. She then travelled to Nepal in April 2016 to undertake a two week medical outreach programme.
Diane feels being a Tutor is a privilege as she learns so much from her mentees and feels that Tower Hamlets provides a wonderful place to work and has a commitment from all levels to put the patients at the heart of everything, providing the highest possible levels of care and enabling self-care. Diane is currently working with Anne on the HCA Diploma programme, leads on the Care Homes training project with Michele and jointly facilitates the HCA Protected Learning Time.
Angela Nagle. RGN. INP.
BSc. (Hons) Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
CLINICAL TUTOR
Angela has been a Clinical Tutor since 2010. Angela works clinically as an Independent Advanced Nurse Practitioner in general practice and specialises in addressing poor access provision in general practice via a bespoke nurse led triage and first contact service. Prior to this Angela worked as a practice nurse in Essex and has a background in hospital acute care.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Angela is a qualified Nurse Practitioner and graduated from LSBU with this degree in 2009. She also has post graduate qualifications in Diabetes, Asthma/COPD, Family Planning and Non-Medical Prescribing. She has undertaken counselling training and uses these skills to add meaning and intensity to the nurse/patient interaction as appropriate. She has a special interest in long term conditions management and is passionate about encouraging both nurses and patients to achieve their best outcomes via education and support. Angela is a moderator on the national web based practice nurse forum which is an online meeting place for practice nurses (www.practicenursing.co.uk) and prescribers (www.nurseprescribing.co.uk). These forums provides peer support and advice 24/7 for nurses working in general practice. She is currently studying to complete a PGCE in adult education at the University of Westminster.From 2014 – 15 Angela worked as the non-medical prescribing lead for Tower Hamlets CCG and now leads the Non Medical Prescribers forum in Tower Hamlets.
BSc. (Hons) Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
CLINICAL TUTOR
Angela has been a Clinical Tutor since 2010. Angela works clinically as an Independent Advanced Nurse Practitioner in general practice and specialises in addressing poor access provision in general practice via a bespoke nurse led triage and first contact service. Prior to this Angela worked as a practice nurse in Essex and has a background in hospital acute care.
Qualifications and Special Interests
Angela is a qualified Nurse Practitioner and graduated from LSBU with this degree in 2009. She also has post graduate qualifications in Diabetes, Asthma/COPD, Family Planning and Non-Medical Prescribing. She has undertaken counselling training and uses these skills to add meaning and intensity to the nurse/patient interaction as appropriate. She has a special interest in long term conditions management and is passionate about encouraging both nurses and patients to achieve their best outcomes via education and support. Angela is a moderator on the national web based practice nurse forum which is an online meeting place for practice nurses (www.practicenursing.co.uk) and prescribers (www.nurseprescribing.co.uk). These forums provides peer support and advice 24/7 for nurses working in general practice. She is currently studying to complete a PGCE in adult education at the University of Westminster.From 2014 – 15 Angela worked as the non-medical prescribing lead for Tower Hamlets CCG and now leads the Non Medical Prescribers forum in Tower Hamlets.
Michele Leworthy. MSc. RGN
CLINICAL TUTOR
Michele joined the Open Doors Programme as a Clinical Tutor in May 2012, having long been an advocate of substantive training for practice nurses, previously supporting a vocational nurse training scheme in City and Hackney that was shortlisted for an award. In her time with the project she has mentored five nurses who have qualified with a degree in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) from City University and many on shorted courses such as cytology training, family planning, diabetes and coronary heart disease courses. Alongside her mentoring role, Michele continues to lead her nursing and health care assistant team in a large teaching practice in Haringey where she also leads on diabetes and contraceptive and women’s health care. Before that she was lead nurse in a large practice in City and Hackney for 25 years.
Qualifications and Specialist Interests
Having qualified as a RGN in 1987, Michele consolidated her nursing practice at The Royal London Hospital, before moving into General Practice Nursing in 1990. Since then she has undertaken mentoring and practice nursing courses, moving on to gain her Family Planning Certificate and a Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice in 2000. Michele was the first practice nurse in her area to qualify as a Non Medical Prescriber and has put this to effective use in her daily consultations with clients. She is also the lead nurse for Diabetes, helping patients make the difficult transition onto starting insulin therapies. Michele is passionate about practice nursing and improving the health of her local population, along with improving the knowledge of and supporting local Practice Nurses. She has been the chair of her local Practice Nurse forum and has also held the role of treasurer for the forum. Michele is currently mentoring two Practice Nurses on the Open Doors programme and is working with Diane successfully delivering on the Care Homes education project.
CLINICAL TUTOR
Michele joined the Open Doors Programme as a Clinical Tutor in May 2012, having long been an advocate of substantive training for practice nurses, previously supporting a vocational nurse training scheme in City and Hackney that was shortlisted for an award. In her time with the project she has mentored five nurses who have qualified with a degree in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) from City University and many on shorted courses such as cytology training, family planning, diabetes and coronary heart disease courses. Alongside her mentoring role, Michele continues to lead her nursing and health care assistant team in a large teaching practice in Haringey where she also leads on diabetes and contraceptive and women’s health care. Before that she was lead nurse in a large practice in City and Hackney for 25 years.
Qualifications and Specialist Interests
Having qualified as a RGN in 1987, Michele consolidated her nursing practice at The Royal London Hospital, before moving into General Practice Nursing in 1990. Since then she has undertaken mentoring and practice nursing courses, moving on to gain her Family Planning Certificate and a Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice in 2000. Michele was the first practice nurse in her area to qualify as a Non Medical Prescriber and has put this to effective use in her daily consultations with clients. She is also the lead nurse for Diabetes, helping patients make the difficult transition onto starting insulin therapies. Michele is passionate about practice nursing and improving the health of her local population, along with improving the knowledge of and supporting local Practice Nurses. She has been the chair of her local Practice Nurse forum and has also held the role of treasurer for the forum. Michele is currently mentoring two Practice Nurses on the Open Doors programme and is working with Diane successfully delivering on the Care Homes education project.
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