Michelle qualified as a registered general nurse in 1986 from the Scunthorpe and Goole School of Nursing. Michelle worked at Scunthorpe General Hospital in both surgery and adult medicine for 10 years caring for patients that were end of life from both cancer and non-cancer diagnoses.
Michelle worked as a research nurse supporting patients with extensive heart failure, this supported Michelle’s decision to commence a degree with the Open University and complete a course in the care of the dying.
In 1999 Michelle commenced work at Lincoln County Hospital, caring for patients in adult medicine including those with renal failure. Michelle joined the hospital at night team as a night sister and developed her extended scope clinical skills to support patients and staff.
In 2001 Michelle decided to utilise her extensive experience and practical skills differently and was successful in gaining a training post with West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust as a student nurse practitioner. Michelle undertook a degree in Autonomous Practice at the University of Hull and worked in the newly established Lincolnshire Out of Hours Service as a nurse practitioner and manager. The role took Michelle into patient’s homes and highlighted that care for end of life was often poorly organised. Michelle developed a simple system to support improved access for end of life patients during the out of hours period.
Michelle worked for Lincolnshire Community Health Services in senior clinical management roles and made a decision to join St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice in 2013.
Michelle worked as a General Manager for the South of the County and supported the operational management and development of both clinical and non-clinical services in the portfolio. Michelle supported many developments during her role as General Manager, including the redesign of the responsive needs tool, supporting transformational change within the family support services team and supporting the development of the Hospice in the Hospital including the development of the Units operational policy. Michelle established good links and excellent working relationships with the South West Clinical Commissioners.
In June 2015 Michelle was appointed to the role of Director of Patient Care to manage clinical services including the Inpatient Unit and the Palliative Care Co-ordination Centre. Michelle is the Registered Manager, Accountable Officer and responsible for infection control for the organisation.