Meet the team
NWNODN Team Structure
+Director, Senior Lead Nurse and Clinical Leads
Louise Weaver-Lowe
Director (currently on secondment to NHS England)
Louise joined the NWNODN in September 2019 as Network Director, and is currently on secondment with NHS England. Prior to this, Louise had been a nurse since the age of 18 and is both a registered nurse and midwife. She has held a number of roles in Neonatal services including Lead Nurse of a large tertiary Neonatal Unit and Head of Nursing for Neonatal , Gynaecology, genetics and obstetric theatres. Louise is the BAPM representative for Networks and has participated in a number of NICE guideline committees.
When not working Louise is a keen walker and spends much of her time on days off walking her Border Collie or enjoying a yoga class. This exercise allow her to enjoy another favourite pastime of eating out!
Kelly Harvey
Acting Director
Kelly took on the role of Senior Lead Nurse in April 2022, having joined the NWNODN in 2018. She is currently on secondment as the Acting Director for the Network. She has 20 years experience as a neonatal nurse, educator, manager and advanced nurse practitioner. Since coming into the network she has been lucky enough to join the NNA as an Exec committee member, take the role of GIRFT nursing advisor for the National Neonatal GIRFT project and is a member of the BAPM quality collaborative. She is passionate about all things neonatal and understanding the impact of neonatal care on babies and families.
She is married with a beautiful daughter and is a keen walker – a hobby enhanced by her new dog Archie.
Karen Mainwaring
Acting Senior Lead Nurse
Karen is a neonatal nurse with 20 plus years clinical experience across the range of neonatal care settings and joined the NWNODN team in 2014. She is the Workforce & Education Lead Nurse, but is currently on secondment as the Senior Lead Nurse for the Network. Karen has a passion for involving families in their baby’s care and all things neonatal workforce and education.
As a Christian Karen is often found supporting church activities something she shares with the family she loves, along with being by the sea or touring around in her Campervan.
Anand Kamalanathan
Clinical Lead for Cheshire & Merseyside
Dr Anand Kamalanathan is the Clinical Lead for the Cheshire and Meraeyside Neonatal Network and is a Consultant Neonatal paediatrician at Arrowe Park Hospital.
Career History: I qualified in India (1996). I pursued my paediatric training (DCH and Diplomate of National Boards) in India before relocating to the UK. I trained across England, with my tier 2 placements being in Merseyside.I was appointed as a consultant at APH in 2011. I have been the clinical service lead for neonates at APH. I then took over the responsibility of Clinical Director for Children’s service at APH till 2024.
Specialist Areas: My area of interest include Medical education, Clinical governance, Respiratory physiology and Simulation.
Richa Gupta
Clinical Lead for Lancashire & South Cumbria
Dr Gupta is the Clinical Lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Neonatal Network and is a Consultant Paediatric Neonatologist at the Royal Preston Hospital
Career History: Qualified from the University of Liverpool (1992). Trained in general paediatrics, Mersey Deanery including Alder Hey, RLCH. Neonatal Higher Specialist Training at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, and St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester. Consultant Paediatric Neonatologist and neonatal lead for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2004-present)
Specialist Areas: Neonatal medicine; clinical governance; patient safety; medicines for children research network lead for the trust
Specialist Interests: Neonatal infection; promoting seamless children’s care from perinatal to adolescence through collaborative working
Research Interests: Neonatal feeding/nutrition; neonatal pharmacological studies for safer medication
Ajit Mahaveer
Clinical Lead for Greater Manchester
Dr Ajit Mahaveer has been appointed as the Clinical lead for the Greater Manchester Neonatal network. Ajit is a consultant neonatologist working at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and also is the Clinical Director for Paediatrics and neonates at North Manchester General Hospital.
Qualifications: MBBS, MD, MRCPCH
Background: Dr Mahaveer graduated from India in year 2000. He had further specialist training in Cambridge, Liverpool and Manchester in neonatal medicine and was appointed as a neonatal consultant at Saint Mary’s Hospital in 2012.
Other roles include Clinical lead for Research & Nutrition, Chair – St Mary’s Hospital Audit committee, Member of the Paediatric National Organ donation committee and Honorary Senior lecturer at University of Manchester
Special Interests: Neonatal Research, Parenteral nutrition, Undergraduate medical education, QI and patient safety education
Ian Dady
Clinical Lead for Connect North West (Neonatal Transport)
Consultant Neonatologist, NICU, St Marys Hospital, Manchester & Clinical Director for Neonatal Transport, Connect NW
I have worked as a Consultant Neonatologist at St Marys Hospital since 1997,and have interests in undergraduate medical education and advanced neonatal nursing practitioner training, respiratory physiology and neonatal transport. I have led the neonatal transport service for Greater Manchester since its inception 2005 and was the inaugural chair of the UK Neonatal Transport Group. I am currently Clinical Director for the newly formed Connect NW Neonatal Transport Service, which has combined the transport services for all three networks in the NW Neonatal Operational Delivery Network since June 2017.
+Quality Improvement Lead Nurses
Heather Martin
Quality Improvement Lead Nurse
Heather is the Quality Improvement Lead Nurse for the Cheshire and Merseyside locality. Her role involves facilitating and supporting governance within all three NWNODN localities. She has 25 years’ experience within the field of neonatal intensive care, with an enthusiasm for ensuring patient safety, quality care, sharing learning and good practice to enhance the care of babies and their families. She is a member of the Neonatal Nurses Association.
Heather is married with two daughters. She enjoys family time and meeting with friends which usually involves eating and relaxing!
Claire Arnold
ROP Coordinator
Claire joined the NWNODN in April 2024 as the ROP Coordinator. She is currently assisting Specialist Commissioning with the business case for the implementation of the new ROP Model of Care, which will help to standardise ROP Screening and provide an equitable service to the babies and families across the Northwest region.
Claire qualified as an adult nurse in 2001 and transitioned into the neonatal world almost immediately. She has predominately worked within neonatal care for 20+ years, with a three year gap where she took on the role of a School Health Nurse in Manchester. Most recently Claire has worked as a Shift/Team Leader and Ward Manager at one of the northwest NICU’s. Within her career, Claire has completed her QIS, Clinical Studies Degree and R23 Enhancing Neonatal Practitioner training as well as still being an NLS Instructor.
Claire lives with her husband and Jack Russell.
Catherine Nash
Quality Improvement Lead Nurse
Catherine is the Quality Improvement Lead Nurse for the Lancashire and Cumbria Network. Previously she has worked as a ward manager on an LNU and as a Sister in a NICU. where she was also part of the research and transport teams. Part of her role is to work closely with the ODN Data Analyst to provide units and the network with meaningful and optimal data to help improve outcomes and quality of care. She also works closely with the NW Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programmes and is a member of the NNA.
Catherine has one son who is studying to be a professional trumpet player and she loves going to watch him perform and spending time in London.
+Care Co-Ordinator Team
Sarah Fullwood
Lead Care Co-Ordinator
Sarah has been a neonatal nurse for nearly 23 years, working on a NICU in the Midlands for 18 years before moving up north to become a Matron on an LNU 5 years ago. In September 2021 Sarah took on the new exciting post of Lead Care Coordinator for the NWNODN.
She has a little boy who is now 8 years old and much to her distress is a Manchester United supporter even though the rest of his family are avid Wolves supporters (Sarah thinks that one day she will triumph and he will be a Wolves supporter!) Sarah says “I have been with my partner Jason for nearly 20 years.. still no ring on my finger.. not that I’m bitter!!” We’re rooting for you Sarah!
Samantha Parry
Care Co-Ordinator
Sam joined the NWNODN team in December 2020 as a Neonatal Care Coordinator. She is a midwife with 26years neonatal experience and worked at a level 3 Neonatal unit working in partnership with families, maternity and neonatal teams to deliver a high quality standard of care.
Sam is married with two grown up children and enjoys sewing and crafting in her spare time, and has an ambition to fly a plane.
Victoria Walsh
Parent Engagement Lead
Victoria joined the team in 2023 and has a deep and personal connection to the world of neonatal care.
As a mother to two children, Victoria’s own experiences have provided her with a unique perspective with her two children both being born prematurely.
Victoria is deeply passionate about involving families in their baby’s care and her personal experiences have fueled her commitment to ensuring that families receive the support, guidance, and empowerment they need during these critical times.
Beyond her professional life, Victoria enjoys the simple pleasures of life with her family. She has a lovable dog who adds joy to their daily routine.
+Workforce & Education Team
Jo Smith
Workforce & Education Lead
Jo Smith has worked in neonatal services from the beginning of her nursing career. The first 18 years were spent in clinical roles and, for the last 9 years, she has worked as Matron for Neonatal Services in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She is currently undertaking a 12-month secondment as Lead Nurse for Workforce and Education for the NWNODN. Outside of work, she is a mother of 3 relatively independent children and a very needy dog!
Natalie Anders
Senior Neonatal Network Educator
Natalie took on the role of Senior Network Educator in March 2024, having joined the NWNODN for a secondment in 2023. This opportunity allowed her to work on a service improvement project to develop, commission, and implement a robust and sustainable screening model for retinopathy of prematurity. She has many years of neonatal experience working in a variety of nursing roles from band 5 through to Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She has an interest in research and has just completed an Early Careers in Research MSc module to complement her new role as a Senior ANNP Educator for the NNWODN. In 2023 she voted into the role of nurse representative on the BAPM executive committee and she is keen to grow the neonatal nursing voice nationally.
Michaela Halfhead
Clinical Educator
Michaela joined the team as a Clinical Educator in September 2021 and is a neonatal nurse with 30 plus years of clinical experience with a paediatric background. She has worked in various level 2 and 3 units in Germany and the UK and has experience in transport, ECMO and education. Her passion is to improve neonatal outcomes by teaching others through simulation and practice. She is also a qualified NLS and GIC instructor.
Michaela is married with 3 grown up children and enjoys family time and being active, especially skiing.
Jenny Lowe
Clinical Educator
Jenny has recently joined the NWNODN Team as Educator with the FiN programme, although she was worked with the programme for a number of years, having been seconded from Bolton Hospital.
Jenny recently became Mrs Lowe – although we’ve yet to get used to calling her that ! – and has just moved into a lovely new home.
+Allied Health Professionals and Psychology Team
Jo Marks
Speech & Language Therapist
Jo has been a Speech & Language Therapist for over 28 years. She has worked within Paediatrics & Neonates in the specialist field of Dysphagia for over 20 years.
She is passionate about growing & developing AHP services across the network.
Jo is married with 2 grown up boys. She loves shopping , especially for shoes & handbags.
Phillipa Ranson
Neonatal Physiotherapist
Phillipa a Neonatal Physiotherapist with over 20 years of initially paediatrics and then acute neonatal experience; she is still practicing clinically. Currently she sits on the APCP Neonatal Committee, which she has been a member of since 2016.
Phillipa’s Special interests are Developmental Care and FiCare, highlighting the importance of “Parents as Partners” from day one on.
Rebecca Hinton
Neonatal Pharmacist
Rebecca has worked as a qualified pharmacist across three large teaching hospitals; the majority of her clinical practice has been within women’s and children’s services. Over the last 10 years she has led the neonatal pharmacy service at 2 large teaching hospitals. Rebecca has a passion to improve pharmaceutical care for neonates and ensure the availability of quality medicines resources for those caring for neonatal patients.
Rebecca is keen to develop a national network for ODN pharmacists and engage in provision of neonatal education.
Alongside this role Rebecca continues to lead the pharmacy service for neonates in Manchester Foundation Trust.
Lynette Forsythe
Dietitian
Lynette has worked for 20 years as a paediatric dietitian and the last 7 years of these specialised in neonates. She is passionate about supporting babies’ nutrition to achieve optimal growth and development. Lynette has a special interest in neonatal nutrition post gastrointestinal surgery and promoting breastfeeding.
Lynette is married, enjoys running and making cakes when not being taxi for her 2 sons sporting activities.
Sarah Tandy
Neonatal Occupational Therapist
Sarah is a Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist at Royal Preston Hospital and has joined the network after over 15 years of working with children and families. She has a specialist interest in sensory integration and the role it plays in the development of children. Sarah is excited to help grow the Occupational Therapy workforce across the network.
Sarah loves to spend time with her husband and son. She enjoys swimming, spending time with friends and planning new adventures.
Ruth Butterworth
Clinical Psychologist
Ruth is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest in parent, infant and family mental health and in developing psychologically informed ways of working that support staff and families alike.
She is really excited to be able to develop the confidence of our staff teams to use psychological principles in their work, as well as increasing the number of neonatal psychological professionals supporting families and units across the North West.
Ruth is also a mum of three who loves listening to books and podcasts as she ferries children around! Recommendations always welcome…
+Business Administration & Projects
Romi Eden-Murphy
Business & Projects Manager
Romi is the Business & Projects Manager for the NWNODN, being a new edition to the team in 2023. Romi has worked in the NHS for 9 years in a mixture of administrative, operational and project management roles.
Romi was recently married in Ibiza and enjoys spending time with her young son & husband and their cockapoo Arne. She enjoys going to the gym, watching her son play football at the weekends, spending time with her family and likes to get away on holiday/weekends away as much as possible!
Laura Kearns
Governance and Project Manager
Laura is the Governance and Project Manager for the NWNODN, having joined the team in 2015 originally as Team Co-Ordinator. Laura has worked for the NHS for over 12 years in various roles including administration and project roles.
Laura is married and a mum to two young boys, she enjoys spending her free time at her Caravan by the seaside enjoying outdoor fun and fresh air.
Rosie Milbourn
Education Project Manager
Rosie has worked in neonates for the last 30 years since qualifying as a RGN/RSCN from Gt Ormond St Children’s Hospital. Over the years she has worked clinically on level 2 and 3 units and also as a clinical educator and as a ward manager. She has also lectured at the University of Central Lancashire.
She has recently taken on a new administration role as the Education Project Manager for the NWNODN.
Rosie is married with 2 grown up children and loves nothing better than a night at the theatre!
Carrie Fagan
Project Coordinator
Carrie has recently joined the team after working for the NHS for 5 years with a mixture of management and administration roles.
Carrie is married, has three children and enjoys spending time with her family, socialising and going to concerts but also likes to relax and curl up with a good book.
Emily Short
Jessica Williams
Programme Administrator
Jess is currently on maternity leave and will be back with us in May!