Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare
I have over 12 years’ experience of working in primary care working my way up from Receptionists to Practice Manager.
I joined Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare as Primary Care Network Manager. My role is to ensure the efficient functioning of the PCN’s to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities.
I am really excited about joining the friendly and welcoming WBFH team and working with Practices and wider teams.
When I’m not in work I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, walking my sausage dog Scooby.
Hi, I’m Áine. I am passionate about service development, I enjoy finding the gaps in services and working collaboratively to find patient-centred solutions. I look forward to utilising the skills from my previous clinical experience (including as Senior Assistant Psychologist in this PCN) to be a good leader.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with friends & family, concerts, and travelling.
My name is Vishika, everyone calls me Vish, I used to be a senior clinical pharmacist in the PCN but I was given the opportunity to develop my role to become a trainee advanced clinical practitioner. I now work across the care homes in the borough and make a real difference to the residents. I enjoy the patient facing aspect to the role and working across an MDT to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
In my spare time I enjoy reading books and learning new things.
I’ve been in nursing for 25 years working across many areas of hospital medicine including respiratory, cardiology, coronary care, accident & emergency and most recently practise nursing in primary care. The role of Quality Nurse Manager combines my love of caring for patients as well as driving Quality Improvement across the community.
Hi, I'm Heather, and I've been with Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare since January 2023. I started as a back-office administrator and later took on the role of Data Quality Care Coordinator. I'm now excited to step into my new position as an Operations Coordinator.
Since 2015, I've gained experience working in various NHS roles, including Community Pharmacy and General Practice.
In my current role within the PCN, I focus on supporting our PCN in streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring high-quality patient care.
My name is Lauren Firth and my role within Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare is Data Quality Care Co-ordinator. I have worked in the NHS since 2017 starting at a GP Surgery where I gained extensive knowledge and experience and also completed The Care Certificate which gave me introductory skills and knowledge to provide compassionate and high-quality care to patients.
Prior to joining the NHS I worked for IHG Hotels Group for 15 years in various roles from Reception Team Member to Guest Service Manager.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my children, family & friends & enjoy going to the theatre & concerts.
Hi, I'm Charlotte,
I originally joined Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare as a back-office administrator then PCN Administrator, I have previously worked in general practice for a short time .
I am looking forward to gaining more experience and knowledge within my role and working within the team to support the gp surgeries with daily tasks.
I have been welcomed into the team and I am excited to be a part of the team and to see what the future holds!
I’m Mike and I am a Nurse at the PCN, specialising in setting up and running the Liver Health service.
I qualified in 2003 and post qualification I worked in A+E at Wigan and Theatre Recovery at Wrightington. Before joining the PCN at the start of 2024 I spent the previous 13 years working in Clinical Research across Greater Manchester.
Before Nursing I was a Stage Manager. I trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and have worked at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Bolton Octagon and toured extensively with National Companies.
In my spare time I play Crown Green Bowls and am secretary of a Club in Bolton
Hello, my name is Melissa. I am a GP Assistant for Wigan Borough Federated Healthcare. I completed my Level 3 Health and Social care at college, and I have been working in care for the past 7 years.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, friends and my two dogs Lilly and Polly.
Hi, I’m Lauren, I started working for the Federation in early 2021 supporting in the vaccination clinics. My main duties were reception, booking in patients and assisting the vaccinators to document the vaccine after giving. I went to college in the summer of that year doing my Health & Social Care level 3 course and I was with the federation once a week for my placement. I now work at the federation training to be a GP Assistant, I am hoping to be a Paramedic in the future and my time with the Federation is not only developing my skills, but also my knowledge in NHS service providers. I my spare time, I love spending out with my friends and family.
Hi I’m Helen. I am a Pharmacy Technician for Wigan PCN’s. In the past I have worked mostly in hospital pharmacy however I am looking forward to my new career within the PCN. I am very dedicated to my work and patients, and always try my best in anything I do. Favourite memory so far: I have enjoyed learning more about the PCN’s and meeting the PCN teams, observing the different roles
Hi everybody, my name is Gavin, I’m an hcpc registered paramedic, I worked for Nwas for 17/18 years, I worked through the roles of patient transport services and intermediate services for a couple of years. I moved into the role of emergency medical technician and then paramedic. After years of shifts and weekends I saw this amazing opportunity, to work with a great team in primary care, as well as helping some of the most vulnerable people in the community, and at the same time, having the opportunity to have a more stable work/life balance.
I don’t have any hobbies as such, but I do very much enjoy spending time with my family, as well as walking in the hills/mountains of the uk.
Hello, my name is Tayah.
I have come from a health and social care background, working in care homes, as well as care in the community. My experience for the last 7 years has been in learning disabilities, challenging behavior, nonverbal communication, complex healthcare needs, and working with a range of conditions. I was doing daily observations and liaising with other medical professionals to monitor and promote service users' well-being and wanted to expand on those skills to help more people, so I joined the PCN.
Outside of work I enjoy scuba diving, playing with my cats, reading a good book or going for a walk.
Hello, my name is Julie I have worked for the NHS for over 19yrs as a pharmacy dispensing assistant.
During my time as a dispenser, I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the patients on the ward or counselling patients when they were given new medication.
I wanted a role that was more patient focused, helping, advising, and guiding patients in the right direction to help them manage their own health issues within the community.
In August 2023 I got the opportunity to join WBFH as a PCN care co-ordinator.
In my spare time I like socialising with family and friends.
I also like outdoor activities, exercising, walking, jogging, and cycling.
Hi, I’m Brooke. Prior to this role I worked on the Discharge team at Salford where I supported patient discharge with VCSE sector. I have had experience as a social prescriber prior to being in Salford and have also worked with the Wigan and Leigh Young Carers where we supported young carers and their families be children again and have a break from there at home responsibilities. I have always worked with CYP due to founding a charity for disabled children and their families where we support them through social activities and by creating a safe support network. I will be able to use all of my previous experience to create a person-centred environment for the people I will be working with and I am really looking forward to getting to know the CYP and their families in Wigan. The GP surgeries that I cover are- Pemberton, Marsh Green, Bradshaw Street and Newtown.
Hi, I’m Hannah, and I am one of Children and Young Person’s Social Prescribers working across Wigan Central and North PCN. Prior to this role I have worked in both inpatient and community mental health services. I have qualifications in BSc Psychology and MSc Forensic Psychology. What I enjoy most about this role is meeting young people; helping them to build their self-confidence, develop coping strategies, and promoting independence.
In my spare time I’m a proud geek of all things fantasy- films, TV, and books. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and am generally always up for an adventure
Hi, I’m Jake, and I am one of Children and Young Person’s Social Prescribers working across Wigan Central PCN. I have previously worked in community arts and have a creative background in visual arts and music. I have qualifications in BA Fine art drawing/painting, and I recently completed a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy
Within my role as a CYP Social Prescriber, I enjoy meeting and working with the children and young people to improve confidence and social participation. I take a positive and strengths-based stance on neurodivergence and I’m passionate about supporting young people with differences.
In my spare time I enjoy music production, mountain biking and family time.
Hi, I’m Hayley. I am a dedicated and compassionate individual embarking on a meaningful and brand-new career as a Macmillan Cancer Care Coordinator.
I have experience in Primary Care within a dental background of 10 years, with both clinical and clerical roles, as a Dental Nurse then a Dental Treatment Coordinator.
I have always had a deep passion for helping others and in my new role I am committed to providing support and guidance to patients navigating their cancer journey. With a genuine desire to make a positive impact I will ensure that patients and their families feel informed, supported and receive the care and attention that they deserve.
With a love for the simple joys in life, in my spare time I spend quality time with my family and friends, being outdoors enjoying long dog walks, staying active playing Netball with my local team and going on holiday to explore new places.
I trained as a Medical Secretary having completed the AMSPAR course. Since that time, I’ve worked in various specialties within the NHS, GP practice in Australia and Occupational Health in Industry. My favorite department was Oncology/Palliative Care. Despite this sometimes being a sad area to work in, I had immense job satisfaction at being able to help patients and their families at the worst time in their lives. I am looking forward to continuing this worthwhile supporting role, as a Cancer Care Coordinator.
Prior to starting at WBFH I worked at WWL as Pastoral Care Lead. I supported the international nurses who were recruited by the Trust helping them to settle in the UK. This was really interesting and varied work and I enjoyed meeting the nurses from different nationalities and hearing about their lives and work in their home countries.
My longest continuous period of employment was as Cabin Crew with British Airways, for 23 years in total. I did long haul flights and was lucky to travel the World. Travelling is my passion and I have lived and worked abroad doing a variety of casual jobs to fund my onward travels.
I am currently training to be a Crisis worker at The SAFE Centre (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination), based at Royal Preston Hospital. This role is ad hoc on call supporting the Doctors/nurses, collecting DNA evidence for victims of sexual assaults.
In my personal life I am married with a 23-year-old son and 29-year-old step-daughter, we also have a Labradoodle called Winston. We have a campervan and are often away at the weekends travelling throughout the UK. We love live music and do a lot of socialising, wild swimming and walking with Winston.