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Endoscopy Education & Development Lead

Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust

Leigh Donnelly has been involved in endoscopy since 1995, firstly as a staff nurse and then eventually holding several nurse specialist posts, including being a clinical endoscopist for the last 18 years. More recently, Leigh has been involved in training, education and development which is now the majority of her current role. Leigh has always been passionate about training and education and with her enthusiasm for endoscopy, this has given her a very engaging career pathway. Leigh is a final year PhD student examining the lived experience of endoscopy trainees and she is an active member of BGSNA and she sits on various committees and working parties including those on sustainability.

Associate Professor

University of Derby

Gerri is a Nurse with over 40 years’ experience, spanning both acute medical and surgical nursing. In 2021, Gerri was awarded her PhD titled ’advancing health professionals’ knowledge of liver disease’. In 2022, Gerri was promoted to Associate Professor in Advancing Practice by the University of Derby and lectures on MSc advanced practice programme and mentors PhD students. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Current research interest is liver disease and with a focus on metabolic health. In 2021 Gerri, won 2021 BJN Nurse of Year for published guidelines on venesection. In addition to this Gerri works as a Commissioner for the Commission on Human Medicines which advises Ministers on the safety and efficacy of medicines.

RM, BSc (hons) Midwifery, MSc Midwifery, MRes, PhD

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Helen is a clinical academic midwife, working as the Clinical Lead for Nursing and Midwifery Research and Innovation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. She qualified as midwife in 2003. She is an honorary assistant professor at the University of Nottingham and is on the editorial board for a midwifery journal. Her research interest is around pregnancy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and for her PhD she explored the experiences of pregnancy for women living with IBD. She has recently led the development of midwifery practice recommendations for caring for women living with IBD during pregnancy, which have been endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology. She has developed an online learning package for the Royal College of Midwives i-Learn for midwives to increase their knowledge about IBD and pregnancy and is passionate about improving care for women living with IBD during pregnancy and beyond. She has published in peer reviewed midwifery and gastroenterology journals and is commences the NIHR Senior Research Leaders Programme in April 2025.

Associate Professor of Nursing

University of East Anglia

Rebekah Hill is the Chair of the RCN Gastrointestinal Forum Commitee, working to promote all aspects of the nursing speciality. Rebekah is a Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of East Anglia, having worked as a nurse in medical and gastroenterology settings for many years. Rebekah completed her PhD in 2012, which explored the experience of living with hepatitis C.

Senior Research Fellow in Gastroenterology

The University of Nottingham

Dr Shellie Radford is a Nurse Researcher with a background in Specialist IBD nursing and Clinical Research delivery. Shellie is a Senior Research Fellow in Gastroenterology, working within both the Nottingham clinical trials unit and the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre at the University of Nottingham. Shellies research encompasses the development of clinical trials and using mixed methods to investigate ways to better support people living with long term conditions, clinical trials based in secondary and primary care and implementation of healthcare interventions.

NMP Lead

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Director

WEISS Centre UCL

Claire Coughlan is the clinical lead for Bowel Cancer UK and Consultant Nurse in Colorectal Cancer at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Her focus for the charity is on provision of support for patients, health professional education and ensuring that the charity’s clinical focus remains current and relevant. Claire is a consultant nurse in colorectal cancer with expertise in bowel cancer follow-up, genetics and symptom assessment. She is currently undertaking a PhD in the priorities for bowel cancer follow-up care across diverse communities.

Consultant Nurse in Hepatology at North Bristol Trust and a Florence Nightingale Scholar.

Katharine is dedicated to improving care for patients, especially those marginalised by liver disease. Her goal is to advocate for patients and liver nurses, ensuring their needs are represented and that care is both inclusive and effective. Katharine focuses on enhancing patient experiences, improving outcomes, and creating clear pathways by raising standards and strengthening hepatology teams. Her commitment includes empowering nurses at all levels to drive quality care and develop professionally. Through her roles with the BLNA for BASL, the BASL End-of-Life SIG, and various NHS England advisory groups, Katharine contribute to shaping national guidance and advancing hepatology nursing. She also works collaboratively across specialties and sectors, partnering with organisations like the British Liver Trust and LiverCancerUK, and serves as an associate PI on the Reduce2 trial. She draws inspiration from Ernest Shackleton’s leadership, Florence Nightingale’s vision, Edward Whymper’s courage, and the creativity of Studio Ghibli. And is also moved by the innovation and passion of Dr. Joy Buolamwini.