Alison Fox

BSc, RGN

Introduction
I qualified as general nurse and obtained a Diploma in Nursing Studies from North Staffordshire College of Nursing & Midwifery (accredited to Keele University) in 1993. Following my initial general experience I have specialised in Care of the Elderly and currently hold the post of Patient Pathway Coordinator, Health Services for the Elderly at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust.

Professional Affiliations
Royal College of Nursing

Professional Education
Registration Number: NMC 90J2018E
2005     BSc Honours Nursing Studies Upper 2nd Class - Middlesex University
2004     Ethics In Professional Practice - Middlesex University
2003     Accountability & Law - Middlesex University
2003     RCN Clinical Leadership Programme - Royal Free NHS Trust
2002     A24 Advanced Diploma in Medical Nursing (3 modules) - Middlesex University
1999     ENB 931 Care of the Dying patient and family - Middlesex University
1998     ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice - Manchester College
1996     Certificate In Gerontology - University of Manchester

Current Employment
Patient Pathway Coordinator, Senior Nurse/Band 7, Health Services for Elderly People, The Royal Free NHS Trust
Start: June 2006 - End: Present Day
Due to Trust reconfiguration of services in 1997 the H grade senior nurse post was disbanded across the Trust and in June 2006 I took on this new role in which I am responsible for:
♦ patient pathways within directorates
♦ looking at reducing lengths of stays / admission avoidance / utilizing community services more effectively
♦ liaising and negotiating with Primary Care Trusts and social services to ensure timely discharges
♦ working across directorates to ensure patients are based in the most appropriate ward areas
♦ working closely with other allied health care professionals

During the period from October 2008 to January 2010 I acted up to the position of Acting Matron (Band 8a) - see below for details.

Work History
Acting Matron, Band 8a ,Health Services for Elderly People, The Royal Free NHS Trust
Start: October 2008 - End: January 2010
This was a request by senior management to act into the position. Key aspects of role/experience included:
♦ Matron over 2 acute care of elderly wards
♦ Monitoring and measuring clinical indicators (e.g. Infection rates / acquisitions / clinical incidents / rate of falls / complaints / pressure sore incidents etc and reporting on this data within Trust
♦ Using this data to influence future trends such as training needs and development projects
♦ Clinically being a role model and visible to all staff
♦ Investigating complaints
♦ Attending formal complaints meetings with relatives/carers
♦ Representing unit within the Trust and to outside agencies
♦ Auditing care delivery and outcomes
♦ Reviewing skill mix and recruiting new staff; reviewing staffing ratios; managing performance and conduct of nursing staff

Senior Nurse, H grade, Health Services for Elderly People, The Royal Free NHS Trust
Start: February 2004 - End: June 2006
This post rotated between the rehabilitation unit (3 wards) and the acute care unit (3 wards). I managed the ward sisters / charge nurses. This role was slightly less clinical and had more focus upon the service as a whole. I took an active part in service provision, design and development. This involved working closely with the charge nurses and reviewing working patterns / skill mix etc. I investigated poor performance and conduct of nurses and on occasion presented the findings to a formal hearing.

Acting Senior Nurse, Health Services for Elderly People, Queen Mary’s Hospital
Start: October 2003 - End: February 2004

Senior Nurse, G Grade, Acute Health Services for Elderly People, Zunz Ward, Queen Mary's Hospital
Start: May 2002 - End: October 2003

Senior Nurse, F Grade, Health Services for Elderly People, Marsden Ward, Queen Mary's Hospital
Start: December 2000 - End: May 2002

Auxiliary Nurse, Long stay elderly care, Westcliffe Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent
Start: June 1998 - End: August 1990

Staff Nurse, E Grade, Health Services for Elderly People, Zunz Ward, Queen Mary's Hospital
Start: September 1997 - End: December 2000

Staff Nurse, General Rehabilitation Ward for Elderly People, South Manchester University Hospital Trust
Start: October 1993 - End: August 1997
I held the following positions in this period:
♦ E grade, Holly ward, General Rehabilitation Ward for Elderly People
♦ D grade, Birch ward, Rehabilitation Ward; post amputee, CVA & general medical problems.
♦ D grade, Acute admissions, acute elderly care and medical patients (no age restriction)

Student Nurse, North Staffordshire College of Nursing & Midwifery, Stoke-on-Trent
Start: October 1990 - End: October 1993

Courses / Events
I have run / been involved in running, a number of training courses in my clinical field including:
♦ Health Care Assistant Course.
♦ Rooting out age discrimination and elder abuse
♦ RCN Clinical Leadership Programme
♦ Management of the Confused Patient
♦ Health care assistant study day
♦ Digital rectal examination
♦ The F grade development programme

I have maintained my CPD on an ongoing basis including attending a number of post-graduate courses related to my clinical specialism of Care of the Elderly

2009     National Dementia Conference - University of Stirling
2009     Mental Capacity & The Law - Camden PCT
2009     Investigation Training - The Royal Free HR Dept.
2009     Mandatory Training (Fire/Clinical Risk/Resus etc) –The Royal Free NHS
2008     Deprivation of Liberties (Key Facts) – Camden PCT
2008     Adult Protection - The Royal Free NHS (online training)
2007     Mental Capacity Act – Camden PCT