Janine Ellul

Qualifications 

BSc (Hons) European Nursing Studies, MSc Public Health

Specialisms

• Health Visiting & vaccinations/immunisations nurse, includes school vaccinations & Covid

Introduction 

I qualified as a registered general nurse (adult) in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in European Nursing Studies. During my early career I worked in a variety of different settings, both acute and community. In 2010, I undertook a post graduate diploma to become a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health visitor), completing my master’s in public health in 2015. Since qualifying as a health visitor I have since gained a wide-ranging set of experiences working with complex families at all levels of involvement, from universal services to multi-agency child protection. As a Health Visitor I have specialist clinical knowledge of the health and development of the child. I have worked with children with a range of health issues including speech and language delay, dental issues, feeding problems, emotional distress, special educational needs, disability and specific complex medical conditions.

From 2016-2019 I was a Band 8a clinical lead for health visiting in an inner London Borough. During my time in this role, I led the service in a number of areas including safeguarding, special educational needs, disability and audits. I managed a skill mix team of around twenty-seven staff to ensure a high-quality health visiting service was delivered. My role as service audit lead involved identifying areas to audit, develop practice via reporting of audit findings, investigation, and implementation. I have extensive experience in formulating policies and procedures relating to many areas of health visiting practice and I have a clear understanding of best practice in these areas. I have experience across multiple areas of clinical practice including reviewing incidents, managing complaints, risk assessments, monitoring and reporting on clinical standards, training and performance.
More recently I have worked in vaccination and immunisation which include clinical experience working in a school vaccination service and clinically leading the development of a mass vaccination centres during the COVID 19 vaccination programme. I maintain health visiting via clinical practice as a bank health visitor and as a consultant for discreet health visiting projects.

I sit as a NMC fitness to practice panel member.  In this role I have gained insight into current issues in nursing practice across a wide range of areas and how the NMC code of conduct is applied to practice in a regulatory context. I also sit as a Specialist Member for HM courts and tribunal service for Specialist Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. I was employed to this post for my specialist knowledge in Children and Young People. I apply my knowledge and expertise successfully within this setting to aid with decision making on the appeals heard in the tribunal. In both roles I process, understand, and give my professional opinion on substantial amounts of evidence that include patient records, professional reports and processes and procedures. I have strong skills in critical analysis and identifying issues and gaps in evidence.

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.