Meet the LWH Council of Governors

The LWH (Liverpool Women's University Hospital) Council of Governors, chaired by the Group Chair, is made up of 22 elected governors from members of staff and the public, and six appointed governors from partner organisations representing our key stakeholders.

The LWH Council of Governors is a valued and effective body, advising the Group on issues that are important to our patients, members and the wider community. The Council works with the Group to ensure it provides the highest quality services for our patients.

The LWH Council of Governors is not responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation but works with the Group Board of Directors to influence the future plans, ensuring that the voice of members and partners help inform the Group’s decision-making. As such, the Council of Governors is an integral part of the Group’s Governance Structure.

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Peter Norris, Lead Governor and Public Governor: Central Liverpool

I wanted to become a Governor because I felt I could contribute by bringing an experienced and local viewpoint. I also believe that active local involvement is vital. Just like every prospective user of the services provided by the Women’s, I want the best for patients and staff. I want them to be happy, confident and feel significant. As members of the community we need to support the hospital, but when necessary we should also put it under tough scrutiny.

I have lived in Liverpool all my life and have worked for Royal Mail for more than 30 years. I am a trade union official, a member of the Labour Party and studied at the University of Liverpool. I feel these years of working and meeting ordinary people, will help me give them a voice in the workings of the hospital and the service it provides.

I am passionate about delivering promises and effective oversight. What is the point of not delivering for people? Broken promises destroy trust. Effective oversight ensures realistic goals.


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Beckie Fayne, Public Governor: Central Liverpool

Biography coming soon.

More information coming soon.


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Anis Farid, Public Governor: Central Liverpool

Biography coming soon.

More information coming soon.


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Michele Ross, Public Governor: Central Liverpool

Biography coming soon.

Biography coming soon.


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Alison Fillingham, Public Governor: North Liverpool

Biography coming soon.

Biography coming soon.


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Suraj Sharma, Public Governor: North Liverpool

Biography coming soon.

Biography coming soon.


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Ruth Nicol, Public Governor: South Liverpool

I had my children at Liverpool Women’s and received excellent post-natal care in the weeks afterwards as an outpatient. I’m keen to work together with the Trust, its members and members of the public to continue to improve patient and staff experience and shape service delivery.

I have a BA in Criminology and Sociology and an MA in Social Work. I’ve worked in Adult Social Care in Liverpool for many years including in a hospital setting. I work closely with partners and stakeholders including the Care Quality Commission, NHS organisations and voluntary services.

I’m a qualified Best Interests Assessor and complete Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments for those deprived of their liberty in hospital or care home settings.

I’m passionate about people being treated equally and receiving the same high standard of care with no exceptions. I’m keen to hear the views of patients and support them to contribute to the development of the Trust.


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Vacant, Public Governor: South Liverpool

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.


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Carole O'Keefe, Public Governor: Sefton

I would welcome the opportunity to participate in improving health services/outcomes within our area and ensuring high standards of care are upheld. Liverpool Women’s University Hospital lies at the heart of our community and to be a governor representing my constituency, together with my previous experience, would allow me to influence positive and inclusive care for all.

I am a retired registered nurse/midwife. I worked within the NHS for 33 years, initially at Walton Hospital, then Fazakerley Hospital at the maternity unit, and following the amalgamation of Trusts, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, working within both hospital and community settings. Following my retirement, I then worked for five years providing community homecare. My professional career has spanned from the provision of nursing care to undertaking specialist roles, providing care to vulnerable groups, including being Head of Safeguarding Children, Drugs and Alcohol addictions, infant feeding, parent education, domestic violence, and women with blood-bourne viruses, such as HIV. Within my specialist roles I provided staff training, policies and procedures and multidisciplinary co-ordination of care. I strived to promote high standards of care to mothers, babies, and their families, which I know lies at the very ethos of Liverpool Women’s.

In my personal life, I have three children, am a grandmother to five and a Great-Grandmother to one, whom I treasure and enjoy spending as much time as possible with. I have lived all of my life on Merseyside, believing the community voice being heard makes it a better place to be. 


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Annie Gorski, Public Governor: Sefton

The reasons for becoming a governor were that I had previously worked in the Women's Hospital as an interpreter and wanted to become more involved.

Previous experience as a governor at Birkdale High School.

Being part of the Women's Hospital by taking part in making decisions concerning various issues is very stimulating.


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Jennifer McConville, Public Governor: Knowsley

Biography to follow.

Biography to follow.


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Jackie Sudworth, Public Governor: Knowsley

I would like to make a difference to patients and staff at Liverpool Women's Hospital.

I have 40 years’ experience working for the NHS as a nurse, midwife and disability advisor working with people from secondary, primary and voluntary organisations across the city and beyond.  I developed a service for disabled pregnant women, myself being disabled and mother of two girls.

I am passionate about equality. I respect the value and differences we can all make to the patient experience.


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Vacant, Public Governor: Rest of England and Wales

Information on seat to follow.

More information coming soon.


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Vacant, Public Governor: Rest of England and Wales

Information on seat to follow.

Information to follow.


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Amber Hougton, Staff Governor: Midwives

Biography to follow.

Biography to follow.


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Vacant, Staff Governor: Nursing

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.


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Vacant, Staff Governor: Doctors

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.


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Vacant, Staff Governor: Scientists, Technicians and AHPs

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.


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Michael Hulme, Staff Governor: Administrative, Clerical, Managers, Ancillary and Other Support Staff

Biography coming soon.

More information to follow.


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Niki Sandman, Appointed Governor: University of Liverpool, 

Nichola was delighted to be appointed the University of Liverpool’s link governor in September 2021 in order to support the close working relationship between the University and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.  Through training our future healthcare professionals and conducting joint research programmes, together we strive towards delivering the very best care and treatment for women and babies in the Liverpool City Region.

Nichola began her career in the NHS as a Medical Secretary and then moved to the University of Liverpool in 2002. Since then she has acquired a vast range of  leadership experience, and is now Director of Operations in the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. She has a substantial operational portfolio, facilitating the development and delivery of teaching and research across the Faculty. As part of her professional development, Nichola has completed training in accountancy, business management and leadership and is a Member of the Association of Higher Education Professionals.  She has also completed the prestigious Women’s Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School.  As well as her external role at the Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, Nichola is also on the Board of Trustees at Wirral Hospice St Johns.


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Councillor Rahima Farah, Appointed Governor: Liverpool City Council

Biography coming soon.

More information coming soon.


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Councillor Nina Killen, Appointed Governor: Sefton Council

Biography to follow. 

More information coming soon.


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Jane Rooney, Appointed Governor: Education Institution

Having had a substantial and varied career in a number of areas across midwifery/maternity and child health, and having worked at LWH for four years as a specialist midwife and team leader, when I was offered the opportunity to put my name forward as a representative for HEI’s I jumped at the chance.

I had been a staff governor for midwifery previously, and had seen the positive and powerful impact and contribution that governors can make to the organisation.   The chance to make a contribution and a difference to a special and unique Women’s Foundation Trust in the heart of Liverpool was also a contributing factor. 

Midwifery is my second career – previously I have trained and worked in nature conservation, holding a wide variety of roles, but my personal experience of childbearing with my first child led me to my midwifery training which I undertook at Manchester University.   Following successful completion of my degree I worked in Manchester and rotated through all areas of clinical midwifery practice before taking up a senior post as a specialist midwife at LWH – focussing on vulnerable women and families and public health.   I became the team leader for a group of specialist midwives, before moving on to take up a post as senior midwifery lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, where I held a variety of roles.

During this time I also gained some international experience and for 3 years co-led and led student nurse and midwife elective experiences to Uganda.   In 2021 an opportunity arose to become Associate Head of Midwifery Education and fulfil the statutory role of Lead Midwife for Education (LME) at Edge Hill University, and I then was promoted to my current post as Head of Women’s and Children’s Health in the same year.   I manage a department which spans all education and programmes covering Child Nursing and midwifery, including CPD.  

I am also a part time PhD student at LJMU – currently writing up my thesis on unknown childbearing, and have recently had book chapter published on communication in public health midwifery, and am involved in some smaller research projects.   I am involved in various committees within School, Faculty and Institution including Fitness to Practice, Employability, validation of Programmes and Quality and have recently completed the EHU First Ascent leadership course. I am married to Paul, and have two children one of whom is a mental health nurse educator, and my other child who is volunteering with our local church.


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Vacant, Appointed Governor: Liverpool Community and Voluntary Sector

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.


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Tina Atkins, Appointed Governor: Central Liverpool Primary Care Network

My role as non-clinical Director in Central Liverpool Primary Care Network involves working with Partner organisations to support and develop services.  Becoming a Governor of Liverpool Women’s creates a great opportunity to bring a primary care voice into secondary care with a particular focus on reducing health inequalities.

I've worked in General Practice for over 30 years with the majority of my career being the Management Partner in Brownlow Health, a large inner city group of practices in Liverpool.  I have an interest in strategic healthcare management and have sat on many boards, including Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group. More recently I have taken on an additional role as non-clinical Director at Central Liverpool Primary Care Network and one of my lead areas is developing the Women’s Health Hub. I have a Masters in Business Administration.


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Vacant, Appointed Governor: YPAS – Young Person’s Advisory Service

Information on seat to follow.

Information on seat to follow.