Meet the Nursing Team

Larchmere employs a variety of full time and part time staff. We have a very low staff turnover and have a committed and enthusiastic team of individuals which means we very rarely need to supplement our permanent staff with agency.

All of our staff have been recruited locally and have been selected for their skills and ability to meet the needs of our residents. Our Registered Nurses are trained to treat a wide range of illnesses and disabilities and continuously update their clinical skills through ongoing training including wound care. All our RNs are also skilled in End of Life care and are experienced in leading the team of care staff to cater for our Residents social, psychological, emotional and spiritual welfare.

Our Matron, Deputy Matron or Nurse in charge are always on hand to discuss any aspects of your care with you and your family.

I worked for the Natwest Bank and Customs and Excise in London then backpacked around Australia for a year before starting my Nurse training in 1992 at Christchurch College in Canterbury. I was based at Maidstone Hospital for one and a half years then married in 1994 and moved to William Harvey for one and a half years. I qualified as a Registered Nurse Adult (RNA) and completed my Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing). I spent 6 months working at Westview hospital in Tenterden and left to start a family. Following the birth of my first child I worked weekends and night shifts for a Nursing Agency based at Maidstone Hospital. I worked night shifts at Acacia House for four years and also at Cottlestone Pie Nursing Home. I joined Larchmere House on night shifts in May 2000 and started working days and nights when my youngest child started school in 2005. I qualified as a professional trainer in February 2008 and completed an NVQ level 4 in Management in March 2010. I completed an extended End of Life course at Hospice in the Weald in May 2010 and continue to update my clinical skills and knowledge regularly. I became Matron and the Registered Manager of Larchmere in August 2010.

I joined Linton Hospital, Coxheath in 1972 as a Nursing Cadet and started Nurse training in 1974. I worked at West Kent Hospital and the Opthalmic Hospital during this time and qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) on completion of my training. I then left Nursing to start a family. I returned to Nursing 11 years later at a local care home and worked full time day shifts. I spent 10 very enjoyable years there as Nurse in Charge of elderly care and left to join Larchmere House in 2001. I have had 10 great years so far at Larchmere and have developed my interest in Wound Care. I have completed extended training in all forms of wound care and I am the Tissue Viability Link Nurse at Larchmere.

I trained at Linton Hospital, Coxheath in 1964 and worked at West Kent Hospital and Maidstone Opthalmic Hospital as part of my training. I completed my training and qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) then left to work at Westview Hospital in Tenterden until 1968 when I left Nursing to start a family. I completed a return to Nursing course at Benenden Hospital in 1981 and worked on the surgical wards at this time. I studied at Brighton University in 1991 and completed the conversion course to become a Registered General Nurse (RGN). I then worked full time nights on both medical and surgical wards at Benenden Hospital and spent my last 5 years there on the Gynaecological Ward until 2003. I completed extended training in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma and maintained regular study updates on a variety of Nursing Subjects. I joined Larchmere in 2004 and continue to enjoy working regular night shifts and some day shifts. I continue to complete regular study and update my clinical skills and Nursing knowledge.

I trained at Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth, South Wales in 1976 and completed my training as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN). I worked in Geriatric Nursing for about 1 and a half years and then joined the Joint Board of Clinical Studies in Elderly Care for 6 months. I then moved to Landisdowne Elderly Care Hospital in Cardiff and also worked for a Nursing Agency at the same time. In 1979 my husband and I emigrated to Sri Lanka and returned in 1980 to work at Benenden Hospital as a medical ward Staff Nurse on days and nights. I left Benenden in 1987 to start a family and returned on part time nights 3 years later. I attended many extended Nursing courses at Benenden and left Benenden to join Larchmere House in 2004 and now work part time days. I continue to attend regular study days to update my clinical skills and Nursing knowledge.

I trained at St Thomas Hospital, London in 1975 as a Registered General Nurse (RGN). When I completed my training I worked for five years in London on a Renal Dialysis Unit and out in the community as a District Nurse. I moved to Ashford, Kent in 1980 and worked at William Harvey Hospital for the next 8 years most of this time was spent in Oncology. I then worked with Adults with learning disabilities until 2005. I also ran my own Catering business alongside my Nursing career and raised my family at the same time. I joined the Care Company and updated my Nursing skills with a return to Nursing Course and returned to Nursing in January 2009. I joined Larchmere in May 2010 as a part time RGN and am now the Infection Control Link Nurse. I continue to attend study days to update my clinical skills and knowledge.

I trained in Orthopaedics at Horton’s Wood Hospital from 1983-1985 and then joined the Hastings School of Nursing and completed my Registered General Nurse (RGN) training in 1988. I spent the next 10 years working on a specialist Orthopaedic Unit and became the Junior Sister there before leaving to raise my family in 1998. Whilst raising my family I worked as a Bank Nurse in the local hospital and on Elderly Care units until 2002 when I joined a local care home on night shifts. I worked for Age Concern as a foot care Practitioner from 2006-2008 and then joined Larchmere in March 2010 as Night Sister.

I started Nursing in 1968 and trained at Greenwich District Hospital. I qualified as an Enrolled Nurse (SEN) in 1970 and worked on both medical, surgical wards and in theatres until 1975 when I moved to the Opthalmic Hospital in Maidstone for a year working in theatres and recovery. I then started a family and spent the next 4 years working on medical, surgical and ENT wards at Joyce Green Hospital. I moved house in 1981 and worked for Rother Nursing Agency until 1984 and then left to join A retirement Nursing Home where I still work as Nurse in Charge. I worked part time at Larchmere from 1989 – 1997 and then joined another Nursing Home as a bank Nurse. I studied from 1994-1996 at Brighton university and qualified as an RGN. In 1998 I joined Greenwich University to complete my ENB 998 and also obtained a Diploma of Higher Education in 2000. I returned to Larchmere on part time nights in March 2009. I continue to attend regular courses and study days to update my clinical skills and knowledge.

I trained on the Isle of Wight in 1973, following a one year cadet course, which held me in good stead for my years ahead as a general Nurse. I then went to Guys Hospital, to gain surgical Nursing experience and I stayed in London for several years. During this time I enjoyed working shifts in all the major London Hospitals as an agency Nurse covering all aspects of nursing, including high dependency units. I gained an enormous amount of experience in all fields of Nursing during this time. I then decided to take a break from Nursing and for the next 9 years I travelled and pursued other interests and gained memorable life experiences (too many to mention). Around 2000 I returned to Nursing and settled at the Nuffield hospital but continued to work with Nursing agencies in care of the elderly which I thoroughly enjoyed. Elderly care Nursing has led me to Larchmere who have welcomed me with open arms as a new comer which I feel reflects on what this home has to offer.

In 2003 I became a carer of children with learning disabilities aged from 5yrs-18yrs where I obtained my NVQ 3 Caring for Children and Young People. After enjoying three years there I left in 2006 to join a team as an auxiliary nurse rehabilitating patients at the Hawkhurst Cottage Hospital. I spent a further three years there before deciding to leave to go to university to study Adult Nursing for three years. I attended Canterbury Christchurch University in 2009 and after training within areas including Community Nursing, Nursing homes for older people inluding Dementia, Mixed Surgical, Oncology & Gynae wards, Outpatients Dept. attending many clinics held there and so much more, I qualified in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science with Honours Degree, upper second division. Having just qualified as an Adult Nurse I joined Larchmere House and finish my year’s perceptorship in July 2013. I work days at Larchmere and am enjoying my time there and hope to spend a long future with them.

I came back to nursing in 1995 and worked as a community staff nurse, bank nurse at Larchmere House and as a night nurse in an addiction rehabilitation unit. In 2000 I attended Brighton University where I gained a BSc(Hons) as a community specialist practitioner. Since then I have worked in East Sussex and Kent as a district nursing sister and community matron. Whilst working in East Sussex I undertook the legal and ethical teaching for the PCT staff as I had studied for a second degree in Medical Ethics and Medical Law.
As a nurse working in the community most of the patients on my caseload were elderly with complex chronic or life limiting conditions. I have a particular interest in end of life care and the individual's right to choose, and be supported, in the decisions they make about their healthcare.