Ann Norman
Learning Disabilities and Criminal Justice Nurses Adviser
Ann's career in nursing within the NHS and the prison service has been varied. Her background was that of a community nurse; she joined the Prison Service in 1992 and received a Nursing Standard award in 1998 for recognition of developing services to female prisoners.
In 1999, Ann was awarded a further Prison Service award for her work at HM Prison Winchester. She has been a long standing RCN activist and was keenly involved in the development of forum status within the RCN. She was chair of the Prison Nurses Forum between 1998-2000.
In 2004, Ann was seconded to RCN in her current role where she assists in the development of policy and supports members locally and nationally across the four UK countries. She supports two very active and enthusiastic forums and aims to continue that support in the interests of prisoners, prison nursing and police custody staff, and individuals who have a learning disability and the nurses who provide care to them.
Ann, on behalf of the RCN, was appointed on to the National Advisory Group to the Health and Criminal Justice Programme Board in November 2009. This two year appointment follows considerable work by the RCN, and particularly Ann and the Criminal Justice Services forum, on the issue of offender health.
Ann was appointed as nurse panel member on the Independent Inquiry into Access for People with a Learning Disability in 2008 alongside the Inquiry chair Sir Jonathan Michael. This was established by the then Secretary of State for Heath Patricia Hewitt and resulted in the report ‘Healthcare for All’.
Ann also co-edited a book in 2002 entitled ‘Prison Nursing’ (Blackwell Publishing). She has worked as a volunteer mentor for ex young offenders and supports a local homeless charity.