Charlotte Glynn

Forum Chair

What is your current role?
I work as a Research and Innovation Nurse and Lead Nurse at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, alongside a specialist nursing role in integrated sexual health services. I am also a Talkline Volunteer with Abortion Talk.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The constant development and innovation within abortion care, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful service improvement.

What was your best career move?
Leaving ward nursing to train as a specialist nurse in sexual health. This allowed me to develop a diverse, transferable skill set and work in a field I am deeply passionate about.

What inspires and motivates you?
I am motivated by improving care for diverse populations and communities through quality improvement and research. While significant progress has been made, there is still important work to do.

What prompted you to join the Women’s Health Forum committee?
I was keen to contribute to women’s health at a national level and to support nurses working across women’s health services.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
Increase meaningful nurse involvement in the development of health policy.

What book should every nurse read?
Belly Woman by Benjamin Black; a powerful firsthand account of the Ebola crisis in West Africa and its impact on sexual and reproductive healthcare.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
To continue contributing to abortion research and to advance the role of nurses and midwives in abortion care, ensuring patients benefit from decriminalisation in the UK.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women’s health?
Gardening, playing netball, spending time with family and friends, or curled up with a book alongside my dog, Phoebe.

Emma Ayling

Vice Chair

What is your current role?
Matron for Fertility & Gynaecology Services

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I enjoy supporting my teams, to empower them with the skills to deliver a high-quality service for our patients. I am very fortunate to be able to continue to work clinically amongst my teams to ensure that we are delivering safe, effective care for our patients as well as advocating for both staff and patients in my role. 

What was your best career move?
Changing from Neurosciences to Gynaecology early on in my career. It set me on a path that has brought me to where I am today, for which I am very grateful.

What inspires and motivates you?
My patients and my teams – seeing the difference you can make is very rewarding. I am passionate about Gynaecology and in particular, Early Pregnancy care.

What prompted you to join the Women's Health Forum committee?
I had met some of the members through the Clinical Leadership in Women's Health and was inspired to apply. To be able to collaborate with like-minded people, who are just as passionate about Women's Health as I am.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
To make Women's health just as important as other services. For too long, women's health has been on the back burner and I would like to help make our voices louder and heard, to provide the services that women deserve to have.

What book should every nurse read?
The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi - really inspirational reading that can be applied across so many levels.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
To achieve my Masters in Gynaecology and develop myself into a blended role as Matron/ANP.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women's health?
At home in the garden or spending quality time with friends and family.

Tori Heppell

What is your current role?
Tori Heppell is a Registered Nurse and Sonographer with over 25 years of experience in women’s health nursing. She specialises in early pregnancy care but also has experience in a wide range of other gynaecology services, such as inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and oncology settings. She has held both clinical and leadership roles within the NHS and in the independent sector & currently works as an Early Pregnancy Bereavement Clinical Nurse Specialist.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I have enjoyed working in women’s health in various roles for nearly 25 years. In my current role I have the benefit of being able to lead a fabulous team & community based service whilst continuing to provide hands on care to women.

What was your best career move?
Carrying out a PG Cert in diagnostic ultrasound. This enabled me to be able to care for women throughout their whole journey through the EPAU.

What inspires and motivates you?
The way all of the nurses in my team have developed their knowledge & skills to change & improve services for patients. 

What prompted you to join the women’s health forum committee?
Seeing the great work the forum do for women and nurses from afar motivated me to want to become part of it. I am very excited to start working with a group of likeminded nurses who are also passionate about women’s health & nursing. 

If you were the health secretary and could make one single change what would it be?
Fair pay. This would in turn help to make many of the other changes needed. 

What book should every nurse read?
Oxford Handbook of Women’s Health Nursing.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
I would like to complete a MSc in Women’s Health & become a Nurse Consultant one day.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women’s health?
Spending time with my husband, 2 daughters & dogs…….. preferably on a beach somewhere!

Jayne Johnson

What is your current role? 
Women’s Health Specialist Nurse and Lead Nurse, Primary Care, GP Surgery 

What do you enjoy about your current role? 
The diversity of my role and I love that I get the opportunity to meet and make a difference to women across their life journey. 

What was your best career move?
Living and working in London where I had multiple, fantastic opportunities to work across many of the London hospitals within a wide range of Women’s Health specialisms.

What inspires and motivates you?
To see others supported, empowered and thrive.

What prompted you to join the Women’s Health Forum committee?
I want to make a difference. I want to support and provide colleagues with the tools and knowledge to be professionally inquisitive, develop services and deliver care that women deserve. The forum has helped me tremendously and I am overjoyed to be working alongside likeminded, inspirational nurses who are passionate about Women’s Health.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
Ensure not only safe staffing levels, but levels that promote and enable nurses to deliver excellence in a supportive, safe and nurturing environment. 

What book should every nurse read?
Any good book on Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
To continue to grow and develop my skills and knowledge so I can extend my offer to women in primary care. I’m enjoying my journey and remain open to unknown possibilities ahead.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women’s health? 
With my family and in my spare time, you may find me in the shed making jewellery, learning a tune on my melodeon or energy work, such as acupuncture, crystals and EFT. 

Esther Kuria

What is your current role?
Nurse Consultant -Gynaecology

What was your best career move?
Taking the leap to move to the UK to advance my nursing career.

What inspires and motivates you?
Women’s lives globally- their resilience, this motivates me to do my best for women’s health. 

What prompted you to join the women’s health forum?
The opportunity to learn and be a resource in women’s health.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one singe change, what would it be?
I would listen to women.

What book should every nurse read?
Being mortal by Atul Gawande - it’s about having a meaningful and purposeful life regardless of what life throws at you.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
To develop and lead a women’s health education channel that empowers women and supports ongoing professional learning.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women’s health?
Travelling and spending quality time with family.

Sheri Lawrence

What is your Current Role?
I am currently a Registered Nursing Associate and am completing the Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, with qualification as a Registered Nurse anticipated in March 2026.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
What I value most is the ability to make a genuine difference to women’s lives through compassionate, empathetic care—particularly for those experiencing pregnancy loss in all its forms. I am deeply committed to ensuring women feel listened to, supported, and advocated for, especially at times when they may feel unable or unsure how to voice their concerns. Working across multiple sites allows me to gain broad exposure to diverse women’s health needs, continually strengthening and developing my clinical practice.

What was your best career move?
Transitioning from a senior role as Head of Design and Creative into nursing, with a focus on Women’s Health, has been my most significant and purposeful career decision. This change was motivated by a desire to address health inequalities and disparities affecting women in a direct and meaningful way. While I remain early in my nursing career, I have a strong and growing interest in policy, quality improvement, and clinical governance, and I firmly believe that advocacy-led nursing can drive sustainable improvements in women’s health services.

What inspires and motivates you?
I am inspired by the need to improve outcomes for marginalised women and by the belief that no woman should endure prolonged pain, distress, or suffering because of systemic failures, limited specialist provision, or inadequate advocacy.

What prompted you to join the women’s health forum?
I was drawn to the opportunity to work alongside sector leaders and subject matter experts to develop high-quality resources, champion continuous professional development, and contribute to policy discussions that improve outcomes across Women’s Health services.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one singe change, what would it be?
I would ensure nurses and midwives are remunerated in a way that truly reflects their expertise, emotional labour, and professional responsibility. Alongside this, I would prioritise greater national consistency in guidance for Nursing Associates, reducing ambiguity around scope of practice and supporting safe, effective workforce development.

What book should every nurse read?
Pain and Prejudice: How the Medical System Ignores Women—And What We Can Do About It

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
I aspire to become a Regional Nursing Lead, contributing to policy development, setting professional standards, and leading national initiatives within gynaecological or sexual health services.

Where would we find you when you are not working in Women’s Health?
Outside of work, I prioritise time with my family, supporting them to pursue their goals and develop their strengths. I also enjoy maintaining my physical wellbeing through gym training and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Michael Nevill

What is your current role?
Clinical Director at the National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS)

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I love the fact that I am in a position where I can support both our staff and our clients. As the clinical lead at NUPAS I ensure that their voice is heard right throughout the organisation. Through policy and audit writing I also help to ensure that our clients get the best possible care in a supportive environment.

What was your best career move?
A few years ago, I was in a job that I really didn’t enjoy and therefore my employers were not getting the best out of me, and so I decided that I had to go. I could have stayed, however the move I made was the best thing I could have done; therefore, I would advise anyone not to stay in a role they don’t enjoy. Nursing is such an amazing career, you can easily change your pathway.

What inspires and motivates you?
I have always believed that patients should receive the care that you would want for yourself or your loved ones. I am therefore motivated to ensure that we deliver the best care possible.

What prompted you to join the Women's Health Forum committee?
The opportunity to network with like-minded colleagues and shape national policy.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
Legislation on minimum staffing levels.

What book should every nurse read?
If you’re reading this then you should read Nursing Management of Women’s Health edited by D.Holloway.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
I would like to undertake some work in a developing country, and possibly a PhD.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women's health?
Usually in the kitchen baking, and while the cake is baking, I’ll be found in the garden.

Debra Holloway, FRCN - Forum link support

MBE, FRCN , FRCOG- Forum link support

What is your current role?
retired was a Nurse Consultant Gynaecology
Menopause specialist

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
undertaking projects, teaching and support practitioner with menopause work

What was your best career move?
Nurse consultant role.

What inspires and motivates you?
Improving women's health specifically menstruation issues and menopause. ability to mentor and support nurses working in Womens health roles

What prompted you to join the Women's Health Forum Committee?
Co-opted onto a project a long time ago, really enjoyed the working group and then joined a sub group and then encouraged to join the steering group.

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
Free prescriptions for women with POI.

What book should every nurse read?
Women's health nursing Oxford Handbook by myself.

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
ensure all nurses have basic menopause knowledge 

Where would we find you when you are not working in women's health?
Walking in Devon.

Dr Wendy Norton - Forum link support

RCN Fellow

What is your current role?
Honorary researcher

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
My research focuses on themes at the intersection of women's health, reproduction, and equality and diversity. I enjoy listening to service users’ experiences of healthcare and using this information to advance knowledge and care delivery.

What was your best career move?
Moving from general gynaecology into the more specialised field of fertility, and being able to combine clinical practice and research in this area.

What inspires and motivates you?
Listening to the voices of patients and translating these findings and knowledge into clinical practice, to impact policies and practice guidance, and to enhance care and outcomes for service users.

What prompted you to join the women’s health forum?
I am passionate about promoting women’s health and wanted to contribute to, and develop initiatives, that influence practice and improve women’s health care provision

If you were the Health Secretary and could make one single change, what would it be?
To address the inequalities and structural determinants that often reinforce stigma and taboo about women’s health issues such as menstruation and menopause, and may restrict women’s access to health services

What book should every nurse read?
Nursing Management of Women’s Health: A Guide for Nurse Specialists and Practitioners by Debra Holloway

What would you still like to achieve in your career?
More research focussing on the experiences of marginalised patient groups within healthcare settings to enable us to capture previously unheard voices in research, and provide evidence for shaping the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Where would we find you when you are not working in women’s health?
I love to travel and learn more about different cultures, so sightseeing somewhere in the world.