I graduated from Swansea University in 1974 with a BSc(Hons) in Microbiology/Zoology. After graduation I achieved state registration with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (now the Health Care and Professions Council(HCPC)) in Microbiology. I have worked in diagnostic microbiology laboratories within the NHS for nearly 40 years at all grades and was finally laboratory manager of the Microbiology Laboratory at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley where I ran a department diagnosing bacterial and viral infections. I am also a microbiology technical assessor for United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) (formerly Clinical Pathology Accreditation(CPA)UK Ltd) whose role it is to establish competency with international standards within diagnostic laboratories both in the public and private sector.

I have nearly 40 years experience within medical microbiology laboratories and the use of biomedical investigations in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease with specific expertise in medical mycology and parasitology and teaching, learning and assessment within the clinical laboratory environment, continuing professional development and requirements for HCPC registration.