About Us
What is the NWCCODN?
The North West Children’s Cancer Operational Delivery Network (NWCCODN) was established in October 2022 to achieve the aims of NHS England’s drive to secure improved experience, greater pathway integration and increased clinical trial participation and may mean that existing shared care arrangements in some Networks in England need to be both/either consolidated in number and/or expanded in terms of scope of practice. It is expected that the Principle Treatment Centres, through the Children’s Cancer Operational Delivery Network, will drive this change, reflecting the unique needs of each Network within the agreed service configuration.
The NWCCODN works in partnership with 12 providers across the North West, set within the following localities; Cheshire & Merseyside, Greater Manchester & Lancashire & South Cumbria. This includes the 3 Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units located within North Wales and 1 Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit located in the Isle of Man.
Principal Treatment Centres (PTCs)
What is a Principal Treatment Centre (PTC)?
Any child or young person diagnosed with Cancer is treated at a specialist hospital. These are referred to as Principal Treatment Centres. Within the North West, there are 2 PTCs which are Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS FT and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The PTCs lead on specialist care and treatment.
Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units (POSCUs)
What is a Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU)?
The POSCU service is a hospital which provides supportive care to patients and families. This allows children and young people to be treated closer to home, to reduces the impact of travel for specific treatment and interventions. The hospital works closely with your PTC, sharing clinical guidelines, and updating the clinical teams on the treatment plan through regular communication.
Meet The Team
Andrea Doherty
Regional NHSE Commissioner & Co-Chair of the Network
Professor Bernadette Brennan
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist
Clinical Lead & Co-Chair of Network
Dr Lisa Howell
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist
Clinical Lead & Co-Chair of Network
Davina Hartley
Network Manager
Charlotte Lloyd
Quality Improvement Lead Nurse
Abi Abimbola
Project Support Officer
Katharine Field
Innovation Project Officer
Governance Structure
The NWCCODN is accountable to the North West Paediatric Partnership Board and NHSE Specialised Commissioning. The below flow chart highlights the governance structure, communication pathways for reporting and cross-organisational partnership working.
Andrea Doherty
Registered nurse since 1987, gained qualifications as one of the first non-medical prescribers and specialist nurse practitioners (community nursing) in 1999. Completed a Masters degree in Cancer Care in 2006. Moved into strategic development roles in 2006, firstly as Lead Cancer Nurse for a District General Hospital, then as Lead Nurse for a Cancer Network. Then I have worked internationally as Director of Nursing for a large quaternary hospital in the Middle East with a full range of oncology services from 2013 to 2019. On return to the UK commenced work as NW Planned Care & Cancer Manager and then seconded internally to current role since October 2021. Passionate about the quality of care that patients receive and still very proud to be a nurse.
In my current role of Head of Women and Children’s Transformation for North West Specialised Commissioning I lead on a range of issues related to the Women and Children’s Programme of Care. This includes Children and Young People with Cancer. Therefore my remit includes supporting the NWCCODN. Operational Delivery Networks are mandated via NHSE and then through a NWPPB arrangement of joint hosting and responsibilities (RMCH & AHCH NHS FT).
Married, with grown up children and grandchildren. I love to travel and have a passion for scuba diving.
Professor Bernadette Brennan
Bernadette trained at St Andrews and Manchester Medical School, qualifying as a Doctor in 1987. Bernadette trained in General Paediatrics in Queen’s Park Hospital Blackburn, St Mary’s Hospital, Booth Hall Children’s Hospital and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital from 1988 – 1992.
Bernadette trained as a Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Christie Hospital, becoming a Consultant Paediatric Oncologist in both Trusts in 1997. Completed an MD in late effects of Childhood Leukaemia in 2000.
Currently Bernadette has roles as:
- Associate Director of Research and Innovation (Governance) for Manchester University Foundation Trust
- Paediatric Cancer Services E04 CRG/NHS England Commissioning –Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria Senate Rep
- Greater Manchester Cancer -Clinical Director for Children’s pathway -for the Manchester
- Cancer Services Provider Board
- Chair NCRI Sarcoma CSG
- Chair North West Childrens Cancer ODN
- Chair of Sarcoma UK’s research strategy committee
- Chair of Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust grant award committee
Bernadette has an interest in research and clinical trials and has published articles within this area. Her wealth of knowledge and experience has led to Bernadette delivering presentations at education events, both nationally and internationally.
She is an active member the Clinical Reference Group, and the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group to support collaborative working and influence the development of guidelines and policies.
Bernadette is the co-chair of the NWCCODN; and provides joint clinical leadership alongside her colleague Dr Lisa Howell, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS FT.
Dr Lisa Howell
Charlotte Lloyd
Quality Improvement Lead Nurse
Charlotte commenced into post in October 2022; when the network (NWCCODN) was established. Charlotte obtained a 1 st Class Hons degree in Children’s Nursing at King’s College London, with the Associateship of King’s College and Global Award for her volunteering in India with orphaned children. Charlotte has a broad range of clinical experience within general paediatrics. Her passion for caring for children and teenagers with cancer, and their families, led to her to specialising in Oncology, working within POSCUs and PTCs. She has held numerous roles within the Oncology setting; particularly within a world-renowned PTC as a Clinical Practice Facilitator and a Ward Sister of a Teenage and Young Adult Haemato-oncology Unit.
Charlotte transfers the knowledge and skills learnt within the clinical environment and from the successful completion of a MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice to identify opportunities for service development, organisational change, and pathway reviews. She has a passion to drive change and embed improvement across organisations; to positively impact practitioners, patients, and their families. She is a proactive member of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group to remain up to date with best practice and work in collaboration with colleagues nationally to share learning.
In her own time, Charlotte loves spending time with her family and of course, the much-loved family dogs, in the countryside. Her favourite places to visit are the Lake District and Cornwall.
Charlotte Lloyd
Quality Improvement Lead Nurse
Charlotte commenced into post in October 2022; when the network (NWCCODN) was established. Charlotte obtained a 1 st Class Hons degree in Children’s Nursing at King’s College London, with the Associateship of King’s College and Global Award for her volunteering in India with orphaned children. Charlotte has a broad range of clinical experience within general paediatrics. Her passion for caring for children and teenagers with cancer, and their families, led to her to specialising in Oncology, working within POSCUs and PTCs. She has held numerous roles within the Oncology setting; particularly within a world-renowned PTC as a Clinical Practice Facilitator and a Ward Sister of a Teenage and Young Adult Haemato-oncology Unit.
Charlotte transfers the knowledge and skills learnt within the clinical environment and from the successful completion of a MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice to identify opportunities for service development, organisational change, and pathway reviews. She has a passion to drive change and embed improvement across organisations; to positively impact practitioners, patients, and their families. She is a proactive member of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group to remain up to date with best practice and work in collaboration with colleagues nationally to share learning.
In her own time, Charlotte loves spending time with her family and of course, the much-loved family dogs, in the countryside. Her favourite places to visit are the Lake District and Cornwall.
Davina Hartley
Davina is the Regional Network Manager for the Northwest Childrens Cancer ODN. She has been in this role since October 2022. Davina has worked within children’s services for over 25 years and is passionate about improving outcomes for children with life threatening conditions. Previously Davina worked in NHSE as Senior Manager for Children’s Palliative and End of Life Care and as Network Manager for the Yorkshire and Humber Children’s Palliative care network. Davina’s background is as a social worker in a complex health and disabilities team and she has worked in children’s safeguarding for over ten years, working with the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board and prior to this within public health. She has an MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion and a MA in Social Work in addition to a BSc (Hons) in Psychology.
Davina has four children and enjoys spending time with her family and new puppy Mabel on long country walks. Davina enjoys horse riding, kayaking and is hoping to learn to ski when she can find the time.
Abi Abimbola
Abi is the Project support officer for the Northwest Children Cancer ODN. She has been in this role since February 2023.
Abi has over 9 years project and operations delivery experience. Previously Abi worked in Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as a PMO Analyst on the innovative Electronic Patient Record programme “Hive”. Abi has worked on projects with client companies in FCMG, Insurance, IT, Third Sector Charity and Health Care.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science & Technology, a Professional Scrum Master 1 & Prince 2 certification.
Abi is married with two daughters and enjoys spending time with her family. she loves cooking and trying out new recipes.
Katharine Field
Katharine is the Project Innovation Officer for the Northwest Children Cancer ODN. She has recently joined the team in September 2023.
Katharine has a 1st Class master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a postgraduate diploma in Healthcare Leadership which she completed whilst on the NHS Graduate Management Trainee Programme. She has a wide range of experience working across Greater Manchester’s Heath and Social Care System, working in commissioning, operations, and transformation. Her work with Emmie’s Kitchen and setting up the Pamper Hamper Project sparked a passion for supporting children and families affected by cancer.
Katharine loves traveling, having backpacked South America last year and with lots more places on the bucket list. She also loves zumba and spending time with her friends and family in her hometown of Manchester.