Meet the team

Dr Rob Heuschkel MBBS MRCPCH

Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist

 

Qualified St Mary’s Medical School, London in 1990. I trained in paediatric gastroenterology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London and the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead with Professor John Walker-Smith. I then spent 14 months as Clinical Fellow in the Combined Program for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Boston Children’s, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the US. I was appointed to my first consultant post in Paediatric Gastroenterology at the Royal Free Hospital in October 2000. I have published in peer-reviewed journals and continue to lecture at national and international meetings. I moved to Addenbrooke’s in January 2008 to develop a regional gastroenterology service for children in the East of England. I am Chair of the IBD Working Group for the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (BSPGHAN), and Member of the GI Committee of our European specialty society (ESPGHAN).

 

Interests: inflammatory bowel disease, endoscopy, enteral nutrition, clinical trials.

 

Secretary’s contact number: 01223 274 827

 

 

 

Gabi Noble-Jamieson MD

Associate Specialist

 

I qualified in Dusseldorf (Germany) in 1985 but moved to Suffolk in 1987 where I live with my husband and three children. I started work at Addenbrooke's in 1988 where I joined the UK’s first paediatric liver transplant team. Over the following 12 years I gained expertise in looking after these critically ill and complex patients and played a key role in their clinical care. The novel field of Paediatric Liver Transplantation offered many opportunities for research and I regularly presented at national and international meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.  In the year 2000 the Paediatric Liver Transplant Service at Addenbrooke's was stopped and moved to Kings College Hospital in London and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Since then I have continued to look after approximately 100 children with chronic liver conditions jointly with the Liver Unit at Kings College, London.  I have a particular interest in Cystic Fibrosis related liver disease and Intestinal failure associated Liver Disease and the care of children post-small bowel transplant.

 

In 2000 I was upgraded to Associate Specialist and continued as the lead clinician for the paediatric hepatology and gastroenterology patients at Addenbrooke's until 2008, when I was joined by Dr Rob Heuschkel to develop a regional tertiary service.

 

Secretary’s contact number: 01223 274 827

 

 

 

Dr Franco Torrente MD FRCPCH

Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist

 

I attended Medical School and completed my paediatric training in Genoa, Italy, in 2000.

 

I then moved to the UK and spent three years as a research fellow in the University Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology at the Royal Free Hospital in London. In addition to my clinical training, I was also involved in several laboratory based projects looking at the mucosal abnormalities of different bowel diseases.

 

In November 2004, I was appointed full-time Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at the Royal Free Hospital, and, before joining the team at Addenbrooke’s, I enjoyed working for a few months at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. I now lead the paediatric IBD service at Addenbrooke’s, supporting basic research studies within the department and an aim to develop clinical trials within our unit.

 

My main clinical interests are inflammatory bowel disease and endoscopy.

 

Secretary’s contact number: 01223 349 483

 

 

 

Dr Camilla Salvestrini MD FRCPCH

Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist

 

Following my qualification in 1999 in Florence (Italy), I trained in Paediatric Gastroenterology at the Meyer Children’s Hospital, Florence and at the Royal Free Hospital in London. During my training I’ve been involved in several research projects on IBD, small bowel enteropathies and Coeliac Disease. I was first appointed Consultant in Paediatric Gastroenterology in 2007 at the Royal Free Hospital in London. Here I developed an interest in clinical nutrition. After having worked at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital, I finally moved to Addenbrooke’s in April 2010 to lead the Nutrition Service for children. I have an interest in children with feeding problems and have developed an innovative approach for behavioural feeding problems (TREAT programme - Therapy for Reluctant Eaters).

 

I continue to publish in peer-reviewed journals and lecture at national and international meetings.

 

Interests: enteral and parenteral nutrition, complex feeding disorders, endoscopy, IBD.

 

Secretary’s contact number: 01223 349 483

 

 

 

Dr. Matthias Zilbauer MD PhD MRCPCH

Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Gastroenterology

 

I graduated from University of Mainz (Germany) medical school in 2001 and started my paediatric specialty training at the University of Muenster (Germany). In 2003 I enrolled in a PhD program in mucosal immunology at the Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital (University College London, UCL), which I completed in 2007. Following completion of my specialist clinical training in Paediatrics I joined the Paediatric Gastroenterology team at Addenbrooke's in April 2010, aiming to develop translational basic research and expand on current academic activities within the department.

 

My research interest mainly lies in the area of mucosal immunology of the GI tract, particularly in children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, more recently, we have started to investigate the role of epigenetics (e.g. DNA methylation) in IBD disease pathogenesis. Academic and research activities in our department are rapidly expanding and we have a number of exciting projects and collaborations ongoing. Our overall aim is to pursue cutting edge translational basic research which will ultimately improve the treatment of our patients.

 

 

 

Mary Brennan RGN/RSCN/BSc Hons

Clinical Nurse Specialist Paediatric Gastroenterology  

 

I qualified as an adult nurse at Chase Farm (Enfield) in 1991, following this I worked for a year on the paediatric and neonatal unit. I then undertook a post graduate course and qualified as a Sick Children’s Nurse in 1994 at Guy’s and Lewisham Hospital School of Nursing. It was after qualifying as a RSCN that I developed my interest in gastroenterology and nutrition, holding my first post on a surgical gastroenterology ward. In 1995 I moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where I worked on the gastroenterology, metabolic and endocrine ward, remaining on the gastroenterology ward when the specialities divided. 

 

In Autumn 1997 I moved to Royal Free Hospital, London to join the dedicated 12 bed paediatric gastroenterology ward. I was appointed Ward Sister to this ward in 2001, training staff and caring for children with intestinal failure, complex feeding problems, IBD and those on parenteral nutrition. In 2003 I took on the post of Clinical Nurse Specialist in paediatric IBD. In this role, I spent 4 years caring for the over 250 children and young people with IBD at the Royal Free, gaining experience in all aspects of the their management. I moved to Addenbrooke's in January 2008 as Clinical Nurse Specialist in Paediatric Gastroenterology to help set up the regional gastroenterology service for the East of England and lead the nursing team here. I completed a BSc in 2008 and have also been active in pushing for better national transitional care for children with IBD. My other interests include training and education, as well as the provision of home parenteral nutrition. I am member of the NICE

 

Tel: 01223 274 757

 

 

Helen Shelley RGN/RSCN

Clinical Nurse Specialist Gastroenterology

 

I qualified at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 1987. I later became Deputy Sister on their medical ward, caring for children with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. I then moved to become the Ward Sister on the children’s ward at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Here I also set up the paediatric community nursing service, which at that time included a home parenteral nutrition (PN) service. Since starting at Addenbrooke's in Spring 2008 I have been involved in developing the breath testing service for children with abdominal pain and possible sugar malabsorption. I also have an interest in the care of children requiring long-term intravenous nutrition and am currently collecting data for the British Intestinal Failure Survey (BIFS). I currently oversee the nursing care of our in-patients and link closely with the Nutrition Nursing Team in supporting and training our ward staff.

 

Tel: 01223 274 757

 

 

Julia Smith MSc RD

Paediatric Gastroenterology Dietitian 

 

I trained at University of Leeds in Pharmacology and then at University of Wales, Cardiff as a dietitian. I have worked at Addenbrooke's Hospital since 2002 and as a paediatric dietitian since 2003. As the paediatric gastroenterology dietitian for our unit I am also developing a dietetic/nurse led clinic for children with coeliac disease. I am an associate member of the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and interested in the dietary management of children with IBD. I also have a particular interest in the nutritional support of children requiring parenteral nutrition.

 

Tel: 01223 216 655 

 

 

Kim Novell RD

Paediatric Gastroenterology Dietitian

 

I qualified as a dietitian at the University of Plymouth and have worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital since 2007 and as a Paediatric Dietitian since 2008. I am currently completing an MSc in Paediatric Dietetics. As one of the paediatric gastroenterology dietitians I run a monthly dietetic-led gastroenterology clinic and cover the monthly dietitian & nurse-led clinic for children with coeliac disease. I am also part of the paediatric nutrition team providing nutritional support to children requiring parenteral nutrition during their inpatient stay.

 

Tel: 01223 216 655

 

 

Cathy Davies

Speech and Language Therapist

 

I trained as a Speech and Language Therapist in London and qualified in 1983. I held community posts in Redbridge and Haringey where I developed an interest in children with special needs. I moved to Cambridge in 1987 and initially worked at Meldreth Manor School (SCOPE). I then joined the Cambridgeshire Speech and Language Therapy team working with children and young people in a variety of settings.

 

I completed a post graduate certificate in paediatric dysphagia in 2003 and specialised in eating and swallowing difficulties. I supported children and their families through the Child Development Centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital and in schools, nurseries and their homes.

 

I joined the Speech and language Therapy department at Addenbrooke's Hospital in July 2010 to work with the Paediatric Gastroenterology Team.
As part of this team I am involved in the Complex Feeding Clinic and support children with eating and drinking difficulties in the following ways:

• Establishing the safety of a child’s swallow and advise on feeding strategies
• Performing videofluoroscopy swallow studies in children
• Advise on the management of sensory and behavioural feeding issues
• Assessment and management of language and communication needs
• Liaison with local speech and language therapy teams

 

Jo Roper

Paediatric Pharmacist
I qualified as a pharmacist in 2005 and have worked at Addenbrooke’s since 2008. My first role at Addenbrooke’s was as a pharmacist in the Medicine Directorate. During my time in that role I began running an outpatient clinic for adult IBD patients. This was to provide information and support for patients starting immunomodulatory therapy. In order to maximise the service I could provide, I studied for and gained my non-medical independent prescribers qualification.

 

In August 2010 I moved over to paediatrics and now spend half of my time working within paediatric gastroenterology and the other half providing a clinical pharmacy service to the paediatric and neonatal wards. Within the paediatric gastroenterology team I support the safe and effective provision of medicines and parenteral nutrition, providing guidance for staff, patients and referring teams.

 

 

Nutrition nursing team

 

Catriona Mc Donald BA (Hons), RN Child

Paediatric Nutrition Clinical Nurse Specialist 

 

I qualified from The Buckinghamshire College of Brunel University in 1998 as an RN Child.  My interest in nutrition began during my training when I first cared for children with Cystic Fibrosis.  Throughout the last 12 years of my career I have experienced the delivery of nutrition in its many different forms and in many different specialities.

 

My first post was at Basildon Hospital rotating between A&E and the Paediatric medical ward.  I then moved on to Harefield Hospital and cared for children who underwent heart surgery and organ transplant.  It was in this environment that I started to develop my skills and knowledge required to maximise the nutritional needs of the critically ill child through artificial nutrition.

 

In 2001 I came to Addenbrooke's and worked in the Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) for 8 years where I developed my skills and knowledge further in enteral and parentral nutrition. Within this environment I cared for children of varying ages who had been admitted from Oncology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, surgery and medical specialities.  During this time I was the Paediatric Surgical link nurse and took this opportunity to gain further knowledge about gastrostomies.

 

From the PICU I went out into the community as a School nurse.  Part of this role was to promote healthy eating, provide advice around diet and exercise and to refer on to specialist dieticians and programmes in order to support the parents in meeting the nutritional needs of their children.

 

I returned to Addenbrooke's in September 2010 to take up the new post of Paediatric Nutrition Clinical Nurse Specialist.  We aim to further improve the provision of Enteral and Parentral Nutrition to children, not only within the hospital, but also around the region – liaising with local teams to keep the care of children as close to home as possible. 

 

 

Sarah Shorrock, RGN/ RSCN, BSc (Hons) Health Studies

Paediatric Nutrition Nurse

 

I completed my RGN/RSCN nurse training in 1992 and spent 8 years working in PICU/PHDU within Cambridge University Hospital and The Leicester Royal Infirmary. It was during my time as a PICU nurse that I first became interested in nutrition as I became more aware of the changes that illness has upon the body’s requirement for energy and fluid. During this time I cared for children requiring enteral and parenteral nutritional support. I then spent 7 years in Paediatric Oncology where the majority of the children required nutritional support.

In August 2010 I joined the team as a Paediatric Nutrition Nurse. My current role involves preparing the children and their families for discharge on enteral nutrition, monitoring children on parenteral nutrition round, and managing naso-jejunal tubes in children.

 

 

Wendy Northcott

 

Paediatric Nutrition Nurse

 

I qualified as a Paediatric Nurse at the University of East Anglia in 1997.

After qualifying I worked as a neonatal nurse were I cared for children requiring parenteral and enteral nutrition.

In 1999 I started on ward C3 caring for children with medical and surgical conditions, I was the ward Link Nurse for Nutrition and through this role I developed an interest in children receiving artificial nutritional support.

I became a Paediatric Nutrition Nurse Specialist in 2006.

My role primarily involves specialist nursing input and training, monitoring of children on Parenteral Nutrition, co-ordinating discharge for children on home enteral feeding and advice and support for families.

Tel: 01223 274 826

 

 

Hannah Christmas

Health Care Assistant
I started working as a HCA on the adult neurosurgery wards in July 2009 where I gained a keen interest in nutrition, obtaining the role of nutrition link nurse. I then applied for my current position as a paediatric nutrition and gastroenterology nurse assistant and started in October 2010.

My role involves me working between both Gastroenterology and Nutrition Nursing teams. For Gastroenterology I assist the children when undertaking a breath test (a way of testing for sugar malabsorption), I also set up and calibrate the equipment used for impedance studies testing for reflux. For my nutrition role I help set up the children with the supplies they need for home nutrition. This includes setting up pump training, ordering supplies and delivering the necessary equipment to families.

 

Tel: 01223 272 826

 

 

 

 

The department collaborates with many staff and departments within Addenbrooke's, however there are closer links with the following staff, who contribute and share in the day-to-day care of children attending our service:

• Adil Aslam, Clinical Lead for Paediatric Surgery, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon
  
• Justin Davies, Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon
• Dr Anna Gomez, Consultant Paediatric Radiologist
• Dino Hadzic, Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist, King’s College Hospital
• Liz Hook, Consultant Paediatric Pathologist
• Flora Jessop, Consultant Paediatric Histopathologist
• Paul Rolfe, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist
• Dr Pat Set, Consultant Paediatric Radiologist
• Nikki Smith, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon

 

 

 

 

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