RCN Professional Leads for nursing practice
As experts in their fields, our Professional Leads for nursing practice provide guidance and support to RCN Forums, which are made up of ordinary members with a passion for improving practice in their specialism.
Our leads help Forum Committees with funding bids, publications approval, event applications and external representation, among other things.
Their role is essential in connecting our members and helping them achieve their objectives. They also promote awareness and knowledge of nursing specialisms within the membership.
Meet our leads below.
Kendal Andreason, Professional Lead for Acute and Emergency Care and Defence Nursing
Kendal began her career in the British Army’s Royal Engineers where she led teams around the world. After seeing medics’ incredible work in Afghanistan, she transferred to the Nursing Corps. She left the Army after 14 years of service, but remains an Army Reservist specialising in health security, protecting civilians, and preventing sexual violence.
She also delivers wilderness medicine courses for World Extreme Medicine. She has degrees in both Politics and Adult Nursing and an MSc in Global Health. She’s completing another MSc in International Relations.
Kim Ball, Professional Lead for Primary Care
Kim Ball is Professional Lead for Primary Care here at the RCN. With over 11 years of experience as a registered nurse, she has worked extensively in general practice, holding various clinical and leadership roles. Kim is passionate about the development and education of general practice nurses and has also served as an associate lecturer and nurse educator.
Jonahan Beebee, Professional Lead for Learning Disability Nursing
Jonathan is a Registered Nurse in Learning Disabilities with an MSc in Positive Behaviour Support. He’s also CEO and Nurse Consultant for PBS4, a social care enterprise for people with learning disabilities.
His previous roles include positions at the NHS, Care Quality Commission, Department of Health and NHS England, and national social care roles. Jonathan says his acquired brain injury led to his nursing career and has inspired his passion for all things neurology related.
Carmel Bagness, Professional Lead for Midwifery and Women's Health
MA RN RM ADM PGCEA
Carmel is a nurse and practicing midwife. She began her midwifery career in 1984, progressing from clinical practice to higher education as a senior lecturer, Lead Midwife for Education and eventually, Associate Dean. Before joining the RCN, Carmel worked on a midwifery strategic project at the Department Health and Social Care.
Her current role involves shaping policy and practice in women’s health care by engaging with political and strategic partners, and RCN members.
Monet Marinas, Professional Lead for Infection Prevention and Control
Monet has extensive experience in infection control and, in addition to her professional lead role, practices as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.
Monet holds an MSc in Health Care Associated infection. She played a key role in leading teams in her organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Callum Metcalfe-O’Shea, Professional Lead for Long-Term Conditions
Callum works in primary care as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, specialising in long-term conditions and diabetes. He supported the creation of a health professionals forum in his local area to improve diabetes education and training.
Callum is also a clinical lead for diabetes and long-term conditions at his local ICB, sits on two journal editorial boards and is a committee member of the Primary Care Diabetes and Obesity Society UK.
Ofrah Muflahi, Professional Lead for the Nursing Support Workforce
With over 20 years’ experience in health care, Ofrah began her career as a health care assistant, inspired by the care given to her unwell mother. Ofrah is a registered nurse, skilled in areas including paediatrics, community nursing and quality improvement, with an MSc in health care management, leadership and policy.
An equality champion, Ofrah won the Mary Seacole Leadership Award in 2007, founded the British Arab Nursing and Midwifery Association (a diaspora nursing association) and volunteers as a coach and mentor promoting nursing as a profession. She’s held multiple board roles in the NHS and charity sector and is also a qualified Cultural Intelligence Assessor.
Suman Shrestha, Professional Lead for Critical Care
Suman Shrestha MBE is a Consultant Nurse in Critical Care at Frimley Health NHS FT. He is also an associate member of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, and a visiting lecturer at various universities.
He leads and represents the RCN on workstreams related to critical care and perioperative care. He received the 2021 Human Rights and Nursing Awards for work in Nepal and the UK and was honoured with an MBE in 2022 for contributions to critical care.
Cathryn Smith, Professional Lead in Adult Community Nursing and End-of-Life-Care
Cathryn's clinical practice experience includes primary settings and the community, where she worked as a district nurse. She has an MSc in Community Health Studies and is currently undertaking a PhD, focusing on caring for people with dementia at end-of-life.
Her interests include community care, dementia, end-of-life care, advancing end-of-life care for people living with dementia and qualitative research.
Jessica Turner, Professional Lead for Public Health
Jessica is a registered nurse, skilled in health improvement and health equity and inequalities. Here at the RCN, she leads work across a broad public health portfolio. Alongside this, she works at Cancer Research UK, where she has worked in prevention and early diagnosis roles for several years.
Jessica is passionate about public health interventions and the difference nursing staff can make to populations and most importantly, individuals.
Ben Thomas, Professional Lead for Mental Health, RCN Fellow
Ben is a Professor of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at London South Bank University and co-leader of the NHSE Integrated Clinical Academic Post Doctoral Scheme.
His broad experience includes Executive Director of Nursing at South London and Maudsley Trust and professional advisor for mental health, learning disabilities nursing and dementia care at the Department of Health and Social Care. He has advised governments in Malaysia, South Korea, Australia, Qatar and China. Ben is a Trustee for mental health and housing charities.
Dr Liz Walsh PhD, Professional Lead Nurse for Justice and Forensic Nursing
Since qualifying as a nurse in 1995, Liz has worked in and around justice settings as a clinician, academic, researcher, inspector and practice developer. She’s passionate about supporting and developing nurses and nursing practice in all areas of justice and forensic health care.
Liz promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to caring for people in justice settings and champions the use of effective reflective practice to manage the challenges of caring in these environments.
Sally Wilson, Professional Lead for Older People and Dementia
Sally is a dedicated Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities. Since qualifying in 1998, she’s worked extensively in assessment and treatment units, nursing homes, respite services and community teams. She’s managed services for adults and children with complex needs and served as a Matron for vulnerable patients.
She has an MSc in advanced nursing studies, focusing on vulnerable patients and safeguarding. Sally’s career reflects adaptability, ethical practice and a strong commitment to improving care for older adults and people with learning disabilities. Sally continues to advocate passionately for these groups.
