About the Author
Background
- Qualified nurse (Plymouth General Hospital, Devon)
- Qualified midwife (Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Edinburgh)
- PhD in Social Sciences (Edinburgh University)
- Research Fellow in Medical Ethics for over 20 years (Edinburgh University)
Awards
- Gold medal from Plymouth General Hospital
- Scottish Office Research Training Fellowship
- BMA Medical Book of the Year 2002
- Runner-up Writer of the Year 2008 (Writers Bureau)
- Highly commended in BMA 2008 Book Competition; short-listed for Popular Medicine prize.
- Runner-up in 20th Anniversary Award 2009 (Writers Bureau)
Why the move to fiction?
To share one of the most exciting subjects in the world
Life-changing experiences
- Serious illness of a son
- Years of night duty
- Being bullied at work
- Interviewing over 100 bereaved parents
Other regular commitments
Church; Care of the elderly; fund-raising for Third World projects
Character traits
Obsessive tendencies; quickly bored by routines; thrives on challenge
Addictions
Prawns; Marmite; good books; wearing black
Hobbies
Knitting; embroidery; cake decorating; flower arranging
Therapies
Grandchildren; chopping vegetables very small
Most quirky experience
Adding People’s Friend, My Weekly and Good Housekeeping publications to a heavy academic CV
Proudest achievement
Two children; becoming a grandparent