Meet the Team

The South West Surgery in Children Operational Delivery Network activities are supported by a small dedicated team made up of a Clinical Director, Network Manager, Lead Nurse, and Support Manager who work closely with colleagues across the region to bring the network together.


Simon Courtman
Clinical Director

Simon has been a consultant in paediatric anaesthesia in Plymouth for 15 years, where he has established a dedicated children’s surgical unit, and is currently the director of Women’s and Children’s Services. He also sits on the national council of the Assoc of Paediatric Anaesthetists of GB and Ireland which enables him to engage in national strategy for children’s surgery and also represent the South West in any strategic discussions.

 

Catherine Carpenter-Clawson
Network Manager

Catherine has been a Manager in the NHS for over 12 years. Catherine enjoys the challenge of regional roles, and started her NHS career in the Cancer Networks and has worked more recently as a Genomic Medicine Centre manager. Catherine has an MSc in Genomic Medicine and is passionate about improving regional services for children and their families through networking and collaboration.

 

Gael Rolls
Lead Nurse

Gael has been a paediatric nurse within the NHS for more than 30years. Working for many years within Paediatric Intensive Care and latterly as a Lead Nurse for paediatric general and specialised surgery in Glasgow. In July 2021 she moved to the South West to join the network as a Lead Nurse for Surgery in Children. She is deeply patient and family focussed and is committed to ensuring that babies, children, young people and their families have the best possible experience in healthcare.

Tania Sparks
Project Manager

Tania began working for the NHS in 2019 as a Programme Administrator after spending several years working aboard in the tourism and hospitality industry in the French Alps, Greece, America, and on board a cruise ship sailing the Caribbean, and joined the South West Surgery in Children network team as a Network Support Manager in February 2021. Tania is currently on a 12 month secondment with the SIC team as a Project Manager.