Who's Speaking?

Andrew Chidgey is Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Programme Director for National Dementia Strategy Implementation at the Alzheimer's Society where he has worked for 8 years. In that time he has been responsible for leading campaigns for mental capacity legislation, access to drugs and changes to the system of charging for care. Andrew has advised politicians, policy makers and commissioners on the needs of people with dementia and their carers and has appeared as a spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Society on many occasions. 

Wendy Balmain is the Deputy Regional Director for Social Care and Partnerships for the North East region. Trained as a social worker Wendy started her career in the voluntary sector as manager of a homeless centre. Her interest in developing access to mainstream services for socially excluded adults continued and she moved to work with County Durham probation service where she spent over nine years in a variety of roles.

Barbara Stuttle is the Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Nurse, Directorate of Quality, Experience and Safety for NHS South West Essex and has a nursing background spanning over 38 years working mainly in the Community and Primary Care Services.  This new exciting role is key in ensuring quality of care is inherent in all commissioning decisions. As a commissioner she takes a lead role in influencing and directing commissioning ensuring the quality of services is facilitated within the contract and performance managed. Barbara has wide general experience in all aspects of Community Health Services and the NHS having worked at a national level.

Deborah has worked with older people throughout her career.  She has held a number of positions including posts in practice, research, management and policy. Her clinical practice and management experience extends from rehabilitation, acute care, day hospitals, dementia services, primary care and Care Homes.  Following completion of her MSc, she took up a Research Nurse post at the University of Kent working on assessment of older people in long- term care and was part of an international collaborative research effort. Subsequently she was appointed jointly between primary health and social care to develop improved pathways of access for older people using health and social services. 

Professor June Andrews is the director of the Dementia Services Development Centre which has offices in London, Belfast and at the University of Stirling.   

Frank Herrity has more than 30 years experience as a nurse, working in a wide range of health and social care settings. He is registered both as a general and mental health nurse, as well as a nurse educator.

Tracey Judge is Social Work Team Manager employed by Bristol City Council and has been working in an acute hospital since qualifying in 1993, and as a manager since 2004 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.