Birth Centre Bristol Steering Group
Who we are:
Sue Paterson (Chair of the Steering Group) qualified as a solicitor in 1978. She has extensive experience of committee work in both the professional and voluntary sectors. Her role is to chair Steering Group meetings and to coordinate communications, strategic planning and development.
Nigel Baker (Steering Group member) is a chartered accountant who has practised in both the private and public sectors. He has overall responsibility for the financial control of the Birth Centre Bristol project.
Sue Learner (Steering Group member) qualified as a midwife in 1972 and practised in hospitals in Bristol and East Africa. Since 1990 she has run her own practice as an independent midwife. She has experience of chairing street warden schemes and school governors and has managed large community events. Sue is a founder member of Birth Centre Bristol and represents us in discussions and meetings with Neighbourhood Renewal, NHS and Primary Care Trusts, and currently with MPs and senior ministers and personnel in the Department of Health.
Jilly Rosser (Steering Group member) qualified as a midwife in 1979. After working as a trainer of traditional birth attendants in Yemen and Guinea Bissau, and as an independent midwife in London, in 1986 Jilly joined MIDIRS, the Midwives Information and Resource Service. She currently works as the Sure Start midwife in Hartcliffe, Highridge and Withywood and is therefore well aware of the special needs of women in areas of social deprivation. Since 2000 Jilly has been active in encouraging the setting up of birth centres nationwide and is a steering group member of the Birth Centre Network UK. Jilly is a founder member of Birth Centre Bristol and works mainly on strategic planning and the formulation of our proposals.
Pip A’Ness (Co-ordinator, BCB Supporters Group) developed an academic interest in birth environments whilst researching the behaviour and welfare of pregnant sows as a doctoral student. Her belief that many birth complications could be avoided if a woman has control over the social and physical environment of birth has been borne out through her own birth experiences – three in hospital and one at home. In between juggling the demands of motherhood with duties as a local parish councillor, Pip co-ordinates the campaigning activities of the BCB Supporters Group.