About
Phil lives in Kent, England and has 40 years’ experience of working as a Registered Nurse in a variety of clinical management and academic settings. He started his clinical career in 1982 eventually specialising in Intensive Care. As his career progressed, he held a variety of senior managerial roles within the National Health Service. In 1999 as a senior NHS Manager, he was seconded to a UK University as Head of Department to help with the development of their undergraduate nursing programme. For the last 20+ years he has been teaching Pre and Post registration Nurses, Medical staff, and Allied Health Professionals. His post graduate studies have focused on Civil Emergency Management with reference to implementation protocols.
At the age of 58 after a period of several years of investigations he was “finally” diagnosed as having Dementia with Lewy Bodies. He was fortunate in being able to keep working through the support of a manager and his Occupational Health Consultant. He eventually retired in October 2023 and ceased his registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
Since retiring Phil has been a passionate advocate for people living with dementia, particularly those who wish to remain in employment. With his clinical and academic background, Phil has been keen to alter the perception of dementia in the workplace, and to challenge the established processes associated with diagnosis and support for those who are living with Young Onset Dementia. He is a member of the Health and Social Care Dementia Programme Board that brings together the main dementia stakeholders and organisations to measure and monitor the progress of the Key Commitments of the 2020 Dementia Implementation Plan. Phil is a member of the Young Dementia Network - Research and Evidence workstream and the Young Dementia Network Steering Group.
Phil’s personal statement.
“Having been a nurse, manager, teacher and academic has meant that I have worked with people to make the best of situations and wherever possible to make things easier, more comfortable or less painful. With my experience of both teaching and critiquing research I am a keen promoter of high quality, outcome-driven dementia research, that has a meaningful benefit to those living with this terrible illness.
Since receiving my formal diagnosis, I have become passionate about improving dementia care and support, both for those of us living with the illness and those who help support us. I am determined that while I can and am able, my dementia, or I refer to it as (The Bugger) will not define me.
Phil was nominated by Alzheimer's Society, to join the European Working Group of People with Dementia in June 2025.