About UKAFN
The United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses (UKAFN) was initially devised in 2004 by Jo Delaforce. The driving force behind the group was made up of three Clinical Nurse Specialists from the Havens: Jo Delaforce, Annika Stenvall and Sharon McCabe.
A steering group made up of representatives from Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS) and Custody Nurses from around the United Kingdom was soon established to provide direction for the UKAFN. It was clear from the onset there was enthusiasm to meet the need for an association in the UK. The steering group felt it was paramount for a body of professionals not only to provide a continuum of best practise but also to raise standards and to facilitate access for learning and educational needs.
The aims of UKAFN
The aims of UKAFN are to lay foundations for best practice countrywide and to enable the delivery of quality care to individuals, also to provide accessible resources, including a knowledge base in forensic nursing
Jennette Arnold OBE - UKAFN Patron
After a career in nursing, senior roles with the Royal College of Nursing and working as a training and
development consultant, Jennette found her natural home as a campaigner within political and public life.
She was a councillor in Islington for 8 years, including a term as Deputy Mayor, and then was elected to the
Greater London Authority as a London-wide Assembly Member in 2000. Since 2004 she has represented
North East London and in 2008/09 served a term as Chair of the London Assembly.
Jennette is a relentless campaigner and has consistently linked her political roles to her campaigning
work to bring about changes for Londoners. Through her involvement with the Metropolitan Police Authority
she has successfully overseen the establishment of Community Safety Boards in her constituency.
She has been an active supporter of the Justice4Jamie campaign highlighting the devastating effects
of knife crime, and has supported BLUNT 1 and 2 policing initiatives to tackle this problem London-wide.
Jennette has been a constant supporter of women’s rights, she is particularly involved in highlighting
issues of domestic violence across all of London’s communities. At the moment she is lobbying the
Mayor to stand by his pledge to establish 4 Rape Crisis Centres across London.
Jennette is a Champion of young people and finds time to mentor and encourage a number of young
Londoners as they carve out their own careers in a variety of sectors across the UK.
In 2009 Jennette was awarded an OBE for her services to Local Government and London. In April
2008 Jennette was appointed by the Prime Minister as a Trustee to the Board of the Museum of London.
In October 2008 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London for her
services to East London. Jennette is currently a council member of the Royal Court Theatre,
Governor of Sadler’s Wells Theatre Foundation and patron of the Victoria Climbie Foundation.
Meet the UKAFN team
Jo Delaforce - Chair
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at the Haven Camberwell since 2000.
Jo Delaforce has spent many years working in a variety of acute medical and surgical specialties including sexual
health and eight years in a busy South London A&E department. Jo is now a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Haven
Camberwell a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and has been involved in its development and growth to achieve
the title “Centre of Excellence” in providing care for victims of sexual violence. Jo’s roles have evolved from
Practice Development Nurse to her present position, which include many roles including staff training in sexual
health and A&E departments in south London. She is a speaker on the Haven Adult Sexual Assault Examination and
Aftercare course and has presently been invited to partake in the working group for Developments of Standards
for SARCs with the DOH.
Jo has received a Commendation by the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police for “Outstanding
dedication and commitment to improving the service of victims of serious sexual assault” in 2004. Jo obtained
a Post Graduate Certificate in Forensic Sexology at the University of Central Lancashire in 2005 and completed
the sexual assault nurse examiners course in California USA.
Jo was also instrumental in producing the new assailant relationship categories, which are included in the Home
Office new data set. She was also heavily involved in the “Care and Evidence” awareness training DVD. As well as
the, “Clinical Guidance for Forensic Examination Following Sexual Assault.” DVD, Jo has been awarded the Nursing
Standard Sexual Health Nurse of the year 2007.
Finally, Jo highlighted the importance and the need for the UKAFN and has been the main driving force behind the
creation of the United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses. Launched in 2007, it is now a recognised forensic
association for nurses and specialists working in the field of forensic and custody care and is supported by the RCN.
Sue Fewkes - Treasurer
My name is Sue Fewkes and I am treasurer for UKAFN. I have been on the committee for UKAFN since 2004 when we had the first
meeting in London. I am married and have two children. I originally trained as a enrolled nurse at Kings College Hosp in
London in 1979, I worked mainly in ITU and eventually completed the conversion course to become an RGN in 1997.
Since 2000 I have been with Kent Police as a Forensic Nurses Practitioner and find the role challenging and unpredictable.
As for me in the spare time I do have, I swim, ride a bike and ride horses regularly, I am a helper for a riding for disabled association. My holidays are spent on ski slopes coming down or walking up them in the Lake District with the occasional input of sun holidays in the summer, depending on the Euro!
Dee Innot - Secretary
My nursing experience spans over 26 years in gynaecology / women's health, sexual health and contraceptive services.
I trained in the NHS Blackpool, Lancashire then joined and served with HM Forces Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and returned to NHS in 1989.
I worked in the Midlands and London before returning to my roots in Lancashire in 2001.
I hold a BSc (HONS) Nurse Practitioner Degree from St Martins, Lancaster University
and a Post Grad Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice from Salford University.
I have undertaken FMERSA Course with St Mary's and Manchester University
and worked in the field of sexual assault from April 2007, firstly as Crisis Worker then employed as a Forensic Nurse Examiner at the Lancashire SAFE Centre and been in post since February 2008.
I examine female and male complainants of sexual assault and rape. The Lancashire SAFE Centre covers the whole county of Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Jacqui Hilder - Membership Coordinator
My name is Jacqui and I have been on the steering group of UKAFN since 2005 and have recently taken on the role of Membership Co-ordinator.
I qualified in 1991 as a RGN in Brighton, Sussex and enjoyed 9 years working on an
orthopaedic and trauma ward, then began working as a
practice nurse and in that time gained the ENB R71, Diploma in Women's Reproductive and Sexual Health and ran Young Persons Drop in Clinics
until starting work with Sussex Police as a Forensic Nurse Practitioner in 2004. I undertook the Level 3 FMERSA in Manchester at in 2007.
I enjoy the variety and the unpredictability of the job and until recently worked in a dual role examining the complainants of sexual assault
until a change in policy.
I am married with 1 daughter. In my spare time I like cycling and walking along the beach and enjoy nice wine and eating out.
Christine Donohue - Newsletter Editor
I am a Forensic Nurse Examiner at St Mary’s Sexual
Assault Referral Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester. I have been performing forensic medical examinations for over five years.
I have been a steering group member from the early days of the Association being established.
I had the honour of speaking at the launch of the Association in March 2007 alongside other forensic nursing colleagues.
I am a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurse Examiners.
I have been involved, in the training of Forensic Nurse Examiners in Southern Ireland.
I have completed the St Mary’s Course-Forensic and Medical Examination for Rape and Sexual Assault.
I perform forensic medical examinations of male and female adult and adolescent complainants of rape and sexual assault.
I provide emergency contraception, post exposure prophylaxis and sexually transmitted infection treatment and advice.
I provide daytime cover for examinations to complement the forensic physician team. I provide advice and training to healthcare professionals.
John Allinson-Smith - Forum Moderator
I live and
work in Somerset and for the past two years and nine months have been working full time for the police in three different counties. At present
I work for a private company who employ me to work for Avon and Somerset police as a custody nurse. I am currently single and my hobbies include being selected
to shoot for England in the world hunter field target competitions over Easter of this year and playing beginners tennis.
Jennie Smith
Since July 2008 I have been the Forensic Nurse
Team Leader for Merseyside Police. The team consists of 7 Forensic Nurse Practitioners who cover the three busiest
custody suites in Merseyside. The team has been in place since Sept 2008 and is a pilot project for 2 years,
when it will be reviewed.
I have worked in a variety of different areas since qualifying in 1993.
A busy Accident and Emergency department in Liverpool city centre and several night clubs in Liverpool.
I have also worked in the Pharmaceutical industry and gained vast knowledge of several areas
including HIV, Psychiatry, ITU and Haematology. All of my experiences have been invaluable in the
implementation of this new team.