Karen qualified as a nurse in 1986 and then as a midwife in 1988 in Cardiff.
Her midwifery career has seen her work across hospital and community settings, setting up a continuity ‘Changing Childbirth’ team and initiating the first substance misuse midwifery post in Wales.
Her passion has always been in relation to public health and maternity care, believing that strong foundations in maternal health lead to the best start for mum and baby. As a Consultant Midwife for 14 years in Cardiff, her interests have included raised BMI, domestic abuse, smoking in pregnancy, female genital mutilation and the care of asylum seekers.
Karen joined Welsh Government in November 2016 as Nursing Officer for Maternity and Early Years. Her role in Welsh Government within the Chief Nursing Officer's office is to lead policy and advise on maternity services, health visiting and school nursing.
