Meet our specialist Children's nurses

Our Children’s nurses understand both the importance to parents and children of being ‘listened to’ and the difference that delivering the appropriate clinical care to children in an environment which is tailored for children can make.

We fully appreciate that bringing your child into hospital can be an anxious time for the whole family which is why we offer parents and carers the opportunity for children to visit the hospital in advance of their operation so that they are familiar with the hospital environment and can meet the nurses who will be looking after them.

 Kimberley Wardle 

Deputy Director of Clinical Services

I qualified as a paediatric nurse in 2008 at the University of Birmingham with an honours degree. I am a qualified mentor and assessor and hold paediatric high dependency and Advanced Paediatric Life Support qualifications. I also have skills in paediatric recovery, childhood vaccinations and phlebotomy.

I spent four years developing my clinical skills and knowledge base around Paediatric burns assessment and management at Birmingham Children’s Hospital National Burn’s Centre and gained experience in medical and surgical intervention, before building my portfolio in children’s emergency management to become a Sister in a busy paediatric emergency department.

I now work full-time at Spire Leicester Hospital as the Deputy Director of Clinical Services alongside leading the Children and Young Peoples (CYP) team, continuing the expansion of a successful, positive and individualised service to children, young people and their families. I am a member of the Spire Healthcare Paediatric Steering Group, supporting the development of CYP services nationally to provide high-quality patient care in outstanding environments.

I am mum to an energetic eight year old who keeps me very busy outside of work. I like to travel and explore new places, Italy being my favourite!

Alicia Gartshore 

Deputy Lead, Children and Young People's Service

I qualified as a paediatric nurse in 2014 from De Montfort University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. In addition to this, I am a qualified mentor and assessor and since starting here at Spire I have successfully completed my Level 4 Safeguarding training and gained an Advanced Paediatric Life Support qualification.

I began my nursing career on a general surgical ward at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) where I developed a keen interest in Paediatric Orthopaedics. I spent four years as a staff nurse gaining experience and a variety of clinical skills on both paediatric surgical wards at the LRI, before taking on the role of Paediatric Orthopaedic Deputy Sister.

I joined the CYP team at Spire Leicester Hospital in November 2019 as the Deputy Lead for Children and Young People Services and am passionate and enthusiastic about the continuing development of the Children and Young Peoples service.

I keep myself busy outside of work socialising with family and friends and spoiling my miniature dachshund Walt with long walks and lots of treats!

Kerry Ball

Senior Staff Nurse

I qualified as a paediatric nurse in 1997 at Wolverhampton University with a diploma in higher education. I have an ENB 998 in Teaching and Assessing which enables me to teach and support student nurses.

I started my nursing career on a general children’s ward at Queen’s Hospital in Burton on Trent, working my way up to senior staff nurse level. My experience covers medical, surgical, orthopaedic, high dependency, neonatal, emergency and psychiatric nursing. I was an established team leader and link children’s nurse for infant feeding, bereavement and palliative care. I took some time away from the ward in 2002, spending a year working as a school nursing sister in a residential school for children with learning and communication difficulties before returning to Queen's Hospital as a senior staff nurse.

I joined Spire Leicester Hospital in 2012, where I worked full time until July 2016 to help establish the new services for children. I returned briefly to the NHS to work on the children’s surgical and medical day case ward at Derby Children’s Hospital while continuing to work as a bank nurse at Spire, supporting the paediatric team before returning permanently in August 2019. 

I am qualified in Advanced Paediatric Life Support, paediatric phlebotomy and vaccination.

Outside of work, I am a proud mum of two and also have two fur babies – crazy rescue dogs! I love cooking, knitting and have taught myself to crochet and can just about manage to make a woolly hat!

Hannah Snow

Deputy Lead CYP Nurse

I qualified as a Paediatric Nurse in 2009 from De Montfort University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. As a newly qualified Children’s Nurse my rotation began on the Children’s Assessment Unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary giving me a broad skills and knowledge base.

I then moved to the Children’s High Dependency Unit where I cared for children with acute and chronic illnesses - often life threatening. I thrived in this intense and emotional environment finding nursing children with respiratory illnesses - especially those on long term ventilation - particularly rewarding. In 2014 I took up a three month placement at the Children’s East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC) caring for children from birth to 18 years with a wide variety of cardiac conditions. I now work part-time as a Senior Children’s Nurse within the Paediatric team at Spire Leicester.

I have qualifications in Student Mentorship (2011), LCAT assessment (2015) and have undertaken an additional course at De Montfort University in High Dependancy Care (2013).

I am mum to two very adventurous and energetic children! As a family we enjoy outdoor spaces, gardening and sports. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends especially if it involves a spa environment!! To relax, I like a cup of tea and a book – and also enjoy yoga.

Sarah Hirst

Senior Staff Nurse

I qualified as a children’s nurse in 2010 at De Montfort University in Leicester, beginning my career as a newly qualified nurse on the paediatric high dependency unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. I cared for children with acute and chronic conditions often requiring emergency, life-saving care. I loved my role and spent a further five years on the unit developing a variety of skills.

In 2015 I moved to the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield Hospital to be a part of the children’s cardiac team. Here I cared for a variety of young people, from tiny new born babies requiring immediate intervention after birth, up to teenagers requiring surgery or on-going medical treatment.

Along the way I completed a variety of courses including Leadership and Management, Mentorship and Advance Paediatric Life Support and am due to complete the European Paediatric Advanced Life support in 2020.

In October 2019 I made the exciting move to join the Children and Young People’s team at Spire Leicester. I am thoroughly enjoying nursing here and am happy to be part of a passionate, dedicated team!

Outside of work I am mum to a three year old little girl, who is full of life and keeps me on my toes, a football mad, chatterbox 11 year old son and step-mum to a beautiful 10 year old dancing queen! I love to spend time having fun and making memories with my husband and our children.