The Network Team
The core team of the Cheshire and Mersey Adult Critical Care Network (CMCCN) consists of the Lead Nurse , sessional input from a Medical Lead alongside the Specialised Services Clinical Network (SSCN) Director and Administration and Project Support Officer who both also support the activity of the Cheshire and Mersey Major Trauma Network (CMMTN).
Alexi Shenton
Director Cheshire & Mersey Critical Care and Major Trauma Specialised Services Clinical Networks
With over 15 years of experience in the NHS, Alexi is a seasoned healthcare leader with a strong background in operational management, commissioning, and project delivery. After completing the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme in General Management in 2012, Alexi went on to earn an MSc in Health and Public Leadership in 2013.
Throughout her career, Alexi has held various roles across NHS organisations, consistently driving improvements in service delivery & system performance. Most recently, she served as the Network Lead for the Cheshire & Merseyside Radiology Imaging Network, overseeing the strategic coordination of imaging services across the region, supporting collaboration, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.
Passionate about system leadership & service transformation, Alexi brings a depth of experience in navigating complex healthcare environments and delivering tangible results across multi-stakeholder settings.
Karen McMullen
Lead Nurse Cheshire and Mersey Critical Care Specialist Service Network
Karen has been the Lead Nurse for CMCCN since 2017. She has over 30 years extensive critical care nursing experience, working in a multitude of nursing roles within this time.
She is an experienced project manager and quality improvement lead. Has led many Quality Improvement projects which have been patient centred and improved services for critical care patients and their families.
Educated to masters level, she has a wealth of experience in leadership roles both locally and nationally. She has been both chair of Critical Care Network Nurse Leads Group (CC3N) and Critical Care Nursing Education Forum (CCNERF). She has also been an active member of the United Kingdom Critical Care Nursing Alliance (UKCCNA) She has contributed to many national critical care nursing policies, guidance and competences. She has recently been a co-author in the 3rd edition of Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services (GPICS).
Karen is a professional nurse advocate (PNA) and leads the national critical care nursing community of practice. She is passionate about supporting staff in the workplace and is a qualified work based coach.
She has extensive experience in education and has held many education roles within her career and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Dr Tristan Cope
Medical Lead, Cheshire and Mersey Critical Care Network
Tristan has been a consultant in critical care medicine at Aintree University Hospital since 2001. He has held a number of medical leadership roles including Clinical Director of Critical Care at Aintree, Executive Medical Director of Aintree University Hospital FT and then Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust. Tristan commenced as CMCCN Medical Lead in early 2024.
Tristan has a MSc in Medical Leadership and is a Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. He has a particular interest in Human Factors in Healthcare and its application to Patient Safety.
Lorraine Abbott
Administrator/ Project Support Officer Cheshire & Mersey Critical Care and Major Trauma Specialised Services Clinical Networks
As a graduate in business and finance Lorraine has held the position of Administration and Project Support Officer for the Cheshire and Mersey Critical Care and Major Trauma Networks since November 2022.
Lorraine has extensive experience in a variety of industries as Personal assistant at Executive level, having been employed by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Daily Post & Echo.
Prior to joining the network, she spent 12 years within the position of Personal Assistant to the Divisional Management teams and Chief Operating Officer of The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, which enabled her to gain an understanding of the strategic and corporate functioning of NHS provider Trusts.
Lorraine is enjoying her role in supporting the network team and partaking in projects that engage professionals from across the region with the objective of sharing and improving practice for the benefit of staff and patients.