National Clinical Coding Roadmap

Sue is a specialist with over 35 years of experience in training, audit, standard setting, classification authoring, mapping, organisational change, mortality data review, data analysis and research. She has worked at hospital, regional and national level and in the commercial sector in the UK and overseas. NHS roles have included Head of Clinical Coding and Data Quality at the Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Head of Clinical Coding at the East and North Herts NHS Trust. Sue is currently a Clinical Coding Lead for GIRFT and an independent coding specialist, trainer and auditor.

Joy has been the Deputy Head of Clinical Coding at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust since November 2024, her remit is the delivery of the improvement programme and managing the operations of the 90 strong Clinical Coding Department.

Joy is also an NHS Approved Clinical Coding Trainer and Auditor and holds a TAP diploma in training delivery, both online and in person. Joy has a wealth of experience, having started Clinical Coding in 2013 and progressing to the role of Training and Audit Manager in 2019.

Carolyn Cooper has 22 years of professional experience in Clinical Coding, NHS data analytics, and digital transformation. Her career has seen her progress from a clinical coder at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals trust to Head of clinical coding at East Sussex hospitals where she gained her auditor and trainer qualifications. She spent 4 years as a senior consultant, specialising in clinical coding at Tribal Health and Capita before returning to the NHS as Head of Clinical Analytics and Clinical Coding at Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst at GSTT, she was responsible for leading a very successful improvement programme, supported the Apollo programme (which saw EPIC implemented across GSTT and Kings Colleg Hospitals) and established an enterprise data warehouse that led to the creation of over 600 data driven clinical improvement use cases, such as the award winning Data led care programme.

She is fuelled by a passion for data as a tool to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and foster innovation and sustainability within healthcare. She has undertaken two national roles as lead auditor for the PbR Assurance framework and professional lead for the NCCQ, as IHRIM’s Associate director of Education. 

Carolyn is currently the Clinical coding, data and analytics specialist at Woodwards Associates where she is focused on the digital transformation of clinical coding. 

Christian has 11 years experience across Clinical Coding services in the public sector and is currently the UHN Head of Clinical Coding.

He holds a BSc in Biomedical Science and has a particular interest in driving efficiency and innovation in the coding industry, identifying opportunities for process optimisation and implementing data-driven solutions.

His fundamental approach is to support the professional development of his teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Matthew Garner has over 15 years of experience within the NHS, having contributed to a variety of departments, including Medical Records, Patient Access, Endoscopy Scheduling, Clinical Coding, and Business Intelligence and Performance. In his current role as a Senior Information Analyst at Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust, Matthew leverages his strong foundation as a nationally qualified clinical coder to deliver data-driven insights and solutions. Matthew is also an RPA Developer and Solution Designer, leading innovative automation projects, with a primary focus on creating and implementing automated clinical coding solutions that enhance efficiency and accuracy. His expertise and dedication to modernizing NHS processes continue to generate groundbreaking approaches that bring substantial benefits.

Registered Clinical Coding Auditor since 2007, have been involved in PbR audits and Information Governance Audits at about 55 NHS Trusts across the country (as Professional Lead for Audit at Tribal Consulting Ltd.), also involved in Internal rolling audits at Imperial and Chelsea & Westminster hospital NHS Trusts in London. Involved as an apprentice clinical coding trainer in delivering clinical coding foundation course at Kings College Hospital London. 18 years of Auditing experience and 22 years of Clinical Coding experience.

I am an experienced leader in clinical coding with a career spanning 19 years in the NHS. Currently serving as Head of Coding and PbR Assurance, as well as Kent and Medway Strategic Coding Lead, I am is deeply passionate about the power of clinically coded data and its role in shaping healthcare decisions, resource allocation, and patient outcomes.

My journey in clinical coding began as a Trainee Clinical Coder, progressing through various roles, including NHS Approved Clinical Coding Trainer and Head of Coding. My expertise and dedication have positioned me as a key figure in driving coding accuracy and data quality across NHS trusts.

Beyond technical excellence, I am a strong advocate for compassionate and effective leadership, believing that supporting and empowering teams is essential for success in healthcare.

I am committed to mentoring, training, developing careers and fostering a positive culture within the coding profession.

With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, I remains dedicated to enhancing clinical coding standards and ensuring that coded data is recognized for its critical impact on healthcare services and patient care.

In my current role as Kent and Medway Strategic Coding Lead I am driving forward collaboration in all aspects of coding. Involving not only our acute trusts but mental health and shortly our community hospitals. This will create consistent and comparable data across Kent and Medway showing a true picture of our patient health and ultimately providing better care.