Meet the team
Germaine Pierre
Germaine Pierre MBBS, MRCPCH, MSc, is a paediatric consultant in
inherited metabolic disorders and began working at the University
Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) in August
2009 where she established the South West regional service for
paediatric metabolic patients.
Dr Efstathia Chronopoulou
Dr Chronopoulou obtained her medical degree from Cambridge
University and completed her paediatric metabolic training at the
Evelina Children's Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. She
was appointed as a paediatric metabolic consultant at Bristol Royal
Hospital for Children in 2013 and joined the Barth Syndrome Service
in 2018.
Catherine Armstrong
Catherine Armstrong MB BCh BAO, BSc is a paediatric consultant
cardiologist with an interest in inherited cardiac conditions and
began working at UHBW in 2009.
Olivia Bennett
Olivia Bennett, usually known as Liv, is the Barth Team
Administrator. She previously worked for the busy trauma and
orthopaedic service.
Gillian Alexander
Gillian Alexander, is the lead clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
who joined the team in July 2020, having worked in a variety of
specialities within the Trust since 2003. Her background includes
intensive care, transplantation, education, resuscitation and
palliative care. Gillian provides a link between the families, the
service, the wider teams, as well as coordinating the development
of the Barth Syndrome Service.
Victoria Wilkins
Victoria Wilkins is a specialist dietician and joined the Barth
Syndrome Service in January 2020 having relocated to Bristol from
Cardiff. She has been a dietitian for the last 8 years and has
worked in a number of different specialities including diabetes,
gastro, tube feeding, allergies and cystic fibrosis.
Catherine Oliver
Catherine Oliver is a specialist social worker. This is a new
role within the team to provide emotional and practical support and
advice to families on a range of matters and engage with other
statutory and voluntary agencies where necessary about your care.
Catherine qualified in 2011 and her background is in disabled
children's teams in the local authority, she has also worked as a
best interest assessor in adult services.
Sarah Buston
Sarah Buston is the principal genetic counsellor working for the
National Barth Syndrome Service and is based in the Clinical
Genetics Service at UHBW and has worked here for the last 15 years.
Sarah offers information and support to families around the genetic
aspects of Barth syndrome, helping to identify family members who
may wish to have genetic testing for Barth syndrome and also
talking about implications and options when a couple are planning
to have a baby.
Amy Pilkington
Amy Pilkington is our physiotherapist and joined the Barth
Syndrome Service in January 2021 after moving to Bristol from
Manchester. She qualified as a physiotherapist in 2013 and has
worked in both adult and children's specialties, and previously
worked at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Julia Smyth
Julia Smyth is a children's occupational therapist who joined
the team in September 2021, working two days a week. This role
involves supporting participation in work, leisure, play, and
school activities. Julia qualified as an occupational
therapist in 2009 with a clinical background is specialist
neurodisability services, respiratory services, and complex
hospital discharges. She also has an interest in clinical research,
particularly as it relates to occupational therapy practice.
