Ros Chown
Senior Health Advisor Sexual Health & HIV
Torbay Sexual Medicine Service
Castle Circus Health Centre
Torquay
Devon
TQ2 5YH

01803 656515
Rosalind.chown@nhs.net

Ros has worked in sexual health for 20 years, initially, as a staff nurse in Addenbrookes GUM Department, in Clinic 1A (1989).  Following a move to Yorkshire she worked briefly in “Jimmy’s” hospital in Leeds. In 1992, Ishe returned to GUM, initially as a nurse in Wakefield, until she was appointed as a Health Advisor.  In 1994 Ros attended a Health Advisor course in Sheffield that included placements at Sheffield and Bradford GUM clinics.

Following the course, Ros joined SHASTD, and became North East Regional Rep. This was a great opportunity for networking with Health Advisor colleagues across the UK.  In 2003, she moved to Devon, and worked as a Nurse Advisor for NHS Direct, then as a School Nurse, with a particular interest in sexual health promotion, very useful experience for Health Advisors!

In 2005, she was appointed Senior Health Advisor in Torbay. She works with a team of 4 Health Advisors, in a rapidly expanding integrated sexual health service.

Her particular professional interest is historical aspects of sexual health, particularly the developing role of Health Advisors. Ros has a wonderful private collection of old medical and nursing books, including an original copy of the Royal Commission on Venereal Disease 1916.

She has a life outside work!  Ros loves her dogs, loves her 3 little free range hens, and loves knitting and making (or buying) jewellery, … or shoes……. or Vivienne Westwood …