Meet Sarah, our new Specialist NF Nurse

My name is Sarah, and I am looking forward to joining the NTUK community in November 2023 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for people with NF1. 

I will be based in Leeds supporting families across Yorkshire and Humberside.

I qualified as a children's nurse 12 years ago. I have experience working with children and young adults with long term conditions. My nursing background includes five years in respiratory nursing; a year of this as a CNS in home ventilation. I then moved into children’s palliative care for six years; I worked as a Practice Educator and then as a CNS in hospice settings.

As a community nurse, I have worked closely with schools ensuring children are able to access education, and that staff have a good understanding of a child’s individual learning and clinical needs.

For the past three years, I have also worked part time in a teaching capacity, to support medical teams using various infusion therapy devices. I have taught carers and adult patients how to use intravenous pumps so they can receive parenteral nutrition (PN) in the home setting; these pumps have enabled people to have a good quality of life whilst living with medical complexities.

I am very passionate about caring for patients holistically and working with families. When a person is diagnosed with a long term or progressive condition, this impacts on the whole family in different ways. I have supported families receiving difficult news and listened to their fears, hopes and wishes.

Over the years, I have learnt a lot from patients and families and feel very privileged to have worked alongside such courageous and inspiring individuals.

I enjoy studying and advancing my nursing skills. In 2021-2022 I went back to university and studied clinical assessment and independent prescribing.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and catching up over coffee and cake.

I enjoy walking and spending time at a family caravan in the countryside; the caravan is surrounded by fields of sheep, and it is incredibly peaceful.

My palliative care colleagues shared their interest in crochet, I have found this a really good way to relax. I taught myself how to crochet on YouTube, and now enjoy making little gifts and care packages for friends.

I already feel very welcomed by the NTUK team, my colleagues in Leeds and colleagues from the Manchester complex service. I am looking forward to this new nursing role, sharing my experiences and learning from patients, their families and the wider team. 

If anyone wishes to make contact with Sarah, please email info@nervetumours.org.uk.

You can also reach our Specialist Advisors through our Helpline 07939 046 030 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm