Support Specialists Challenges and Ambitions

Support Specialists

Caroyln Smith

Carolyn Smyth is the new National Lead Nurse at  Nerve Tumours UK. She explains her plans for the role.

I have been a Specialist Advisor since 2000. Unbelievably, I will have been in post for 19 years this November!
I had completed a Genetic Counselling course at Great Ormond Street and I remember applying for my current job and thinking I will have a look through my course work and read up on NF.... there was no mention of it! I looked at the charity website and saw the often quoted NF1 strapline
“Most common, least known genetic condition”. Things have improved  since then, but there is still plenty of work to be done, raising awareness  and improving the lives of those with this condition.

I am very fortunate to have been working with Mel Murrell for the past year (Mel recently featured in the Nerve Tumours UK Magazine). Just to re-cap, I cover Staffordshire, Shropshire and West Midlands, whilst Mel covers Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

As with all our jobs,  I will be flexible to cover commitments to NF Clinics, school visits and so forth. It’s an exciting time and there is much work to do!

The challenges in this role are as great as the rewards. I have a special interest in education. I have experienced first-hand what it is like to have a child with a diagnosis of ADHD and Asperger’s. This has given me an insight into the difficulties of negotiating the EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan) and a myriad of other issues associated with Special Needs Education.

Working with families and individuals with NF is a privilege, they continue to inspire me after all these years. If you gave me a magic wand, the first thing I would do is provide clinics and support for adults with NF1 who do not fit into the complex NF1 clinic, but desperately need knowledgeable local NF advice.

My name is Rachel Beaufort-Jones and I am a Neurofibromatosis Nurse Specialist.

On Tuesday to Friday I work in Newcastle, when I support and advise individuals who have the condition within the geographical area of the North East and Cumbria. On Monday, my role as an adviser extends nationally and internationally when I work for the Nerve Tumours UK helpline. This is an incredibly important role to fulfil, as for many areas of the UK who are not so fortunate to have access to a Specialist Nurse, the helpline provides specialist support which people would be otherwise lacking within their geographical area.

During the five years I have worked with individuals who have Neurofibromatosis Type 1, I have found that the condition is not understood by the wider community and this includes many health professionals. As such, specialist support is imperative, which in turn improves health outcomes and the independence of those who would otherwise be struggling with managing their condition.

I feel very fortunate to have been given this role as I have the pleasure of connecting with so many remarkable individuals!