Our new nurse specialists

Eight IBD nurse specialists, who recently joined our nursing programme, attended their first community day on 19 October.

We know what an important part that IBD nurse specialists play in providing high-level care. So, in 2019, we launched the Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nursing Programme to help drive up standards and raise awareness of our information, resources and values.

“This ground-breaking programme is designed to create Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nurse Specialists who are well-trained, supported and visible in hospitals,” explains Nurse Consultant Isobel Mason, who is responsible for service development.

“We are working with NHS employers, universities and the Royal College of Nursing to guide IBD nurses in their careers, share best practices, provide access to charity resources, and get them the qualifications they need to provide advanced levels of care for their patients.

“In return, we get all the benefit of these inspirational nurses working closely with the charity and its supporters. We now have 22 Crohn’s & Colitis UK Nurse Specialists providing improved care for their patients across the UK.”

Greater understanding

Lisa Critchley works at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she became an IBD clinical nurse specialist in 2019. 

“The programme will provide me with the qualifications I need to become more of an independent practitioner,” says Lisa.

“The first community day was fantastic. I gained a greater understanding of what the charity has to offer, not only for us as IBD nurse specialists, but for our patients living with Crohn’s and Colitis.

“Overall, I really felt a sense of support from the programme leaders and the other IBD nurse specialists on the course.”

Exciting opportunity

Kay Crook has been a registered paediatric nurse for 21 years. Since 2013 she has worked at St Mark’s Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital in London as a paediatric gastroenterology clinical nurse specialist.

Kay says, “The community day gave us an overview of how Crohn’s & Colitis UK works as an organisation and already I can see how to incorporate some of the information gained to enhance service delivery. 

“It is a very exciting opportunity for me to integrate a more patient-directed focus into the high-quality clinical care that patients expect.”

Working with pride

Tina Law is senior IBD nurse specialist at Warrington Hospital. She has been working as an IBD nurse specialist for 15 years.

“I found the first day very interesting, learning about how the charity works and how the different groups come together to work for our patients,” Tina says.

“Crohn’s & Colitis UK is a fabulous source of information for patients, carers, families and professionals. I have always been involved in fundraising and hosting awareness days to raise money and appreciation of the charity.

“I am looking forward to working with the charity to improve services within my local area, both in primary and secondary care.

“I am proud to be able to call myself a Crohn’s & Colitis Nurse Specialist.”