SPOTLIGHT: CONSULTANT NURSE


A DAY’S WORK


ALL IN


“ Staff at the Trust have so much knowledge and so many skills.”


Dr Victoria Harmer is Macmillan consultant nurse for breast care at the Trust.


MY ALARM GOES OFF … at 07.00 but I always hit snooze. It’s a 13 minute walk to quickly check in at the office at St Mary’s Hospital, and I’m at my desk at Charing Cross by 08.20.


I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR … service delivery and improvements for screening and symptomatic services. I head up a team of nine nurse specialists and act as a key worker for people who are diagnosed with breast cancer.


I GOT MY JOB …


after breast services merged in 2011. I have worked for the Trust since 1999 and I have an undergraduate diploma in nursing from Kings’ College, an MBA from Westminster Business School and a doctorate in healthcare.


MY TYPICAL DAY … centres around the large number of Dr Victoria Harmer, Macmillan consultant nurse for breast care


clinics I am responsible for, including diagnostic, post-operative and plastics. I eat a quick lunch at my desk, followed by further clinics and updating patient records.


Every Wednesday we run a clinic where we tattoo new nipples for mastectomy patients. After receiving a donation by a former patient, the service bought a tattoo machine and paid for me to learn how to tattoo. It’s my favourite clinic because it’s an intense and intimate experience.


MY MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT …


was being named Nursing Times cancer nurse of the year. Winners are voted for by their patients and that means a lot.


THE HARDEST PART OF MY JOB … is making sure that our services continue to develop so that we


empower people to be in charge of their own care.


THE BEST PART OF MY JOB … is working with the hugely experienced team. Staff at the Trust have so much knowledge and so many skills in their armoury and the Trust has a vast range of services in comparison to smaller hospitals.


OUTSIDE WORK, YOU WILL FIND ME …


travelling. Earlier this year I visited Borneo and Malaysia and am planning for a trip to Fiji. I am an advanced scuba diver and have travelled across the world to dive with sharks, turtles, and my all-time favourite: Picasso triggerfish. Oh and I also work advising actors and directors on portraying breast cancer accurately. I’ve had the privilege of working with actors from Drew Barrymore to Dame Barbara Windsor.


FURTHER READING


Breast Cancer Awareness Month


22 /Pulse


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual, worldwide campaign involving thousands of organisations, to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research. The Trust is collaborating with Mencap and other organisations to run events for people with learning difficulties who have breast cancer. To find out more, visit Breast Cancer Now’s website, breastcancernow.org


www.imperial.nhs.uk


JIRI HERA / ADOBE STOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24