A nurse from NCIC has been appointed onto the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy Council (BSGE).
Caroline Bell is the nurse hysteroscopist at the trust and will be a council member for the next three years.
The British Society for Gyanecological endoscopy exists to improve standards, promote training and encouarge the exchange of information in minimal access surgery techniques for women with gyanecological problems.
It was originally founded in 1989 by a small group of consultant gyanecoogists, the society has since grown to the dynamic, active society it is today.
Caroline, who qualified as a nurse in 2002 and works at West Cumberland Hospital, said: “Three years ago I applied to be on the nurse sub-committee to represent the nurse hysteroscopists within the UK.
“Over the three years I served on the sub committee, myself and the chair Wendy Mitchell Rae, both voiced to the council that our roles were so different and that it would be more beneficial to have a nurse hysteroscopist and a endometriosis nurse specialist with chair positions.
“We were successful in gaining an extra seat on the council after a couple of years.
“To be a council member you have to be nominated by two BSGE members, and then voting takes place for all those nominated. I never thought I would be voted onto the council but I am very happy with the outcome.”
As part of her role, Caroline attends quarterly talks at the Royal College of Gyanecology (RCOG) in London.
She said: “I love my job, There are two elements to my role, hysteroscopy and cancer nurse specialist.
“My working week consists of an MDT meeting on Monday, then I see patients after this.
“On Tuesday morning I train to do colposcopy. Tuesday afternoon is a two week clinic see and treat so if the patient needs a hysteroscopy they get it on the day.
“On Wednesday I do hysteroscopy and on Thursday morning I work alongside a consultant and we see oncology patients.
“On Thursday afternoon I have a nurse led oncology clinic and Friday hysteroscopy.
“I am classed as a key worker and carry a mobile phone so those being investigated or diagnosed with cancer get my mobile number.
“I care for patients who present with post menopausal bleeding as do a lot of the nurse hysteroscopists within the UK.
"Currently we have no national guidelines for this, so I have commenced a national audit to try to show the variation in practice across the UK.
“I hope from the audit we can show the need for a national guideline and through the BSGE and RCOG we can address this.”