University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (SUHT)
For patients who live near to Southampton, we work closely with the clinical team based at Southampton General Hospital so that some or all patient care can be given there. We ‘meet’ by video-conference regularly to review and plan treatments.
The team at SUHT include:
I began my career at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in the Wessex Neurological Centre as an audio typist and quickly progressed to a secretary in neurosurgery. I was then promoted to Principal Secretary within the skull-based team, where I also managed a team of secretaries.
In 2006, I transitioned into the role of MDT Coordinator in neuro-oncology—an area where my background in neurology proved invaluable. In 2019, I reduced my working hours and took on a new role as an MDT Coordinator in sarcoma. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I supported the sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist team one day a week through agency work.
In 2024, I was appointed as a Sarcoma Cancer Support Worker for one day a week alongside my MDT duties. In 2025, I fully transitioned from the MDT role and now work three days a week as a Sarcoma Cancer Support Worker, where I also support the Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) project.
I joined University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in September 2018, initially working on the Quality-of-life project. Following the successful completion of this work, I transitioned into the role of Cancer Support Worker. In this capacity, I supported a variety of teams – including gynaecology, lung, breast, myeloma and skin cancer services – and contributed to the work in the Macmillan Centre.
These experiences provided me with a broad and valuable foundation, which I have brought into my current role. In January 2021, I joined the sarcoma team, where I have been proud to work ever since.
I have worked for the NHS for over 20 years. I have 16 years’ experience in medical oncology, as a chemotherapy nurse, I have extensive experience of both Lymphoma and Sarcoma and advanced skills in palliative care. Utilising my palliative care experience, I have worked for a period for the South-Central Organ Donation team. I have recently joined the Sarcoma team here in Southampton as a nurse specialist. The role is about being an advocate for our patients who have been given the diagnosis of sarcoma. We work in a collaborative team to provide seamless specialist support and advice to all patients throughout their pathway.
I undertook a one year specialist fellowship in orthopaedic oncology at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. In Southampton, I treat patients where cancers from other locations have spread to the bone. I also see patients with a suspected bone/soft tissue sarcoma and ensure they are channelled in the correct treatment pathway.
My role encapsulates a range of processes that combine to provide a singular patient-led service. Specifically tailored to individuals being investigated for a potential sarcoma.
The process begins when a patient is referred to us (usually via a GP, but sometime from other sources). At this stage I send a letter of introduction to the patent and a leaflet, providing a brief guide to why they have been referred and explaining who I am. From that point onward, I become an advocate for the patient and work tirelessly to ensure that they are supported and expedited through the process.
All patients are screened via a virtual screening clinic with a mandatory ultrasound soft tissue and proforma that includes relevant clinical history. I ensure that these mandatory details are present and correct to expedite the process.
My role provides the patient with a constant point of contact for support, guidance, and reassurance. Each stage of the diagnostic pathway is broken down and communicated to the patient. Whether it be the referral process itself, biopsy information or providing a benign diagnosis.
I often liaise with other professionals as a vital part of the role, including consultant oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and clinical nurse specialists. Due to covering a large demographic area, I am often in contact with other colleagues and hospitals including our partners within the London Sarcoma Service.
As the role has developed, I have been able to introduce other processes to the role, to improve patient experience, and build upon the framework of what was originally envisioned.
I view my role with a sense of duty. Taking into consideration the emotional baggage that can inextricably find itself to any patient that has been told they are being investigated for a possible cancer diagnosis. Undertaking this role has taught me that the word ‘cancer’ can trigger a wide range of emotions within a person. Often due to past experiences and perhaps a fear of the unknown. I’m very proud to be able to calmly discuss the logistics, struggles and reasonings behind the referral process, and have found this to be an overwhelmingly positive attribute of the sarcoma service as a whole. Furthermore, the opportunity to discuss and educate on referral pathways and sarcoma, fill me with optimism for the future of our service and cancer care, too.
I was selected on to the Wessex Clinical Radiology Training Programme and successfully attained Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) qualification before completing a fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK. I gained experience in complex orthopaedic imaging, radiofrequency ablation and bone and soft tissue tumour imaging and biopsy.
I have training in nuclear medicine bone SPECT/CT imaging.
I have recently completed a diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of South Wales.
I was appointed to a Consultant post in Southampton in 2017.
I joined the Sarcoma team in 2009. My role is to provide specialist support & information to patients & their carers from diagnosis & throughout their pathway of care. We work together as a team to provide seamless care for our patients.
I hold regular chemotherapy workshops for patients, we also coordinate a Sarcoma support group here at Southampton.
Particular interests within this subspecialty include Sarcoma and Head & Neck Imaging.
I lead an active clinical trials programme in breast cancer and sarcoma in Southampton and have been involved in the development and oversight of a number of national breast cancer clinical trials. I have also been a member of the NCRI Breast and Testicular Cancer Clinical Studies Groups.
I am a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist. I have been working in Southampton General Hospital since February 2013 and my area of interest is musculoskeletal radiology: bone imaging, joint imaging, spine imaging, sport injuries imaging, soft tissue disorders, bone and soft tissue tumours and image guided diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
​Since September 2018 I am also the director of the radiology training programme in Southampton General Hospital.
