AfPP South West Region
Women’s Health
6 June 2009
The South West Regional team have triumphed yet again and hosted a winning study day for
perioperative practitioners in the South West.
This one took place at an excellent venue in the holiday resort of Weston Super Mare and was
extremely well attended by delegates giving up their precious time to make it such a success.
The theme of the day was Women’s health including cervical and breast awareness and was opened
by South West Regional Team Lead Stephanie Freeman, followed by an overview of the function of
AfPP by Sandra Huntington, a Trustee of AfPP.
The morning was dedicated to cervical awareness and began with Stephanie, with her other hat on as
a trainee nurse colposcopist. She delivered a very informative session about the cervical screening
programme in the UK and the effect that celebrity Jade Goody has had on the public perception of
cervical cancer with an increased uptake of cervical screening. She also explained the colposcopy
procedure and follow-up treatments. Stephanie also advised the audience on the training involved to
qualify as a nurse colposcopist and was very encouraging as it was a very rewarding job.
The next speaker was Dr Jo Bailey, a consultant Gynaecological Oncologist from St Michael’s
Hospital in Bristol. Her session gave an overview of cervical cancer surgical procedures undertaken
from minor to very major procedures. She mentioned that this is the second most frequent cancer for
young women aged 15-44 in Europe and due to this age group awareness of the implications for
preservation of fertility is a major consideration when treating them. She made her theatre team in the
audience smile when she mentioned that she was going on yet another training course to learn a new
procedure involving yet more equipment in theatre!
Gynaecological Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialists Jayne Alexander and Katy Horton-Fawkes, also
from St Michael’s Hospital, were next to enlighten the audience on a post that perioperative
practitioners don’t get much chance to hear about as it all goes on outside the theatre doors. They
explained that support to the patients and their families and information giving was a vital part of their
role. The public perception and stigma of cervical cancer is very negative and it is a very anxious time
for the patient and their families with long term impacts. They also mentioned the registered charity
Jo’s trust based in London which provides information leaflets and support to cervical cancer patients.
After lunch the study day was devoted to breast awareness and began with Specialist Breast Care
Nurse Claire Garnell from Weston General Hospital, giving an overview of the breast screening
programme in the UK. She mentioned that 40,000 breast cancers were diagnosed each year in the
UK, interestingly 1 per cent of this figure was in men. Claire explained the availability of the ‘one stop
clinic’ with all tests being carried out on the same day to provide a diagnosis.
Claire described the surgical breast procures that can be performed once diagnosis is made. Catelina
Estela, a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol carried on from this to give an
illuminating presentation on breast reconstruction procedures illustrating her talk with pictures of
‘before’ and fantastic ‘after’ results.
The day concluded with a brief talk by Rebecca Asling, a lady who has been through the process of
diagnosis of breast cancer (whilst pregnant with twins) and subsequent surgery. A humbling
experience for all in the audience with a very happy ending as Rebecca was able to reunite with her
surgeon Catalina as neither knew each other would be at the study day together.
Many thanks go to Michelle the venue organiser, also to Peggy and the catering team at Weston
General for the fare provided, and to the medical company Mentor who attended on the day and
helped with sponsorship.
In conclusion, this study day was very poignant as it was the last gathering of the south west team in
its current format. This was Stephanie’s last study day as the team lead for the region. She has
recently taken up a post as one of the Trustees on the AfPP Board. Her enthusiasm and leadership
skills will be sadly missed by the team, and they wish her all the very best of luck for her future with
AfPP.
Stephanie has passed the role of team lead to Sally Pentecost who has all the attributes to guide the
restructured team through the current changes and uphold the successful reputation of AfPP in the
South West.
Sadly the team also say a fond farewell to Lesley Fudge and Allison Faulkner as they step down from
their roles after too many years to mention of support to AfPP at regional level. Lesley and Allison will
continue to be in touch through their Friends of African Nursing (FoAN) connections and again lots of
luck is sent to them for the future.
Allison Faulkner
Editorial Lead
South West Regional Team