Uro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist appointed to the executive board of the British Association of Urological Nurses
Debbie Victor is a Uro-oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist based at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
With over three decades of experience in Urology, Debbie has made significant contributions to the care and services available to cancer patients across Cornwall. This includes playing an instrumental role in the introduction of supportive self-management for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, as well as nurse LED prostate biopsies. Both initiatives have received exceptional feedback from patients.
Now, Debbie has taken up a prestigious appointment to the executive board of the British Association of Urological Nurses. Sitting down to a recent interview as part of the RCHT Radio Show, Debbie explains what this new role means for her, both personally and professionally.
“It’s a great honour to accept this appointment,” Debbie says. “Being on the executive board for the British Association of Urological Nurses provides a significant opportunity in terms of organising education for people who might be new to urology, or to the care and treatments associated with it. It provides an opportunity for us to help guide legislation, for example, in terms of the National Institute of Clinical Healthcare and Clinical Excellence. Previously, I’ve been asked to help NHS England write a guideline for standardising a type of prostate biopsy, so the role means I’m giving a bit back, which I really like. It’s nice to be recognised on this level.”
Discussing the role of the British Association of Urological Nurses, Debbie explains: “The role of the association is primarily education in urology, both in terms of our patients, but also in terms of encouraging nurses to see urology as a potential career pathway. When I first began working in urology, I didn’t think it was necessarily something for me. Very quickly however I discovered so many opportunities, and so many different aspects to the role and where I could go with it.
It’s been a fantastic journey. There is so much that can be offered in terms of education, guidelines, as well as being a source of support for patients and colleagues. If there is a question that somebody has, then somebody else has already asked that question and has the answer, so it enables other people to reach out as well.”
Discussing what her goals and aspirations are, both at RCHT and within this new role, Debbie adds: “My role as part of the association is for three years. During that time, I would like to continue to uphold the standards of the association, helping with innovation and generally being a valuable member of the team. My goals and hopes for my role within Royal Cornwall Hospital is to continue to be able to do the work that I enjoy to the best of my ability with my wider team.”
Asked about the most rewarding aspect of her role at RCHT, Debbie said: “I think we offer some world class treatment here at RCHT. We do a lot of amazing things for our patients. The people I work with and the people I get to meet in my role really make the experience special for me. A lot of people don’t like the word journey when we’re referring to healthcare, but I don’t know a better way of describing it. Being there for that patient and their family during a very intense part of their journey is so rewarding.”
You can listen to our full-length interview with Debbie as part of the RCHT Podcast.
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