“I have a lot to thank the NHS for – both as a patient and a member of staff”

Posted 3rd July 2023

Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 1992, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Germ Cell & Palliative Care Cancer Support Worker Justine, from Huyton, has experience of the NHS from both sides.

I’ve never known a world where the NHS isn’t a huge part of my life – my mum was a nurse and trained at the original Royal Liverpool University Hospital. So when I began having nausea, vomiting and drastic unexplained weight loss back in 1992, my Mum knew there was something wrong.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and was under the care of a wonderful NHS consultant, Dr Anthony Ellis. Dr Ellis not only diagnosed by condition, but I was under his care for 29 years until his retirement.

As well as being a long term patient of the NHS, I’ve been working within healthcare for nearly 20 years. My first role was supporting patients with a long term health condition, as someone who has with a serious condition myself.

I’ve also worked in Patient Advice and Liaison (PALS) and helping to run a mobile cancer support van, travelling around the country helping with cancer screening programmes and chatting to the public. I did that job for over eight years and loved it – so many people were diagnosed and treated more quickly because of that initiative. It made a real difference.

My first job as a Cancer Support Worker at The Royal Liverpool Hospital happened to be in the colorectal team and I ended up working alongside one of the surgeons who performed some of the many operations I’ve had. I was always able to tell that story when reassuring patients that Dr Rooney knew what he was doing – I was testament to what a brilliant surgeon he was.

I’ve worked here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre since December 2022. I was ready for a change and I’ve never been so happy in a role before this one. I work within our Palliative Care Team, supporting patients with incurable cancer, as well as supporting our germ cell patients – people who develop tumours in the ovaries or testicles, which are where sperm and eggs are made and therefore contain germ cells.

This role gives me the opportunity to get to know our patients and their carers and work with them for the long-term. I’m also working on some really exciting digital projects which will save our patients time and worry, allowing them to manage their health a little easier, without an appointment if an appointment isn’t necessary.

As for me, I’m really well. I now have a permanent ileostomy bag which I’m pretty used to and I’m able to live a really normal life. I love being on my motorbike and out with my dog Luca and my husband Neil – who is a retired paramedic. The NHS really does run through my family – my sister and niece are also nurses.

I’m proud to be both an NHS employee and a patient. The NHs was developed 75 years ago to enable people to have an equitable health service and providing care, no matter who you are, has always been my philosophy. All our patients deserve the same element of care, care that I’ve been lucky to receive in my life time, and I’m proud to be able to also provide that for the people I work with.