‘I often think to myself, I am so lucky to have this job’: Meet Oncology Nurse Sarah

The Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH will offer life-changing and life-saving care for more children due to a 20% increase in capacity.

More space will mean larger patient rooms where families can have meals and stay together. There will also be an increased focus on nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing, which will include bigger communal rooms and more outdoor spaces.

“Parents have commented that there isn’t a lot of space for families to meet and speak to each other. We do have a family room, but it's separate to the kitchen, and not large enough for good conversations. It’s really important they can build relationships with other families because they're going through similar experiences,” Sarah says.

“Having an outdoor space where families can meet and build those relationships will really help them through their treatment and improve their experience while they're here.

“We will also have a chef, gym and therapy space on the ward.”

The Oncology nursing team have played a vital role in the development of plans for the new centre. Sarah has been involved in the process and coordinated feedback from her team.

She says the new facilities will help push the high standard of care even further.

“It’s not only for the patients, but you'll get benefits for staff as well,” Sarah says. “I think managing a team that has the right facilities to do the job and that they want to do to a high standard will be incredible. They are doing that now, but they are limited by the space that they have here.

“So having better facilities will help the team to be able to provide the care that they already do but continue to push even more.”

In the 15 years Sarah has worked at GOSH, she has progressed from a nurse to a ward sister. It’s a rewarding journey for someone who dreamed of working in the hospital since she was a teenager.

“It's an amazing place to work. I always knew I wanted to work in paediatrics and to work in one of the best paediatric hospitals in the world. It’s incredible to have achieved it.”

As a ward sister, Sarah is responsible for the overall running of Lion Ward.

She ensures quality of care is at the highest standard, that the nursing team is supported to be the best it can be, and the ward provides the best patient experience.

“This role is so varied. You have to pull yourself in many different ways,” she says.

“As a ward manager it is your responsibility to support the team and ensure the service runs smoothly.  It is my responsibility to make sure high standards of care are maintained and patient safety is priority.”

“When coming into this role, I didn’t appreciate how big the job was. The role is so varied, no day looks the same. That’s part of the reason why I love it so much.”

Sarah says one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is seeing children get better and watching them ring the end of treatment bell. This is a milestone moment for many cancer patients at GOSH, who ring the bell to mark the end of their treatment.

“It’s a nice moment for the families and for us. We follow the patient through from their diagnosis to the end of their treatment. We support them through the most difficult time of their lives and watch them navigate the highs and lows of treatment. To see them get to the end and ring the bell is a really special moment.

“These moments keep us going.”

Sarah has many memories of her time at GOSH, but she says it’s the small moments that can be the most impactful. One standout moment for her was when she was working as a nurse on Lion Ward.

“It was just a normal day. A little boy and a little girl who were both going through cancer treatment met in the playroom. The little boy was telling the girl about his nasogastric tube. And she was showing him her PICC [peripherally inserted central catheter] line. It was just lovely to see that interaction.

“I often think to myself, I am so lucky to have this job and to be able to help our patients and their families. That memory has stayed with me. Even on the tough days, I remember how I felt that day.”

The Children’s Cancer Centre will have children at its heart.

Hospital staff already care for children with the hardest to treat cancers but the new facilities in the Children’s Cancer Centre will mean staff like Sarah can deliver the very best patient experience.

Find out more about the plans for the new centre, and how you can help us build it.