Meet the team of Paediatric Surgical Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
Rebecca Seymour: RGN, RSCN, BSc, MSc
Erica Thomas: RGN, RSCN, BSc, MSc.
Emma White: RGN, RSCN, BSc, MSc
What do we do?
Surgical ANPs are highly experienced clinical nurses who have studied nursing at university and have then gone on to complete a Master's Degree. We work in collaboration with the surgeons for the benefit for children who are looked after by the Paediatric Surgery and Urology department at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff.
As ANPs we can assess, diagnose, treat, and manage children presenting with a suspected surgical illness who attend hospital through the CEAU (Assessment Unit) or ED (Emergency Department). We can do much of what the surgeons do, but not the surgery in the operating theatres.
Surgical ANPs can offer both patients and their families the support and resources to manage their healthcare and, when required, refer on to other specialist teams. Some examples are families who have concerns about gastrostomies, medication, catheters, wound care, or damaged Hickman lines. Any reviews and changes to treatment plans are communicated back to the child’s own Consultant to ensure safe and continuous care.
The ANP team leads two clinics in the Starfish outpatient department; one for congenital phimosis (non-retractile foreskin), and one for bowel management relating to children born with congenital lower GI conditions (Hirschsprung’s Disease and Anorectal Malformations).
Our team is involved in teaching programmes for other healthcare professionals on the hospital wards, in the community, and in the classroom setting. We have developed several Parent Educations leaflets to provide patients and families with additional support.
This educational role allows us to support the professional development of other nurses in the field of paediatric surgery, and for the benefit of our patients and wider community.
As well as supporting children and their families within the hospital we are also available to be contacted by other healthcare professionals from outside of the Children’s hospital. In this way we can offer information and advice to help with our patients’ on-going care.