Trust appoints its first-ever nurse consultants

2 August 2024

Velindre University NHS Trust has appointed nurse consultants for the first time ever.

The new roles have been specifically created in the areas of acute oncology (AOS) and systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and will be based at Velindre Cancer Centre.

Ceri Stubbs has been appointed as the Trust’s new Nurse Consultant in Acute Oncology and Dr Rosie Roberts as its new Nurse Consultant in SACT. They have worked at Velindre Cancer Centre since 2007 and 1990 respectively.

Nicola Williams, Executive Director Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Science, said:

“One of our ambitions is to grow as part of our multi-professional workforce planning Advanced and Consultant Practice across all areas of the Trust. Consultant practice really enables full top of license working for people at the very top of their specialism.

“Within both blood and cancer services these roles will significantly enhance our ability to continue to provide the best possible care and services to our donors, patients and the population of Wales.

“I am so proud of both Ceri and Rosie of their achievements and I am sure they will continue to advance their clinical practice within these roles and be extremely successful.”

Nurse consultants are qualified nurses with a wealth of experience, a comprehensive range of capabilities and expertise in clinical practice, education, research, strategy and leadership. Nurses reach this level if they have progressed from an advanced level within their field gaining considerable relevant experience.

Their responsibilities include providing expert professional advice to patients and colleagues, developing or redesigning the service in their own area of expertise, leading on research, innovation and transformation and providing specialist education and training to other staff and students.

They need to be able to demonstrate competency and experience within the five pillars of clinical practice as outlined by the Royal College of Nursing, and the role can be applied to the full range of registered nurses’ careers, not just those relating to oncology covered by Velindre Cancer Centre.

Viv Cooper, Head of Nursing, Quality, Patient Experience and Integrated Care, said:

“This is such an exciting development for nursing and the services we deliver. Both colleagues who have been appointed have a huge amount of valuable experience, clinical credibility and always put the patient at the heart of all they do.

“They have received congratulations and lots of support from the whole MDT (multi-disciplinary team) which is important as we recognise we are part of a much wider team.

“I am proud to work alongside both Ceri and Rosie and look forward to seeing them develop in their new roles as they pave the way for further nurse consultant roles in the future.”