Meet the team

Having worked within the cancer family history service for the last eight years and the trust for over 28 years, Allison is the lead for the service, with a nursing career that began in the late 1990s. The most rewarding aspect of her role is the ability to create a meaningful connection with patients, tailoring inclusivity for all service users and equitable access to the service.

Family histories can be complicated and as the service strives to capture the wider population, health professionals have the privilege of gathering information at hospital appointments, patients' bedsides, in their homes or even preparing them for surgery. They will already be sharing their health, and their loved ones.  It is the significance of these conversations which can help with identifying individual cancer risk factors, tailored intervention, cancer surveillance, early detection and improving treatment outcomes.

There are many different conditions and syndromes linked to a cancer risk and as genomics heads into mainstream practice, Allison and the team are stepping forward to deliver bespoke education to support all service users.

Since joining the trust in 2013 as an operating department practitioner, Elizabeth has worked across critical care services and has an impressive wealth of clinical knowledge appreciating the complexity of disease and the significance of early detection.

Elizabeth joined the cancer family history service in 2023 and provides a comprehensive and accurate risk assessment for patients and family members. As the service is the agreed gateway keepers to screening and surveillance, Elizabeth supports the patients in understanding both appropriate and early screening and discusses eligibility for genetic testing. She also provides tailored education and support to clinical areas regarding genetic testing, gene faults and referral into the service.

After working for an established GP practice for several years, Jackie joined joined the cancer family history service at the trust. With over 30 years experience and impressive wealth of knowledge, Jackie is a crucial member of the team offering support and advice to clinical areas and patients when referring into the service.

She works patiently with families to build and investigate family histories and along with leading the administration process. This information is interpreted and finalised with the drawing of an electronic family tree, which results in a format to be shared with the wider clinical team.

Having regular contact with other trusts and genetic centres, Jackie works collaboratively and ensures all information is gathered to allow for an accurate risk assessment.

Tracy is the newest member of the team. Whilst she may be new to the trust, the service is privileged to have Tracy join the team in early 2025 with an extensive knowledge of administration skills that span over three decades. Tracy will facilitate the referral process and assist with administration tasks that are critical to a smooth and seamless administration pathway.

Her administration background includes working in the social care and charity sectors offering multiple services to families in the community. The importance of “making a difference” is a phrase Tracy stated In her application to join the team and, along with a great understanding of digitalisation in the workplace, the team looks forward to her input with new ideas for growth of the service.