Barbara Davies

The last time we had a February 29th, the world was rapidly facing up to a once-a-century collective threat. In the face of this shared catastrophe, there was always a risk of forgetting the needs of those with specific, particular and rare conditions, or combinations thereof. This Leap Day, with Covid-19 receding, though by no … Read more The condition might be rare – the willingness to learn more must remain common by Jack Nicholls Lecturer Social Work Northumbria University

Northumbria University’s remarkable achievement in winning the Times Higher Education (THE) Award for Outstanding Student Support in 2023 is a testament to its innovative approach in supporting interrupted nursing students. This prestigious recognition is not just an accolade but a reflection of the university’s commitment to nurturing future healthcare professionals. The “Supporting Interrupted Nursing Students … Read more Northumbria University’s Times Higher Education Award Triumph winning the award for outstanding student support 2023 by Associate Professor Barry Hill

There are 2 million people in the UK living with  sight loss . This number is estimated to reach 4 million by 2050. People with sight loss will have other conditions that lead to stays in hospital, so what part can family nurses play in making the experience as pleasant as possible for blind and … Read more Supporting blind and partially sighted patients during hospital stays- the role of family nursing by Eamonn Dunne Partnerships and Projects at Development Manager at Thomas Pocklington Trust. A charity primarily staffed by blind and partially sighted people and dedicated to improving the lives of those with sight loss.

Leah Rosengarten is an Assistant Professor of Children’s Nursing at Northumbria and formerly a Children and Young People’s Cancer Nurse. She is also a Trustee of Children’s Cancer North, a charity focused on improving lives for Children and Young People with Cancer. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an internationally recognised month focusing on raising … Read more September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Beacon: for rare diseases is a UK-based charity that’s building a united rare disease community with patient groups at its heart. This year marks a decade of operation for the charity after being established as Findacure in 2012. To better reflect the charity’s values and mission, Findacure was rebranded as Beacon: for rare diseases in … Read more Beacon is empowering rare disease patient groups to harness their power and potential

As we conclude this blog series, let’s reflect on the key points covered throughout the previous blogs and unite in a call to action to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. The series of four insightful blogs successfully raised awareness about the often-overlooked Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). These blogs covered important topics including genetic inheritance, … Read more Blog 5: Summary of Series and Call to Action to Raise Awareness by Debbie Omodele

Kamaljit is a Nurse Consultant in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, an incredibly rare disease which has a profound impact on many women and their families. She has written this blog to raise awareness. Kamaljit was recently nominated for the ‘Compassion Award’ by The Mariposa Trust. The trust is a leading support charity primarily working within the … Read more Rare disease: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Kamaljit Singh

Despite existing for many decades, sickle cell disease (SCD) still faces a knowledge gap among the public and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Educating HCPs about SCD pathophysiology, care, and management is crucial to bridge this gap and breaking down healthcare-related stigmas. In this blog, we will hear directly from patients, shedding light on their experiences and … Read more Blog 4: Closing the Education Gap: Promoting Compassionate Care for Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease by Debbie Omodele, Children’s Haemoglobinopathy Nurse Specialist, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust.

Blog 3: Sickle Cell Crisis by Debbie Omodele What words come to mind when you hear the words ‘sickle cell’? I can almost guarantee that many of you thought of the word pain amongst many. Pain is one of the most common complications of Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD).  As mentioned in blog 1 and 2, … Read more Blog 3: Sickle cell crisis. Third in the series of blogs by Debbie Omodele, Children’s Haemoglobinopathy Nurse Specialist, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust.