UCLH nurses attend VE Day celebration

Two UCLH nurses who have dedicated their entire career to the NHS were invited to attend a VE Day celebration concert last Thursday.

The nurses, Elsa Palmer and Sarah Parker, are clinical nurse specialists in endometriosis and between them have worked at UCLH and the NHS for nearly 80 years.

They were invited to the concert to celebrate their substantial contribution to the NHS, which Elsa joined in 1982 and Sarah in 1977.

The two nurses work together in the endometriosis centre and were part of the multidisciplinary team which was instrumental in its establishment. 

Chief nurse Vanessa Sweeney said: “ Sarah and Elsa have played a vital role in the success of the UCLH Endometriosis Centre and the development of the service. Sarah and Elsa have contributed significantly, not only in years, but through their experience and expertise, their development of wider professional community, and most importantly, the extraordinary difference they have had made to so many patients. I am hugely grateful for their exemplar contribution to UCLH and the nursing profession."

Elsa and Sarah recently looked back on their lengthy careers and how they worked together to make a difference for patients.

Elsa said: “My initial role involved shadowing the team. I listened and learned and over time I became able to offer advice, answer questions, and provide real support to patients.”

“When Sarah returned from maternity leave, we worked together to build the reputation of the department alongside our consultants, who were past and current presidents of the BSGE.”

Elsa is most proud of helping to establish a one-stop clinic for endometriosis patients, some of whom travelled from across the UK to be seen and benefited from the effective assessment and treatment process efficiently administered under one roof. 

“We pushed boundaries. We developed policies, trained new clinical nurse specialists and travelled across the UK presenting at conferences. We worked hard and over the years, we adapted, improved, and established a dedicated, well-respected clinical endometriosis service,” she added.

Sarah said:  “We were really pleased to be invited to the concert, and to feel that our contribution to the NHS was being acknowledged. It was a particularly moving evening, and we were delighted to be part of it.”

“One of the most important things I have learnt over my career is that the efficiency of modern medicine is incredible, but we must never lose the personal connection. It’s not just about what we say to patients; it’s how we say it. Many women with endometriosis have been largely misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Listening, empathising, and offering support and guidance that respects their experiences is vital.”