We’re delighted to introduce Rachel, our new WMUK Support Nurse. We caught up with her for a chat about her background, her career in haematology, and her life outside of work.
Q: Where are you based?
A: I’m now in Harrogate but lived in Birmingham for 12 years before this. I was working in a hospice for the last year — I loved it, but the shifts were challenging, so I decided to return to my roots in haematology, which is where my passion lies.
Q: Tell us a little about your career journey.
A: I qualified in 2010 and have spent the past 15 years working in oncology and haematology. I’ve worked in chemotherapy units, acute wards, and in cancer research. Later, I became a haematology clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
The one area I hadn’t explored was palliative care, which led me to work at a hospice. That experience was eye-opening; it wasn’t the doom and gloom people might imagine. It’s all about helping people’s wishes be met, whether that’s bringing ponies in to visit or simply creating a peaceful environment. After that, I returned to haematology, and now here I am at WMUK — my first time working from home!
Q: What drew you to haematology?
A: It’s the continuity of care. You get to know patients and their families really well because you’re with them from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, and often beyond. It’s a privilege to build that trust and connection. I love that haematology allows for that ongoing, person-centred approach.
Q: How will your experience help you support people with WM and LPL?
A: I think my CNS and hospice experience both feed into a holistic approach to care. It’s about focusing on the person as a whole — their wellbeing, their emotional health, and helping them get the best out of themselves. For WMUK, that means offering not just clinical advice, but also empathy and practical support that bridges any gaps patients might experience in their care.
Q: What will your role as Support Nurse involve?
A: My main role is to manage the Support Line and emails — being that first point of contact for patients and helping them find the right information or local support. It’s about signposting them to their medical teams, CNSs, or other resources, and helping things feel more joined up where possible.
Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I’ve got two rescue dogs from Greece — Captain, who’s a Swiss hound crossed with an English pointer, and Chester, who’s an otter hound mix. They’re absolutely adorable! Most of our holidays revolve around them; we love finding dog-friendly places to explore. I also enjoy photography and painting — anything crafty really. Living in Harrogate is perfect for long walks; we’ve got the River Nidd and lots of beautiful woodland right on our doorstep.
Q: Finally, how would you describe your experience of WM so far?
A: It’s been really good so far. Everyone’s been so supportive. The team are so committed, dedicated, and genuinely lovely people. Everyone is passionate about what they do and about supporting patients. It’s really refreshing to join a team that pulls together. Even though we’re all miles apart, they’re always just a phone call away.
We’re here to help
Our Support Line is open Monday -Thursday 9am-5pm. You can call 0300 373 8500 to chat about absolutely anything WM or LPL related. You can even book a call up to three months in advance. Alternatively, you can email support@wmuk.org.uk and we’ll respond within 48 hours.
