Clinical Nurse Specialists – Layout 2

I qualified as a nurse in 2005 and began my career on the Regional Rheumatology Ward before becoming a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist in Airedale General Hospital.

I have worked in the Rheumatology department at Chapel Allerton Hospital since 2011 in many different roles (Rheumatology Research Nurse, Senior Sister on the Rheumatology Day Case Unit (Ward C5), Clinical Nurse Specialist Manager of the Biologics Team) and have been the department’s Lead Nurse since 2019. I am an Independent Nurse Prescriber.

Specialist interests include: Rheumatoid Arthritis targeted therapies; the transition of children and young people into adult services; obstetric patients with Rheumatology conditions; patient experience/engagement.

Further information will be made available shortly.

Further information will be made available shortly.

I qualified as a nurse in XXX and spent the first part of my career in Haematology and Oncology at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

After a break to spend time with my family, I then worked on the Breast and Endocrine Unit at St James’ University Hospital before becoming a Palliative Care Nurse at St Gemma’s. I have worked as a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Chapel Allerton Hospital since 2019 and consider it an honour to work with such a dedicated, supportive team that goes above and beyond to make a difference to patients with living with a chronic condition.

I am passionate about patient care, education and health promotion and hold a specialist degree in Haematology & Oncology.

I am also an Independent Nurse Prescriber and a qualified Pilates instructor who enjoys helping others to take care of themselves. Specialist interests include: Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) and Lupus.

Further information will be made available shortly.

Further information will be made available shortly.

I qualified as a nurse in 2006 following a degree in Natural Sciences from Durham University.

I spent the first 9 years of my career working on an acute Gastroenterology Ward before joining the Rheumatology Day Unit (Ward C5) at Chapel Allerton Hospital in 2015.

In 2018 I became a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist and have had some excellent learning opportunities and the privilege of working alongside very experience team members.

I am an Independent Nurse Prescriber and hold an MSc in Nursing.

Specialist interests include: Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) and digital improvements in Healthcare.

I qualified as a nurse in Poland in 1993 and spent the early part of my career on a general surgical ward. I also worked as a paramedic for 2 years, training young people in First Aid/ Basic Life Support (BLS) and voluntarily providing support to patients with disabilities in the community.

In 2007 I moved to the UK and began working in a nursing home, caring for people with Dementia.

I began working at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in 2009, first as a theatre scrub nurse (Vascular/Neuro/ Plastic and Orthopaedic surgery) and then as a Research Nurse (Oncology).

I joined the Rheumatology department at Chapel Allerton Hospital in 2017, working briefly as a Research Nurse but mainly as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

I am an Independent Nurse Prescriber and work at an advanced level, having enhanced my skills with extensive training.

Specialist interests include: Rheumatoid Arthritis targeted therapies; the transition of children and young people into adult services; intra-articular injections.

I qualified as nurse in 1999 and spent the first half of my career in acute/ emergency medicine and multi-speciality assessment.

I have worked in the Rheumatology department at Chapel Allerton Hospital since 2012, first as a Research Nurse and more latterly (2023) as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

I hold a BSc (Hons) Psychology, MA Latin American Studies, Post Graduate Certificate of Clinical Education and am a qualified ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher.

I am fascinated by cultural diversity and passionate about the education of both staff and patients, believing that knowledge empowers people to make sensible healthcare decisions.

Specialist interests include: Psoriatic Arthritis/ Spondyloarthropathy; providing support to those newly diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis; Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU).

I qualified as a nurse in 1986, attaining a BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies in 2000.
I began working in Rheumatology in 1998 and completed a postgraduate course in Rheumatology Care at the University of Leeds in 2003.

I graduated with a Masters in Advanced Practice in 2014 whilst working at Harrogate District Hospital (HDH). After 10 years of practice as a Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Harrogate.

I returned to the Rheumatology department at Chapel Allerton Hospital in October 2021. I currently work two days a week as an Advanced Clinical Nurse performing targeted injections and using my specialist skills to help alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis.

I also manage an urgent clinic to help meet the needs of patients who are experiencing a significant deterioration in their condition, an increase in symptoms or medication issues. The patient is at the centre of everything I do and I strive to recognise each patient as an individual, providing safe, empathetic care in a calm and relaxed environment.

Publications:
Fitzgerald, P.  (2006).  MDT care of the Rheumatic patient. In Rheumatology Nursing: A Creative Approach.  2^nd Edition.  Chapter 11.  Edited by Jackie Hill.
Fitzgerald, P. & Hale, C.  (2014).  Moving the injectable methotrexate service closer to home: A practice development initiative. Musculoskeletal Care. 12(3). 182 – 189.
Fitzgerald, P. et al.  (2015).  Prevalence and microbiological characteristics of clinically infected foot ulcers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  Journal of Foot and Ankle Research.  8(38).  1-8.

Further information will be made available shortly.

Further information will be made available shortly.

I qualified as a nurse in 1995 and joined the Rheumatology department at Chapel Allerton Hospital in 1999, working on Ward C2 as both a Staff Nurse and Junior Sister (2013). I joined the Prescription Management Team in 2018.

Special interests include: the treatment of osteoporosis; ensuring the safety of patients taking biologic treatments in the BIOTEL clinic; teaching patients how to safely administer subcutaneous Methotrexate. I am also a Staff Peer Vaccinator (Flu and COVID).