Team Haemochromatosis UK hosted a study day in Newcastle in March, bringing together nearly 100 nurses and student Nurses from all over the UK and from the other side of the world - thanks to support from Shears Foundation, Christmas Appeal Donors and Irving Memorial Trust.

Building on last year’s successful event, the study day provides an opportunity for nurses and other specialists to increase their knowledge of haemochromatosis policy and practice.

 "It was a very well thought out and well presented study day. Please do thank everyone."

In Newcastle this year the programme included Senior Haematology Nurse Sal, who detailed her specialist nurse-led service that operates in Shrewsbury.  

Hepatology Nurse Specialist Alex from Liverpool, discussed the role of fibro-scans in GH care. Rheumatology Nurse Chrissy, based in Edinburgh, spoke from her perspective of GH arthropathy and two community nurses (Emma and Samantha) on how they set up their venesection services in Somerset. 

Faye McCleery, a Clinical Lead at Scot Blood shared their GH donor eligibility criteria. Sammy who had been a delegate at our study day last year, come back especially to present about the New Zealand blood donor service for people living with GH.

The day also included presentations from our own nursing team: Diogo told us more about uncommon forms of iron overload and shared case studies and Vik shared common themes arising from Helpline calls. We then had a chance for delegates to put forward any questions to the speakers.

"Thank you for a really good study day on Friday, I got a lot out of it and will recommend it to my colleagues!

In the afternoon, delegates worked in smaller groups to plan care for a ‘patient’ using Haemochromatosis UK's own guidelines https://www.haemochromatosis.org.uk/clinical-guidelines. This was a great way for nurses from different units to share how they manage care and overcome any challenging situations that may act as a barrier to delivering high quality treatment.  It was great to get feedback on Haemochromatosis UK guidelines from nurses from all over the UK.

The Royal College of Nursing supported the event by accrediting it for 6 CPD hours, which delegates can use to demonstrate continuing professional development as part of their regulatory revalidation.

 “I really enjoyed the study day. I found it so interesting, and it was extremely well run"

A large delegation of student nurses from Sunderland University participated in the day so provided an informal teaching session all about genetic haemochromatosis including the genetics, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment. The hope being that raising their awareness of genetic haemochromatosis may inspire them to specialise in this area of nursing.