“I am the Lead Nurse for the Child Sexual Assault Assessment Centre. The service is for children and young people who have disclosed sexual abuse or assault or where it is suspected that this may have happened.

“I work closely with a team of consultant paediatricians and we see children, young people and their families for a forensic medical examination on the specialist Acorn Unit which is located on ward 18 at York Hospital.  The service is commissioned by NHS England, and I work very closely with them and our partner agencies - the police and children’s social care.

“As you can imagine, this is a very distressing time for children and families and we strive to ensure that when they come to see us it is as positive an experience as possible, and that ongoing help and support is arranged for them.

“I started my nurse training here in York in 1987 and have now been working for the Trust for 30 years!

“After I qualified, I worked as a staff nurse on Ward 25 which was then ENT, ward 11, general surgery and then on G2 which was gynaecology before going on to do midwifery training.  When I completed my midwifery training, I went to work on the Special Care Baby Unit and stayed there for 10 years.

“I then went to work in the community as a school health nurse.  It was in this role that I realised I liked teenagers and learnt a great deal about safeguarding.  I went from there to sexual health and worked with the young people’s outreach team in a safeguarding role where we supported vulnerable teenagers.

“I am so lucky, that I work with a very supportive team and have worked with fantastic teams throughout my career.  Although my job can be very sad at times, I like best that I get to work with children and their families and hopefully help them to feel better and ensure that they are safe, and supported.

“I have seen a lot of change over the last 30 years.  When I first started nursing, patients were still allowed to smoke in the day room! We wore hats!

"Of course, now we have so many policies, procedures, and processes, data collection and statistics to complete. I don’t think there was as much 30 years ago as there is now. I have learnt a great deal during that time working for the NHS.

“I am a very positive person, and with experience, you learn that there is generally a solution to most things. It is good to be calm and thoughtful. Kindness is everything.”