"Dedicated" children’s cancer nurse in line for major award

Wednesday 10 July 2019

A "dedicated" Jersey nurse, who specialises in supporting young islanders with cancer and their families, has been shortlisted for a national award.

Claire Doran provides clinical, emotional and practical support to children - from newborns to 17-year-olds - and is in the running for a Nursing Times Award in the Child and Adolescent Services category.

Ms Doran, a Leeds University graduate, found her passion for working in paediatric oncology while working in Australia. She has been the island’s paediatric oncology nurse specialist for the past three years.

She previously worked as a staff nurse on the Robin Ward at the General Hospital and underwent training to become a children’s cancer nurse specialist.

Pictured: Ms Doran has been the island’s paediatric oncology nurse specialist for the past three years. (Credit: Government of Jersey/Twitter)

“I’m proud to be in a position to be able to develop nursing practice by acting as an expert resource through providing education and support to the wider multi-disciplinary teams which helps to improve patient outcomes," she said.

As part of her role, Ms Doran liaises with the multi-disciplinary teams in the UK and Jersey involved with a young person’s treatment and arranges travel for patients and their families. She also co-ordinates and administers chemotherapy.

While she admitted her job can sometimes be "emotionally challenging", she feels really privileged that "families let me in during such a difficult time."

"Obviously professional boundaries are there but it is a very personal role," she explained. "I get to know families very well and they get to know me very well. I have some clinical duties, however the biggest proportion of my time is given to co-ordinating treatment and providing emotional support.”  

Pictured: Ms Doran supports children from newborns to 17-year-olds following a cancer diagnosis.

"It came as a complete shock to hear I’d been short-listed, but I’m delighted," Ms Doran added.

The role of paediatric oncology nurse specialist had been funded by the charity The Antoine Trust for the past six years but Health and Community Services recently took over. The Antoine Trust however hopes to continue to work with Ms Doran on other projects going forward. 

Anne Willing, one of the charity's trustees, said: “The trustees are delighted that the importance of the role and in particular Claire’s complete dedication to it are being recognised in this way.  We are proud to have been able to facilitate the development of the role and even more so of Claire’s achievements.”

“It is wonderful news that the hard-work and dedication Claire has put in to developing the role of paediatric oncologist nurse specialist has been recognised through her being shortlisted for this award," Becky Sherrington, Head of Nursing and Governance, said.

Claire Doran, a children's cancer nurse specialist, has been shortlisted for a @NursingTimes award https://t.co/ADQLcxfZUB pic.twitter.com/QaLWGjMgCb

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) July 9, 2019

“As a specialist nurse, Claire plays a vital part in keeping patients and their loved ones fully informed about their diagnosis and treatment as well as providing much-needed emotional support at what is a devastating time for families.” 

“I’m thrilled that Claire’s commitment and passion to her work has resulted in her being in the running for such a prestigious award," Chief Nurse Rose Naylor added. "The feedback she receives from patients’ families just goes to show she is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Winners of the Nursing Times Award will be announced on 30 October during a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London.