Carly has worked at the Royal Victoria Infirmary as a nurse specialist for Children and young people with diabetes since 2005. She qualified as a staff nurse at the University of Nottingham in 2000 and worked in Nottingham for six months before moving to Newcastle.
She began her career with Newcastle Hospitals in 2001 – rotating between a children’s medical ward and a children’s GP assessment unit.
Carly features in episode six as we follow her through her afternoon diabetes clinic at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
What made you get into this area of work?
I wanted to be a nurse from being about 4 years old. When I first started at the RVI I was on rotation between a medial ward and a GP assessment unit – it was on those wards that I developed my enthusiasm and interest in looking after children and young people with Type 1 diabetes.
What is your favourite part of your work?
Empowering children, young people and their families with the knowledge and skills to manage their own condition and live life to the full is my favourite part of my job.
I have seen the treatment for Diabetes develop so much over the 17 years of doing this job, which is great news for our patients and their families.
What would you say to someone who is interested in progressing a similar career?
I would very much encourage anyone thinking about children’s nursing to just go for it – it’s a very rewarding career. I have even inspired quite a few of my patients over the years to become children’s nurses themselves, one of whom now works with me.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my two young children and husband. I am a big Newcastle United fan and enjoy watching the matches. I’m also learning to dance like the “Strictly come dancers”.
How was the filming?
I felt very nervous about being part of Geordie Hospital as I’ve never been filmed before. I wanted to do justice to the work that we do as a team and to the families that we look after.
I took part to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and the symptoms that families should look out for. I also wanted the public to be made aware of how brave and amazing the people who live with this lifelong condition are.
How to you feel about being part of the series?
I am proud to be a part of this series to raise awareness of the wonderful work that goes on at Newcastle Hospitals.
