Katy Simpson

 

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Katy Simpson, Lead Nurse Primary Care, DMC Healthcare, tells us why she loves being a nurse and how her 20 year career has shaped where she is today. 

“I have a passion for providing excellent patient care, but also to have fun in a relaxed environment. At DMC, everyone is comfortable asking questions.”

 

I love the variety of nursing 

I began a midwifery degree at the University of Greenwich but transitioned to nursing after a year. I was drawn to the diversity within nursing, offering numerous specialised areas like A&E, prison healthcare, GP settings and theatre nursing.

After completing my degree with a first in 2003, I worked at York Hospital and progressed to become the Deputy Lead Urology Nurse in the day surgery unit within a year. Due to my husband's job, we relocated to London, where I secured my dream job as a practice nurse in a GP surgery. Unfortunately, I encountered a complete lack of support, to the extent that it caused me to step away from nursing. I changed my career briefly and moved to legal services, completing a Graduate Diploma in Law and became a legal advisor, a role I held for 2 years. 

Katy Simpson

 

In 2012 I joined a London NHS Trust 

I did my ‘return to practice’ at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and worked as a theatre nurse for 5 years, carrying out an Advanced Scrub Practitioner course. During this time, I had a baby and in 2017, I resumed my career as a practice nurse at a bustling GP surgery in central London, where I remained for five years. 

 

I reignited my love for practice nursing

I have remained dedicated to this profession ever since. I held the role for 5 years and whilst I knew I’d miss my patients, the opportunities for progression were limited. I didn’t initially think leadership was for me but the opportunity at DMC arose and I thought it was too good to miss. 

I was Research Innovation Lead at NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) from 2021-2023 whereby I promoted and led on patient focused clinical research studies for Community Research Network South London.

 

I joined DMC as lead nurse in February 2023 

I’m a member of the senior management team of DMC’s two South East London GP surgeries and Lead Nurse and line manager to a team of 10+ advanced nurse practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants.

 

My vision is to build a cohesive nursing team

I wish to strengthen and expand a united nursing team whilst enhancing protocols to ensure safe practice and elevate CQC ratings across both sites. 

 

I believe my contributions have positively influenced CQC ratings

The CQC has praised our efforts in various aspects. For instance, we've established new procedures for cold chain incidents and initiated monthly nurse meetings involving pharmacists and healthcare assistants. I've implemented consistent protocols across both sites to ensure safety and introduced a new infection control timetable and responsibilities.

 

I like the autonomy within my role

I have a good degree of independence but also know there is a brilliant team around me as there is so much to learn in practice nursing. You are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility. 

 

You see patients from cradle to grave

I also love the continuity, caring for patients from birth to adulthood and old age. I derive immense satisfaction from my work and value my involvement in leadership, where I can shape our practices and operations. I actively encourage team members to share their ideas and collaborate with them to bring these to fruition.

 

I have some big ideas in the planning stage

My idea is to convert the garden at Crystal Palace into a community garden. I’m looking into how we can promote health and wellbeing by offering, for example, gardening, art and singing classes. At the front of both sites there is space for a herb garden to encourage healthy eating.

I am the first nurse member of the RCGP Creative Health Special Interest Group, looking to enhance services using approaches beyond the traditional medical model. Additionally, I serve as the Clinical Lead for Southwark for Clinical Effectiveness South East London (CESEL).

 

My speciality is asthma and COPD

Specialising in asthma and COPD, I take pride in improving clinical and patient understanding and care of asthma. Seeing the expression on a patient's face as I discuss asthma, and observing the moment when the penny drops and they better understand their condition, the purpose of their inhalers, and how to correctly use them, is incredibly fulfilling.

I recently participated in presenting the new CESEL asthma guides for primary care at a protected learning event hosted by Southwark ICB which engaged all Southwark GP practice staff. 

 

The main benefits of working at DMC 

  • Good leadership – excellent management and clinical support with regular catch ups. 
  • DMC Brand – also a provider of dermatology, radiology reporting and endoscopy and therefore you feel like you are part of something bigger.
  • Supportive environment – a strong sense of involvement and ideas are listened to. If it can be done, it will be done. 
  • Positive – a constant feeling of cohesion and wanting to be the best we can be. 
  • Location – a choice of two sites and both are great places to work. 

Here at DMC, every day is different. There is a passion for providing good patient care but also to have fun in a relaxed environment where no one is afraid to ask questions. 

If you are interested in joining DMC Primary Care please e-mail us

Or visit our career page 

Published: Feb 23, 2024