The role of the Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) focuses on providing support, information and advice to patients and relatives with a diagnosis of a malignant primary brain tumour. Currently there are two Specialist Nurses within the team and a Support Worker. We work closely with both the Neurosurgeons at Southmead and the Oncologists at the Bristol Oncology Centre.
We primarily support patients who live within the Bristol, North Somerset and Somerset region. For patients outside of these areas we handover to the local specialist team to take over and continue support locally.
The Neuro-Oncology Specialist Nurse Team at Southmead Hospital can be contacted on 0117 414 7352. This will be answered by one of the team between the hours of 08:30 to 15:30 hrs Monday to Friday.
We do not work on Weekends or Bank Holidays.
Outside of these hours there will be an answering machine on this number and any messages left on this answer machine, will be picked up on the next working day, except on Bank Holidays.
This service is not for emergencies and patients / carers should contact the nearest A&E or local GP or in case of a medical emergency dial 999.
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neuro Oncology
Mrs Belinda Coghlan RGN, ENB148 & 998, Advanced Diploma - Acute Neurology
Bea heads the Neuro-Oncology Specialist nursing service at North Bristol NHS Trust and is a very caring and compassionate nurse. She trained and qualified at Frenchay Hospital. She is a nurse with 30 years experience in neuro medicine, neuro surgery, neuro rehabilitation, epilepsy management and neuro oncology. She has held unit manager posts, using managerial and leadership skills in this role. Academically she has completed extended qualifications in all of her roles at UWE. Bea is a very warm, vibrant, enthusiastic and enterprising nurse whao has the brain cancer patient at the heart of her service and provides exceptional support to these patients and carers during a difficult period in their lives. She is very knowledgeable about the diagnosis and overall management of brain tumours and has a holistic view of how these conditions affect patients and families.