Laura Carter-Penman, regional lead fertility nurse from Bourn Hall Cambridge, the world’s first IVF clinic, has been appointed to the Executive Board of national nursing organisation the Senior Infertility Nurses Group (SING).
Laura who took up her position on the SING Board earlier this year, qualified as a nurse at the University of East Anglia just over 20 years ago. Starting out her career as a NHS nurse, in 2011 Laura applied to become a fertility nurse at Bourn Hall Clinic and has worked her way up to the position of regional lead nurse.
SING is the largest group for infertility nurses and health care assistants to share advice, best practice and receive training to support annual requirements, with members from over half of the UK and Ireland’s fertility clinics. The body is well recognised in the fertility nursing community, often consulting and contributing to the development of Government policy and other nursing organisations’ boards.
Laura, who will be undertaking her SING duties in addition to her role at Bourn Hall, said: “For me, nursing is about educating the team around you, which is why I think SING is a fantastic organisation – providing support and information sharing for hundreds of nurses up and down the country.
“My role at Bourn Hall has offered me the perfect opportunity to expand my skills, helping me step into this role to help others. The connections that SING provides help you to get a bigger perspective than just your own place of work.”
Debbie Evans, SING’s Chair, said: “I am delighted to welcome Laura to the Executive Board, and the experience she brings. At SING, we are instrumental in shaping the future of fertility and passionate that nursing has a huge stake hold in that future.”
Laura oversees teams of 30 nurses and health care assistants in Bourn Hall’s Cambridge and Norwich clinics. As SING Secretary, she will now be organising a series of training events, helping provide information networks, peer support and guidance to fertility nurses across the UK and Ireland. Previous events have included talks delivered by the Chief Inspector of Government regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Association (HFEA).
SING is available to all UK and Republic of Ireland fertility nurses and health care assistants, facilitating support at every level.
