Working Life: Co-ordinating the treatment of patients with brain tumours is a key part of my role

Eloise Cowie, neuro-oncology clinical nurse manager, Beaumont Hospital

6am

I’m on the road before the traffic gets crazy as I am travelling from Bettystown, Co Meath, to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

7am

At Beaumont, I touch base with nurse specialists to check if new patients have come in and contact the neurosurgical team before they head to theatre. Co-ordinating the moving parts around the treatment of patients with brain tumours is a key part of my role.

8am

Upto 15 specialties partake in the neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting where individual patient cases are discussed and treatments agreed. MDTs are a standard part of the National Cancer Control Programme. It’s reassuring for patients that their treatment decisions are agreed upon by a team rather than a single individual.

9am

Beaumont is the National Centre for Brain Tumour Surgery and Neuro-oncology, so we get referrals from all over the country, except Munster, as there are services at Cork University Hospital. When patients come in for results, some have travelled long distances, so we try to ensure they see all the relevant specialists on the day. They have a designated room thanks to funding from Brain Tumour Ireland (BTI).

Eloise Cowie, neuro-oncology clinical nurse manager, Beaumont Hospital

11am

I field phone calls from nurse specialists in other hospitals, ringing on behalf of consultants to check on MDT outcomes in relation to patients they referred in.

1pm

As today is Friday, my nurse colleagues and I treat ourselves to chips and curry. Distressing emotional situations are part of the job, so we support each other over lunch.

1.30 pm

I take a call from Fiona Keegan, CEO of BTI, to discuss an upcoming event. BTI helps with funding for our study days and facilitates our attendance at research evenings.

3pm

I check with the neurosurgical clinical lead to see what issues of concern might arise over the weekend, for example, who are the relevant doctors on call if a patient were to deteriorate and what treatment path is in place.

5pm

Evenings are active. I’m a keen runner and I recently took up hiking and became a member of Mourne Ramblers.

• International Brain Tumour Awareness Week runs from October 28-November 4. 
• A free webinar, ‘Brain Wise: Living Well with a Brain Tumour’, organised by BTI, will take place on Tuesday, October 31 at 6.30pm. 
• Register at www.braintumourireland.com