After 47 years’ service as an “inspirational” Consultant Nurse, Elaine Swan is retiring from Walsall Healthcare today (5 September 2024) and looking forward to a well-deserved rest.
Elaine started her career in the NHS as a Student Nurse at Good Hope General Hospital in 1977 and qualified in a variety of roles before joining Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust in 1983. She became a Consultant Nurse in 2016 which has been her role ever since.
She has led – and initially introduced – the stoma pathway for Walsall patients, working as a lone practitioner in the hospital and out in the community. This service, which supports patients who have had surgery to create an opening on the surface of the abdomen to divert the flow of faeces or urine, has since developed into an eight-person team.
She was also one of the first Nurse Endoscopists, performing flexible sigmoidoscopies (to look into the rectum and large intestine) leading to the introduction of GPs having direct access to this service.
Elaine has managed the team as it has introduced improvements and created a smooth running service. She has participated in research and new initiatives – presenting at conferences worldwide. Over the years she has dedicated her time and enthusiasm to the colorectal cause.
During her time as a Colorectal Nurse, she has developed new products and co-authored publications. She has also led, for many years, a bowel dysfunction clinic which she initially started overseen its significant development.
The grandmother-of-one said: “I have been privileged to be involved with many leading edge and innovative medical research projects and also had the opportunity to act as a lead investigator.
“I have served as Chair of the Nurses’ Forum for the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. And as Chair of the West Midlands Stoma Care Nurse Support Group. I have been on the editorial board of Nursing Times and am currently on the Gastrointestinal Nursing Journal, as well as being a regular reviewer for the British Journal of Nursing.
“I consider my long career in the NHS to have been extremely varied and exciting and I am very grateful for all the opportunities that I have been fortunate to experience.
“I have had many wonderful role models in my career, and I hope I have also encouraged others to follow in my footsteps.”
The 65-year-old added: “I will miss my wonderful colleagues and friends, but I will keep in touch with them all. I will also miss the Manor Hospital and the very kind and welcoming people of Walsall.”
Her Colorectal Team will all miss her greatly and said:
“Elaine has been an inspirational leader who has led by example. Her professionalism, knowledge and energy are guiding us to carry on her work and further develop the service. Her calming presence and voice of reason will be missed.
“We will miss her ongoing support and drive to ensure she progresses in her career. We wish her all the best in her retirement with her lovely husband Graham.
“We also thank her for all the support over the years, and for making our careers as Stoma Nurses so enjoyable. We will miss the chats and sorting IT out.”
During her retirement Elaine will be spending more time with her family and is looking forward to the arrival of her second grandchild in October. She also has plans for travelling, gardening, cooking, catching up with friends and voluntary work.