Meet our breast reconstruction nurses

Pam and Rebecca are Breast Reconstruction Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). They are based at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH), working full time in the NHS. They also work in the private sector offering medical micropigmentation (tattooing) to recreate / enhance nipple and areolas for people undergoing breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer and other breast related surgery in the private sector. They are Directors for a limited company called Specialist Nursing Solutions Ltd and run a Saturday clinic at the McIndoe Centre providing this service to people with private health insurance, or those that wish to self-fund. They are recognised with a number of different health insurance companies, and offer rates for self-funding clients. 

Nipple and areola micropigmentation (tattooing) involves the implantation of pigment into the skin to create the illusion of, or enhancement of a nipple and areola complex. This treatment is provided to patients who have undergone mastectomy and reconstruction following the diagnosis of breast cancer or discovery of a gene mutation. Some patients who have had breast cosmetic surgery (e.g. breast reduction/mastopexy/augmentation) may also be suitable for this treatment.

For more information on their micropigmentation service, please visit the Specialist Nursing Solutions Ltd website.

Rebecca Spencer

Rebecca undertook her adult nurse training in Chichester with The University of Surrey in 2005. She qualified in 2008 and began working at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. She initially worked on the specialist plastic reconstructive and maxillofacial wards, before moving onto the high-dependency ‘Enhanced Recovery Area (previously called Step-Down Unit). In this department, she cared for patients undergoing major reconstructive surgery, such as breast reconstruction.

During this time, Rebecca undertook a part-time BSc (Hons) degree in Acute Clinical Practice specialising in plastic surgery and breast cancer. She is currently doing an MSc in Cancer Care with the University of East Anglia, through the Royal Marsden School.  Rebecca qualified as a Micropigmentation Practitioner in 2010 and has been a Breast Reconstruction Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) since 2012. She also has a keen interest in electrochemotherapy (ECT) treatment.

Rebecca regularly attends the Brighton and South East and London Breast Meetings; she is an External Professional Advisor (EPA) for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and a professional reviewer for both the Macmillan and Breast Cancer Now breast cancer / breast reconstruction leaflets.

Rebecca works full time for the NHS at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead in her role as Breast Reconstruction CNS. She runs a monthly Saturday clinic at The McIndoe Centre providing nipple and areola micropigmentation (tattooing). This involves the implantation of pigment into the skin to create the illusion of, or enhancement of a nipple and areola complex. This treatment is provided to patients who have undergone mastectomy and reconstruction following the diagnosis of breast cancer or discovery of a gene mutation. Some patients who have had breast cosmetic surgery (e.g. breast reduction/mastopexy/augmentation) may also be suitable for this treatment. 

Rebecca is a member of: 

  • UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) 
  • National Breast Reconstruction Nurses Network (BRNN), 
  • British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) – nurse member
  • Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) – nurse member 
  • Trustee and Secretary for the breast reconstruction charity Restore

Pam Golton

Pam trained as a registered adult nurse with the University of Surrey and qualified DipHE in 2008. Having a special interest in surgical nursing, she has been at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead since her qualification and worked first on Canadian Wing and then the Step Down Unit (now called Enhanced Recovery Area). 

She gained her Macmillan Breast Reconstruction Clinical Nurse Specialist post in 2011 and completed her specialist degree (BSc) in Acute Clinical Practice (Cancer Pathway) in 2015 at the University of Brighton. She has also completed the Principles of Breast Cancer Care Module (at Masters level 7) at the Royal Marsden School. She has recently attained her PgCert (Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Education) in December 2024. 

She has been qualified as a Micropigmentation Practitioner since 2009 and runs both private and NHS clinics and has regular training updates. She runs a monthly Saturday clinic at The McIndoe Centre which involves the implantation of pigment into the skin to create the illusion of, or enhancement of a nipple and areola complex. This treatment is provided to patients who have undergone mastectomy and reconstruction following the diagnosis of breast cancer or discovery of a gene mutation. 

Pam regularly attends the London and Brighton Breast Meetings and has previously taught on the post-graduate degree module on the Burns and Plastic on Breast Reconstruction at the University of Brighton. She is a founder, trustee, and treasurer for the breast reconstruction charity Restore. She is a member of the Breast Cancer Now ‘Task and Finish group for Breast Reconstruction’.  

 

Pam is a member of: 

  • The National Breast Reconstruction Nurses Network (BRNN)
  • British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) – nurse member 
  • Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) – nurse member 
  • Trustee and Secretary for the breast reconstruction charity Restore

What our nurses do

As Breast Reconstruction CNS, Pam and Rebecca are known as keyworkers for patients undergoing breast reconstruction surgery and some other breast related surgeries.  

Theyprovide information, advice and support at any stage through the breast reconstruction journey.

The CNS / keyworker role involves:  

  • supporting patients and their family / carers within their treatment pathway, both emotionally and practically 
  • acting as a link between the patient, family, carer and members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) 
  • liaising with other healthcare professionals on behalf of the patient 
  • offering advice and information/explanation of treatments 
  • ensuring a high standard of care is delivered to patients undergoing breast related surgery 
  • accessing advice from other healthcare professionals as required 
  • assisting with financial information, claims and grants, and onward referral to appropriate specialists 
  • providing psychological support and referral to psychological therapies as required 
  • acting as keyworker and transferring over care to appropriate healthcare professionals when necessary 
  • educating patients and staff about breast reconstruction and other breast related surgery 
  • attending local and national meetings 
  • continued professional development

For more information and support about autologous (free flap) surgery, you may find it beneficial to speak to other women that have had breast reconstruction surgery and see their results. You can do this at a Restore “Show & Tell” information event.