Ysbyty Gwynedd Nurse celebrates 45 years in the profession

22 January 2024

A senior nurse at Ysbyty Gwynedd has marked 45 years in the profession this month.

Liz Hall began her career as a student midwife in Liverpool in 1979 and four years later became a midwife at St David’s Hospital in Bangor.

Following the closure of St David’s Hospital, Liz moved to Ysbyty Gwynedd where she continued with her midwifery career before taking up a nursing post within the Obstetrics and Gynaecology clinic at the hospital.

Liz became a Sister within the clinic in 2000 and two years later, she underwent further training to become the first Colposcopy Specialist Nurse in Wales.

Speaking of her impressive career, Liz said: “I have many happy memories from my time at St David’s Hospital and worked with some amazing colleagues.

“I always wanted to develop my skills so it was fantastic when I had the opportunity to do my colposcopy training.

“I was really interested in the oncology side within Gynaecology and during the time Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Simon Leeson joined the department in 1995 there was a real opportunity to do this as he wanted to develop our service. “

In 2002, Liz was appointed Gynaecology Oncology and Colposcopy Specialist Nurse and carried out nurse led colposcopy clinics within the department for 10 years, as well as completing a Masters in Health Science.

“In 2012, I decided to take a step back from colposcopy as the demand within oncology was growing so I decided to focus more on that element of my role.

“Since then I have remained as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gynae Oncology and now work two days a week.

“It is a very special job, a special part for me is spending time with the patients and providing them with support during probably the most difficult time of their lives.

“I feel I have had a fantastic career, I’ve always been extremely passionate about nursing and development within the profession,” she added.

Mr Richard Peevor, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, who has worked with Liz for over 10 years, said: “I have worked alongside Liz only for 12 years of the amazing 45 years that she has worked in her career to date. In that time I have seen the devotion that she has to her cancer patients and I would like to use this opportunity to thank her on behalf of our team but also the many (over a thousand) women she has given so much support to over the years when they are going through their cancer treatment.”