Face of SaTH: Ffion Whittington - Fertility Nurse

To continue our celebration of National Fertility week, today’s Face of SaTH is Ffion Whittington - Fertility Nurse at Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Clinic.

“I joined the trust in December 2018. Prior to this role, I worked in a local orthopaedic specialist hospital. Although orthopaedics and fertility are very different, fertility has always been an interest of mine since finding out I am an IVF baby myself. I want to help couples achieve their dream of becoming parents.

“Like other nursing roles every day is different. Over the course of the week, I see patients at different stages of their treatment. I see patients at their initial appointment following their referral from their GP, taking a history and arranging investigations. I see patients at their consent signing session, which is a HFEA requirement prior to any licensed fertility treatment. At the appointment I give patients their upcoming treatment schedules too. I see patients at scans during fresh and frozen cycles, assist in egg collections, recover patients and assist in the embryo transfer too. Behind the scenes, I am on the phone answering patient queries, receiving their pregnancy test results, and sending out schedules for patients for their upcoming treatments.

“As it’s a smaller fertility unit compared to others available around the UK, I am able to get to know our patients, and build up a strong rapport with them. Infertility can be really frustrating and emotional, especially when there’s no reason for it, so when patients get that positive test result at 2 weeks, and a heartbeat at nearly 8 weeks; it’s really special.

“Outside of work I have a busy social life, I love spending time with my family and friends. This summer has been a summer of weddings, so I am looking forward to some chilled out weekends. I have recently started my Masters in Advanced Fertility Practice at Edge Hill University, so from now until 2023 I will be busy studying in my spare time!”

Amazing work, Ffion! 

To find out more about the centre you can visit their website - https://www.shropshireivf.nhs.uk/. You can also follow updates from National Fertility UK Week by searching the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone