RCN Fertility Nursing Conference
Innovative Horizons: New technologies and empowering fertility nurse support
02 Oct 2024
Choose event information:
Bookings are now closed.
Brought to you by the RCN Fertility Nursing Forum, this popular one-day conference will provide an unmissable opportunity to get the latest fertility nursing updates to enhance your professional practice, improve patient outcomes and help you stay ahead in your career.
Join us in-person at RCN HQ in London and network with other fertility nursing professionals, engage with exhibitors and pose questions to our expert speakers.
Programme highlights include:
- Virtual patient pathway
- Male factor fertility
- Embryology and new lab technologies
- Nurse emotional wellbeing
- Sourcing trusted information to support patients
Conference learning outcomes:
- To update on developments in fertility care
- To strengthen knowledge in fertility nursing
- To facilitate networking
- To consolidate engagement with the RCN
Who should attend?
This conference will be of interest to nurses, midwives, student nurses and health care assistants with an interest in fertility nursing and care.
What previous attendees have said about the conference:
"The talk subjects were very informative. I was so impressed with the subject matter and I look forward to attending again. All of the speakers were very passionate and keen to educate and encourage."
"I left the event feeling very empowered and keen to implement positive changes into aspects of my practice."
#RCNfertilitynursing24
RCN Events
020 7647 3577
20 Cavendish Square
Marylebone
London
W1G 0RN
20 Cavendish Square is located behind John Lewis, Oxford Street.
Visitor car parking
Q-Park Oxford Street is an underground car park situated underneath Cavendish Square. You can pre-book your parking by visiting the Q-Park website.
Tube
The nearest stations are Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
Bus
There are many buses routes that stop nearby, including the 10, 25, 55, 73, 98 and 390.
Air
London has five major airports: London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stansted.
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London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports have dedicated express train services into central London.
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London Heathrow and City airports are directly connected to the Tube network.
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National Express, Easybus and Greenline coach transfers run 24 hours a day and start as low as £2 when booked in advance.
About London
For more information on London as a destination please visit www.visitlondon.com; the official city guide to London.
Download the conference brochure. This includes talk summaries, biographies and recommended reading.
Please note these programme details and timings are subject to change.
A final programme will be circulated prior to the event.
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Programme at a glance |
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9.00 |
Registration, exhibition, networking and refreshments |
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9.45 |
Chair’s opening remarks Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum
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9.55 |
Technology and ultrasound – new guidance Anne Howard, Deputy Director of Nursing, Peppy Health
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10.25 |
Bringing the IVF clinic into the digital age Katie Rankin, Senior Fertility Nurse, Avenues
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10.55 |
Refreshments and exhibition viewing |
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11.25 |
Sponsored Educational Session: Is fertility just a female problem, what about the men? Ian Stones, Cofounder and Codirector, testhim
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11.45 |
Navigating Prostate Health and Fertility: Raising awareness of the challenges for older men aspiring to fatherhood Helen Lake, Urology Specialist Nurse, The Urology Foundation
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12.15 |
Embryology, new technologies in the lab Lyndon Miles, Consultant Embryologist, CARE, Cardiff
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12.45 |
Lunch and exhibition viewing |
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13.45 |
Patient information and role of the HFEA: getting to the right source Rachel Cutting, Director of Compliance and Information, HFEA
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14.15 |
How to manage your stress response Linda Gillham, Certified Transactional Analyst, Linda Gillham Counselling
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14.45 |
Refreshments and exhibition viewing |
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15.15 |
Panel discussion: Advanced Nurse Practice Chair: Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute, Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum Buki Fatuga, Fertility Nurse Specialist, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum Steering Committee Shelley McGeeney, Clinical Fertility Nurse Specialist, UCLH Nicola Benton, Unit Nurse Manager, Wales Fertility Institute
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16.00 |
Chair’s closing remarks Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum
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16.15 |
Conference close |
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Innovative Horizons: New technologies and empowering fertility nurse support
RCN HQ, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN Wednesday 2 October 20204
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Programme at a glance |
||
|
9.00 |
Registration, exhibition, networking and refreshments |
|
|
9.45 |
Chair’s opening remarks Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum
|
|
|
9.55 |
Technology and ultrasound – new guidance Anne Howard, Deputy Director of Nursing, Peppy Health
|
|
|
10.25 |
Bringing the IVF clinic into the digital age Katie Rankin, Senior Fertility Nurse, Avenues
|
|
|
10.55 |
Refreshments and exhibition viewing |
|
|
11.25 |
Sponsored Educational Session: Is fertility just a female problem, what about the men? Ian Stones, Cofounder and Codirector, testhim
|
|
|
11.45 |
Navigating Prostate Health and Fertility: Raising awareness of the challenges for older men aspiring to fatherhood Helen Lake, Urology Specialist Nurse, The Urology Foundation
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12.15 |
Embryology, new technologies in the lab Lyndon Miles, Consultant Embryologist, CARE, Cardiff
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12.45 |
Lunch and exhibition viewing |
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13.45 |
Patient information and role of the HFEA: getting to the right source Rachel Cutting, Director of Compliance and Information, HFEA
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14.15 |
How to manage your stress response Linda Gillham, Certified Transactional Analyst, Linda Gillham Counselling
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14.45 |
Refreshments and exhibition viewing |
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15.15 |
Panel discussion: Advanced Nurse Practice Chair: Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute, Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum Buki Fatuga, Fertility Nurse Specialist, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum Steering Committee Shelley McGeeney, Clinical Fertility Nurse Specialist, UCLH Nicola Benton, Unit Nurse Manager, Wales Fertility Institute
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16.00 |
Chair’s closing remarks Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute Chair, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum
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16.15 |
Conference close |
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Conference joining instructions will be sent by email two weeks, one week and one day before the event. If you have registered for the event using a work email address, there are occasions when firewall settings can block email communications reaching you. If you’re unable to locate your joining instructions, please contact a member of the events team on 0207 647 3577.
Registration
On arrival please make your way to the RCN registration desk which will be clearly signposted. You will be issued with conference materials, including a certificate of attendance and a name badge.
Programme
A copy of the programme is available to view online and will also be provided on the day.
Exhibition
There will be a small exhibition running alongside this event. The exhibitors have chosen to exhibit at this conference as they feel their products and/or services may be of interest to you. The exhibition also supports the conference, therefore please take the time to go and visit each exhibition stand during the exhibition viewing times.
Lunch
Lunch will be served at the time specified in the programme. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so we can ensure your needs are catered for.
Specific requirements
If you have any specific requirements (e.g. hearing loop etc.), please inform us in advance so we can ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place.
X (Twitter)
You can tweet ahead of the event and on site by using #RCNfertilitynursing24, @RCNFertility and including @theRCN.
Presentations and recordings
Presentations and recordings we have permission to share will be made available to delegates approximately 1-2 weeks post-event.
Receipts and registration enquiries
If you require a receipt or have any queries relating to your registration or payment for this event please contact the RCN Events Registration team direct on 029 2054 6460 between 9am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or email eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
Alternatively, please contact staff on the registration desk at the event.
Cancellations and substitutions
Cancellations received ten working days before the start of the event will be refunded, minus a 25% administration fee. Regrettably, no refunds can be processed after this date.
Places can be substituted at any time. Please contact the RCN Event Registrations team on 029 2054 6460 with details of name changes.
After the event
Please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation at the end of the event. All answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will help us to shape future events, both online and face to face.
Chair: Francesca Steyn, Clinical Services Manager, Wales Fertility Institute
Francesca Steyn is a Fertility Nurse Specialist and the Clinical Services Manager of Wales Fertility Institute, the only NHS Fertility unit in Wales. She has over 19 years of experience in the fertility sector and is the current chair of the RCN Fertility Nursing Forum.
She has worked in various busy fertility units in both the NHS and private sectors and has had the opportunity to learn and develop a wide range of skills, including performing surgical sperm retrievals under consultant supervision, assisting with the management of the fertility needs of patients diagnosed with a blood borne virus, managing large donation programmes, leading and implementing surrogacy programmes and most recently, built out and developed a remote app based fertility care service.
Francesca has presented her work on an international level and has co-authored RCN publications and guidance for fertility nursing staff and published Department of Health guidance on surrogacy best practice and care in surrogate births. She was awarded surrogacy professional of the year in both 2018 and 2019 at the National Surrogacy Awards and was awarded the RCN Award of merit in 2023 for her contribution to nursing and the RCN. She is a member of the legislative reform advisory group, appointed by the HFEA to modernise the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act and a member of the NICE Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (update) group.
Anne Howard, Deputy Director of Nursing, Peppy Health
Anne has spent 14 years as a fertility nurse specialist in both the NHS and private sector, earning her Fertility Sister post. Working in nurseled and clinicianled clinics and helping to develop an ovulation monitor. She later became Nurse Manager for Care Fertility Birmingham and its satellite, Care Fertility Tamworth. Currently, she is the Deputy Director of Nursing for Peppy Health, a digital employee benefit that supports and educates employees about fertility, women's health, menopause, pregnancy, parenthood, and men’s health.
Katie Rankin, Senior Fertility Nurse, Avenues Clinic
Katie, a registered Nurse and Midwife, is a dedicated Senior Fertility Nurse with 9 years of experience in healthcare and just over 3 years in fertility and reproductive health. Katie provides compassionate and individualised care, whilst guiding individuals and couples through diagnostic investigations, treatment preparation and various fertility treatments. Katie is deeply committed to providing personalised, empathetic support, understanding the emotional and physical challenges her patients face. She stays current with advancements in reproductive medicine and is passionate about Pelvic Ultrasound, and how technology can improve the patients journey.
Helen Lake, Urology Specialist Nurse, The Urology Foundation
Helen is a Urology Specialist Nurse with expertise in bladder dysfunction, urinary tract infections, prostate issues, urological cancers, erectile dysfunction, and male infertility. Her career began in the NHS, advancing to Clinical Nurse Specialist and leading innovative care services. Previously, she was Director of Men’s Health for a digital provider and served as a Trustee for The British Association of Urology Nurses. Currently, she's with The Urology Foundation, developing UTI support services, and serves as a NonExecutive Director for ManHealth. Helen has contributed to several peer reviewed articles and RCN guidelines on male infertility.
Lyndon Miles, Consultant Embryologist, CARE Cardiff
Lyndon has worked in the IVF field for over 30 years. He has extensive experience from working in many IVF clinics, including six years as Senior Embryologist and Harvard Instructor at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He is experienced in performing preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Lyndon served for 5 years as a member of the Association of Clinical Embryologists Training and Examination Committee acting at a national level as an assessor for new members of the clinical embryology profession. He has presented at both national and international conferences. He has a special interest in making treatments and information more accessible to patients. He was until recently the Director of CRGW, a group of 5 clinics in Wales and the South West prior to the group being acquired by CARE fertility in 2023.
Rachel Cutting, Director of Compliance and Information, HFEA
Rachel is the Director of Compliance and Information at the HFEA, the UK regulator of fertility treatments. Prior to this she worked as an embryologist for over 20 years, holding the position of Principal Embryologist and Person Responsible at Jessop Fertility. Rachel was Chair of Association of Embryologists from 2011 to 2014. She was involved in writing the national curriculum for training embryologists and has written national guidelines for oocyte freezing and elective single embryo transfer. She was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to infertility.
Linda Gillham, Certified Transactional Analyst, Linda Gillham Counselling
Linda Gillham is a PTSTA in the Counselling field, a Senior Accredited Member of BACP and NCPS. She has been working with mental health for over 15 years both face to face and online. Previous experience includes working with a healthcare app delivering chat, content, presentations for people experiencing menopause, fertility, problems with relationships and parenthood. Special interests in counselling includes working with anxiety, men’s mental health, autism, ADHD and infertility.
Buki Fatuga, Fertility Nurse Specialist, RCN Fertility Nursing Forum Steering Committee
Buki embarked on her journey into Fertility at an NHS fertility clinic, where she gained knowledge about the foundations of fertility. In 2020, she accomplished a Postgraduate diploma in Sexual and reproductive medicine. Buki is a qualified Adult Nurse, Midwife, and Prescriber, with experience in various roles within both the NHS and Private sector. She is deeply passionate about women’s health and Fertility, as well as dedicated to fostering growth and development in nurses and midwives. As a committee member of the Royal College of Nurses fertility forum, she actively contributes to the advancement of evidence-based practice within fertility. Her guiding principle is to always keep the heart at the centre of what we do.
Shelley McGeeney, Clinical Fertility Nurse Specialist, UCLH
I am currently based at University College London Hospital NHS Trust as a clinical nurse specialist in the reproductive medicine unit which specialises in IVF, recurrent miscarriage and reproductive endocrinology. I have a senior role which entails the preparing of IVF treatment as well as the continuous support of patients undergoing the process. I am qualified in undergoing follicular ovarian response and endometrium monitoring via sonography.
My overall background began as a staff nurse within gynaecology and early pregnancy in 2008 and in 2010, I underwent my first role as a fertility nurse. I have now worked myself up to a senior nurse practitioner within the field of reproductive medicine.
In addition to my part time position at the reproductive medicine unit, UCLH. I am a private fertility nurse specialist for two highly renowned obstetric, gynaecology and reproductive medicine consultants. I carry out the care and planning for all private IVF treatment cycles for their patients as a self employed role.
Nicola Benton, Unit Nurse Manager, Wales Fertility Institute
Having worked throughout Women’s Health in the Welsh NHS for the past 37 years I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity of developing professionally and maintaining a good work life balance. Whilst becoming involved with the secondary care fertility and the IUI service in 2009 as a Fertility Nurse Specialist, I gained my Honours Degree in Enhanced Professional Practice focussing on advanced nurse practice.
In 2012 the Welsh funding body commissioned a full NHS reproductive health service for Wales. Satelliting for BCRM initially in treating patients, coordinating and monitoring IVF cycles I gained skills in pelvic ultrasound along with BFS accreditation. I was involved in the development of the Wales Fertility Institute as the Fertility Nurse Specialist and we treated our first IVF patients in 2013.
Personal and Professional development is at the forefront of our nurse team. As the Unit nurse Manager I gained Pelvic ultrasound Msc from Edgehill University and currently undertaking training in embryo transfer.
The management and development of the nurse team is both rewarding and motiving and my development of structured nurse reflective meeting was recognised in the Wales Chief Nursing Awards. I am passionate about supporting the nurse team, considering the RCN Education and Career Progression Framework as instrumental in achieving this as a manager in conjunction with my own professional development.
The conference is open to all nurses, student nurses, nursing support workers and allied health professionals working in academic, clinical, and professional settings in the UK and overseas.
Benefits of attending:
- Accrue up to 7 hours of CPD to count towards your revalidation.
- Learn about latest developments within professional practice, policy and law.
- Hear from eminent keynote speakers on contemporary issues.
- Consider and highlight best practice at national and local level.
- Network with fertility nursing peers from across the UK.
- Engage and network with exhibitors on new service developments and products.
Need a helping hand with securing time off or funding to attend? Please download these helpful hints and tips.
The RCN would like to thank the following organisations for supporting this event:
testhim is all about filling the gap that so many men experience when it comes their fertility.
Men often feel confused, lost and left out of the process when it comes to fertility investigations and treatment.
testhim’s mission is to change this and help men get a better understanding of their fertility, their health choices and their treatment options by providing education, testing and support.
This conference and exhibition is an unrivalled opportunity for you to connect directly with nurses working in different settings within fertility health from across the UK.
There are a number of ways you can get involved, from networking to raise your profile to tailored commercial packages to help achieve specific objectives. Please contact the exhibitions team on 020 7647 3959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk.
Bookings are now closed.
Booking and fees
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Fee |
VAT |
Total |
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RCN member rate
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£125 |
£25 |
£150 |
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Non-RCN member rate |
£185 |
£37 |
£222 |
Join the RCN to be immediately eligible for the member rate.
Discounts available (max one per booking) - redeemable via telephone/booking form only.
40% discount - nursing student members (pre-registration only), associate retired RCN members, HCAs or Aps
25% discount - Accredited RCN Trade Union Representatives
10% discount - Group discount when three or more delegates book together.
If your query relates to a booking, please contact the RCN Events Registration Team (Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm):
+44 (0)2920 546460
For any other queries relating to this conference please contact the RCN Events Team:
+44 (0)207 6473577
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Page last updated - 01/10/2024
