CNS Gynaecology and Colposcopy OPD
Alison Carlin’s decades of work in gynaecology have been recognised with the presentation of an NZ Gynaecological Foundation Award in recognition of her "outstanding, above and beyond" work as a clinical nurse specialist.
Ali became a registered nurse in 1981, completed midwifery in 1983, came to NZ as a midwife for a one year working holiday in 1986, stayed on and became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2010. Today Ali is on a clinical governance group for cervical screening, and the Northern Regional and NZ Gynaecological Cancer Groups.
Surgical Outpatients Department clinical nurse manager Beth McLean said humble, hardworking Ali has been “quite reticent” to talk about her award.
Beth said the teams Ali works with across Northland DHB, including colposcopy screening and the Outpatient departments at Kaitaia and Bay of Islands Hospitals, are all proud of Ali’s achievement and very grateful for all the hard work that she does so willingly and graciously in addressing serious illnesses which result in far too many presenting to treatment for uterine, cervical and ovarian cancer far too late.
The NZGCF Awards night doubled as a fundraiser called Getting Glam for Gynae. Ali prepared an acceptance speech for the night which raised awareness of gynaecological cancers being diagnosed too late in too many Northland women.
Ali was unable to pick up the award in person but shared the acceptance speech she asked to be read on the night:
Firstly I would like to thank Dr Ai Ling Tan for nominating me for this award.
In accepting it, I would like to acknowledge the others in our team, clinicians, booking clerks and nurses that work extremely hard, enabling women to attend appointments in Whangarei and Auckland. Working alongside these women, helping them to navigate the complex raft of tests, investigations and appointments is challenging but also rewarding.
On a more serious note, as you already know the cancer statistics for Northlanders are horrible, particularly for Māori women. We see gynae cancers diagnosed too late with subsequent poor outcomes, which is devastating news for women and their families.
Raising the profile of Gynae cancers is important. They are still very much a ‘silent’ cancer because women are too shy and embarrassed to seek help early. I was pleased to see that Erica and the NZ Gynaecology Cancer Foundation came to Whangarei this month, spreading the word about what signs and symptoms women need to look out for.”