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Our Vision & Mission

We want to optimise the health of individuals with CF during childhood and adolescence, preparing them to transition to the adult CF service, feeling hopeful and empowered about their health and independence going forward.  We will support individuals and families to manage the challenges of having CF by tailoring treatments to their needs, recruiting to relevant research projects and providing support from the CF Multi-Disciplinary Team.  We will approach this work in a committed, respectful and inclusive way, with the aim of achieving the best outcomes for every individual.

 

Meet The Exeter Paediatric Team

Medical Team


We are a team of Paediatricians working within the Exeter Paediatric CF multidisciplinary team: From left to right Dr Rachel Elderkin, Dr Beth Enderby and Dr Emily Bell . 

Dr Beth Enderby was appointed as a General Paediatric Consultant with a special interest in Respiratory Paediatrics and CF in 2011. She is our lead for Paediatric CF services in Exeter and Paediatric lead for the CF trust research trials programme.

Dr Emily Bell  was appointed in 2022 as a General Paediatric Consultant with an interest in Respiratory Paediatrics and Cystic Fibrosis. Dr Bell trained in the Southwest of England building up her CF expertise.

Dr Rachel Elderkin was appointed as a Staff and Associate Specialist grade Paediatrician in 2001 and has been working within the CF team since then. She is particularly involved in supporting the transition process to adult services and team website development.

Between us we have a depth of experience in CF care . Our aim is to provide excellent specialist care to enable children and young people with CF to maintain the best possible health and participate as fully as possible in normal activities and aspirations including family life, school, Further education, work and leisure.

 

Microbiology Services


Dr Cressida Auckland is our Microbiology Consultant lead supporting the complex microbiological needs associated with CF. As a team we aim to comply with strict laboratory standards and CF trust Standards of Care. We hold frequent meetings together to discuss how best to test for and treat CF bugs. There is a local research interest into the CF microbiome.

 

CF Specialist Nurses


We have a Specialist CF nurse team working within the Exeter Paediatric team. Mich Curtis joined us as Lead CF Specialist Nurse in 2023 having worked in the trust for many years as Senior Respiratory Specialist nurse, to work along side Caitlin Bale who joined us in 2022 as superb nursing team support . 

The CF specialist nursing service provides support to children and families about all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis both in outpatient clinics, in the community and on the ward during any admissions to hospital.

This support includes easing transition to your child’s nursery, school or college to share education about CF and ensure your child receives the right advice and support in each setting.

Our role is to ensure that your child receives the highest level of CF nursing care. This includes providing specific advice, support and education tailored to your family’s needs. We perform any specific nursing procedures when required  such as care of intravenous lines, gastrostomy care, checking drug levels etc depending on your childs needs.

As Specialist Nurses we are your first point of contact if you have any concerns or worries.

 

Physiotherapy Team


Our team covers both adults and children and currently comprises of lead physiotherapist, Alice Day and Specialist Physiotherapists (right of photo); Jayne Trott (second to right), Helen Speedy (North Devon) and an Exercise Therapist, Tom Kent (centre). We also have a rotational junior physiotherapist working within the team. Between them they offer a range of expertise to meet your or your child’s needs. Alice and Jayne have recently co-authored the Association of chartered physiotherapists (ACPCF) CF Physio guidelines in 2020 ensuring excellent national up to date CF care standards. The team actively contribute to CF publications to continue to drive forward CF physio standards of care. (see home page, publications)

Helen is based in North Devon and provides our service within the North Devon CF team. Tom is a full time exercise therapist who completes the exercise tests and offers support with individual exercise programmes.

Please see our Paediatric CF Physiotherapy Services section for further information.

 

Dietitian Team


  Our CF dietitians Dulcie Belvir ( left) and Marie Barret (lead)  support care for all ages from infancy to adulthood. 

Our Dietitians are available to support you with all aspects of CF nutritional care from infant feeding and weaning through to more specialist nutritional support advice through teenage and adult life. They will support your multidisciplinary reviews in outpatients, in the community and during hospital stays. They work closely with our diabetic teams for those with CF Diabetes to optimise nutrition.

Please see our Nutritional Support section for further information and access to CF trust resources.

 

Psychologists


Photo of Team memberPsychological care is an essential part of any effective treatment plan for a life limiting medical condition such as Cystic Fibrosis. 

Our Clinical Psychologist Holly Jones will be available to meet with you informally in clinic and to arrange more formal sessions as and when needed.

Please see our Psychology – Paediatric section for further information.

 

CF Pharmacist


We have a dedicated team of CF Pharmacists working with us in our team here in Exeter.

They are able to work with us to ensure the best combinations of medicines for your needs, help us to introduce new CF drugs as they become available and to help support delivery of home care services as you need them. ​

 

Managerial and Administrative support


We have a lot of support behind the scenes to ensure a smooth running of the service including Cluster Managers, secretarial support, data clerks and research nurses amongst others.

Other Specialities


We have close links to many other services within the hospital:

From Paediatric Endocrinology for support with CF related Diabetes, through to ENT, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Interventional radiology and Fertility services amongst others.