GenesisCare National Nurse Symposium in partnership with UKONs

The GenesisCare National Nurse Symposium is a dedicated CPD accredited, oncology‑focused event designed to equip nurses with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to support cancer patients throughout their treatment journey.

The symposium brings together leading oncology experts and frontline nursing professionals for a dynamic programme centred on clinical excellence and compassionate care.

Attendees will explore hot topics in modern oncology, gain insights into emerging therapies, and strengthen their understanding of evolving best practices. The agenda includes sessions on communication strategies, symptom and side effect management, psychosocial support, and innovative approaches to enhancing the patient experience.

This is a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate—empowering every nurse to deliver more informed, empathetic, and impactful care for people living with cancer.

Arrival will be from 9am with presentations commencing from 9.45am. Event will finish at 4pm.

Agenda as below:

9:00 – 9:45
Registration

9:45
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr Sheena Khanduri, Chief Medical Officer, GenesisCare

Chairs:
Suriya Kirkpatrick, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer – Genomics and Research & UKONs Board Member
Dr Russell Burcombe, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Clinical Director for Breast, GenesisCare

10:00
Innovations in Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Speakers:

• Dr Fleur Kilburn-Toppin, Consultant Radiologist
• Dr Russell Burcombe, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Topics:

• Dense Breast & AI for Breast Imaging
• Holistic needs support including menopause: Thriving not surviving

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe advances in diagnostics including AI and dense breast pathways
• Identify nursing implications in menopausal support and symptom management
• Apply evidence-based approaches to cooling and supportive therapies

10:45
Theranostics Mini MDT: Real World Decision Making

Speakers:

• Dr Carla Perna, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand theranostics principles within cancer pathways
• Demonstrate MDT reasoning for referral and treatment planning
• Recognise the nurse’s role in patient information support

10:55
Psychological Support Across the Cancer Journey

Speakers:

• Dr Rachel Whatmough, Consultant Psychologist
• Rosie Johnson, National Palliative Care Nurse Specialist

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise psychological needs across diagnosis, treatment, and palliative stages
• Identify validated tools for distress screening and referral
• Use communication strategies that promote emotional safety

11:15
Morning Break

11:35
SABR for Moving Tumours: Nursing Priorities in Complex Radiotherapy

Speaker:

• Dr Crispin Hiley, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain SABR indications across multiple tumour types
• Identify toxicity signs requiring escalation
• Support immobilisation, breath hold, and fatigue management

11:55
Brain Metastases: What Nurses Should Look For

Speakers:

• Dr Anup Vinayan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
• Tracy Maryan, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Neuro-Oncology
• Katy Hunt, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Neuro-Oncology

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise urgent neurological red flag symptoms
• Understand SRS and systemic treatment options
• Provide effective education and support for patients and families

12:10
Resilience Training for Nurses

Speaker:

• Dr Rachel Whatmough, Consultant Psychologist

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify factors contributing to emotional load and burnout
• Apply practical resilience strategies
• Develop a personal wellbeing plan for safe practice

12:40
Lunch

13:40
CAR-T & Bispecifics – The Next Wave

Speakers:

• Professor Karthik Ramasamy, Consultant Haematologist
• Dr Riyaz Shah, Consultant Medical Oncologist
• Sam Warman, National Transformation Nurse

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe CAR-T and bispecific therapy indications
• Recognise early signs of CRS and neurotoxicity
• Deliver safe patient and family education

14:10
Exercise Medicine

Speaker:

• Helen Alexander, Head of Exercise Medicine, GenesisCare

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand evidence behind exercise-driven immunomodulation
• Identify safe exercise advice for different cancer stages
• Enhance holistic conversations with patients

14:40
Afternoon Break

14:55
Immunotherapy

Speakers:

• Dr Elaine Vickers, Consultant Medical Oncologist
• Dr Miranda Payne, Consultant Medical Oncologist

Topics:

• How the immune system can detect cancer (introduction)
• Overview of immunotherapy approaches
• Checkpoint inhibitors

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain the relationship between cancer and the immune system
• Understand why immunotherapy isn’t suitable for every patient
• Appreciate variability in response, side effects, and patient preparation

15:40
Closing Panel and Q&A

Info: Welcome & Opening Remarks, Dr Sheena Khanduri, Chief Medical Officer, GenesisCare

Chairs:
Suriya Kirkpatrick, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer- Genomics and Research & UKONs Board Member
Dr Russell Burcombe, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Clinical Director for Breast, GenesisCare

Info: • Dense Breast & AI for Breast Imaging, Dr Fleur Kilburn-Toppin, Consultant Radiologist
• Holistic needs support for Breast Cancer Patients including menopause. Thriving not surviving, Dr Russell Burcombe, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Info: Dr Carla Perna, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

• Understand Theranostics principles within cancer pathways.
• Demonstrate MDT reasoning for referral and treatment planning.
• Recognise the nurse’s role in patient information support.

Info: Dr Rachel Whatmough, Consultant Psychologist
Rosie Johnson, National Palliative Care Nurse, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist

• Recognise psychological needs across diagnosis, treatment and palliative stages.
• Identify validated tools for distress screening and referral.
• Use communication strategies that promote emotional safety.

Info: Dr Rachel Whatmough, Consultant Psychologist
Rosie Johnson, National Palliative Care Nurse, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist

• Recognise psychological needs across diagnosis, treatment and palliative stages.
• Identify validated tools for distress screening and referral.
• Use communication strategies that promote emotional safety.

Info: Dr Crispin Hiley, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

• Explain SABR indications across multiple tumour types.
• Identify toxicity signs requiring escalation.
• Support immobilisation, breath hold, and fatigue management.

Info: Dr Anup Vinayan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Tracy Maryan, Clinical Nurse Specialist -Neuro-Oncology
Katy Hunt, Clinical Nurse Specialist -Neuro-Oncology

• Red‑flag symptoms
• Escalation pathways
• Latest treatments: SRS, systemic options
• Supporting patients and families

Info: • Identify factors contributing to emotional load and burnout.
• Apply practical resilience strategies.
• Develop a personal wellbeing plan for safe practice.

Info: Professor Karthik Ramasamy, Consultant Haematologist
Dr Riyaz Shah, Consultant Medical Oncologist
Sam Warman, National Transformation Nurse

• Describe CAR T and bispecific therapy indications.
• Recognise early signs of CRS and neurotoxicity.
• Deliver safe patient and family education.

Info: Helen Alexander, Head of Exercise Medicine, GenesisCare

Understand evidence behind exercise‑driven immunomodulation.
• Identify safe exercise advice for different cancer stages.
• Enhance holistic conversations with patients.

Info: Dr Elaine Vickers and Dr Miranda Payne, Consultant Medical Oncologist
• How cancer can sometimes be detected by the immune system - introduction
• Overview of immunotherapy approaches
• Checkpoint inhibitors

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

20 Cavendish Square, 20 Cavendish Square, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App