Our team

I am a Consultant Haematologist at Royal Surrey. I am the responsible doctor for the TYAC unit. As a haematologist I personally treat patients with blood cancers, such as lymphoma and leukaemia. Beyond treating cancer and ensuring a personalised care plan, I really enjoy finding out about people’s lives and hopes beyond their cancer treatment.

I’m responsible for leading the service by developing and providing clinical care for our patients who are aged 16 to 30 years. In addition to my clinical work, which includes giving chemotherapy, I represent young people at a local, regional and national level, providing expertise to groups responsible for developing TYAC services. 

Email: n.akowuah-addo@nhs.net

Phone (mobile): 07811846861

I work alongside your tumour specific nurse specialist to give additional clinical support and advise you and your family throughout your diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

I, along with my colleagues, will also administer your treatment in the unit. If you or your loved ones have any concerns, I can help by signposting you to the relevant member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and support services available. This includes putting you in touch with our health and wellbeing counsellor and youth worker.

Email: k.train@nhs.net

Phone (mobile): 07789 937284

I feel very privileged to work alongside my colleagues in TYAC in supporting you. 

My role is clinical and involves me delivering your treatment together with my other nursing colleagues.  Importantly, I am here to support you holistically alongside your treatment pathway with the ability to signpost services to facilitate your experience.  I believe in empowering you to make good choices which in turn supports your well-being.

Email: kim.decruz@nhs.net

My role is to advocate for you and to work alongside Nana, Karen and your tumour specific nurse to provide your clinical care, including chemotherapy. I use a holistic approach to help and reassure you and your loved ones by answering any questions that you may have about your cancer or treatment side effects. I love spending time with all my patients and look forward to getting to know you. I also offer free hugs!

Email: samantha.slevin@nhs.net

Phone (mobile): 07890 590701

I will encourage and support you to take a self-managed approach to your health and wellbeing, whether you are recovering from cancer treatment or  living with a cancer diagnosis. My role is non-clinical and I help the clinical team to deliver our TYAC service by managing the administrative aspect of your care and treatment. I can signpost you to specialist help or information.

Email: christina.brunet@nhs.net

Phone (mobile): 07890 963473

As the TYAC Holistic Wellbeing Therapist it’s my job to support you mentally, emotionally, physically and practically throughout your cancer experience and beyond.

I offer support as a coach, a counsellor, a mindfulness teacher and as a complementary therapist, providing Reiki, relaxation exercises, guided imagery tools and breath work.

I support you to find ways to create a mindset and lifestyle that enables you to improve, protect and enhance your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Empowering you to take back control and create the life you wish to live during, with or after cancer is my role and my passion. One of your greatest freedoms is to choose how you respond to your cancer experience and I work to empower that choice.

Email: merry.gibbons@nhs.net

Phone (mobile): 07971573194

I’m here to offer you a friendly, confidential and safe space for you to share any challenges you may have around body changes and cancer side effects, for example early onset menopause, which may be impacting on your relationship, intimacy and or sexual intimacy.

I will support you to find a way to reconnect with your body, your partner and find intimacy that feels comfortable for you. I can see you on your own or with your partner.

You may be experiencing low desire, low libido, and pain during sex, difficulty in having sex, achieving orgasm or issues relating erections. I am also here to support you if you have thoughts around your own sexuality and wish to explore this further.

How we talk to ourselves has a powerful effect on how we feel. This space is for you to explore options and choices you didn’t know you had.

Please feel free to come and chat and meet with me either face to face or via video link.

Anything you share during our session is not discussed with the TYAC team or wider Healthcare professionals.

Email: Jane.milborne@nhs.net