Helen is a GP and academic conducting obesity research at the University of East Anglia. Over the last 5yrs, she has also worked clinically in specialist weight management services in the East of England. She is a member of the NICE weight management guidelines and quality standards committees and a RCGP clinical advisor. Helen has been an IHP representative on BOMSS council for the last 3yrs and is delighted to have been re-elected into this position. She aims to continue to work with council members, associated committees and the membership to improve the understanding and management of patients who have bariatric surgery within primary care. Helen has a particular interest in long-term post-bariatric surgery care and currently leads an NIHR funded study in this area, and led the multidisciplinary group who developed the BOMSS GP Hub, launched last year. She also aims to further build on this work as well as support more outreach to primary care healthcare professionals.
Naiara has worked as a qualified nurse for 15 years, starting her career in Spain and moving to the UK/ NHS in 2012.
With 7 years’ experience in the North London Obesity Surgery Service, Naiara now works as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Bariatrics and Upper GI surgery within a high-volume bariatric department in London.
She was appointment as a Bariatric Nurse Specialist in 2016 and along with the commitment to serving patients with obesity, she has upskilled herself into an independent Nurse Endoscopist and a Non-Medical Prescriber assisting the wider multidisciplinary team within her department which helped her upgrade her post into an ANP.
Along with her clinical skills, she is also active in academics and have presented in BOMSS annual meetings and have publications in peer-reviewed journals.
She is particularly drawn to this opportunity because She would like to initiate the creation of a national curriculum for Bariatric Specialist Nurses and help others to achieve career development thought Bariatric & Metabolic services and be the link between BOMSS and other IHPs.
John Loy
BOMSS Education Lead, Council member Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon
I am a Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon with over a
decade of experience at Consultant level. As the Royal College of
Surgeons College Tutor at Homerton University Hospital, I
supervised post-CCT Bariatric Fellows and HST Bariatric trainees,
with positive feedback and trainee career progression. My
Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education further reflects my
commitment to teaching excellence. I was a member of the London
Surgical Training Committee for the past 7 years. I have chaired
conference sessions, webinars, supervised research trainees, and
co-authored book chapters and trainee led papers.
As BOMSS Educational Lead, I aim to enhance the monthly journal
club webinars with access to international speakers, in-house
webinar hosting and links to industry. In particular, I would develop
attendance and content for our AHP members. I have recently
organised and delivered a hugely successful International Bariatric
Masterclass with speakers from the USA and beyond, securing
industry sponsorship. I will develop the BOMSS website’s
educational content, in collaboration with our BOMSS trainee
representative, further enhancing and adding to the educational
component of the ASM.
