Louise Bidlake RGN - Specialist Bariatric Nurse
A key resource within the Team, Louise trained at the Royal London Hospital and in Sussex, qualifying RGN in 1982. Initially in charge of a surgical ward, she went on to develop operating theatre skills before successfully completing a counselling course 1991. She has also worked in Digestive Research and in the outreach care of patients undergoing major day surgery.
Since 1997 Louise has focussed on the nursing support of bariatric patients in the independent sector and in the NHS, accumulating both long experience and informed empathy for the predicament of severe overweight.
Her principal role in the team is to manage patients’ progress along the pathway, giving information, psychological support and motivational care. In her own words:
“Patients who get good information and good treatment and who are led with care through the surgical journey can always find the road to self-belief and success.”
Louise co-moderates our patient support group, has authored part of our information material and has developed diet regimes for the time around surgery.
She regularly assists in operations, of which she thus has hands-on understanding.
