Janet Bates

Having originally trained as a nurse and midwife (many years ago) I have always had an interest in women’s health; my first nursing post was on a gynae ward. I have always been aware of patient’s psychological needs as well and the physical and trained as a counsellor in 2000. I have had various counselling posts supporting staff in challenging professions, including working with nurses, police officers and clergy!

In 2015 I returned to the world of oncology (another passion of mine) and was head of counselling support at a hospice and then I worked in a large London teaching hospital improving the psychological care of cancer patients and their families (for which we were runners up in a national Macmillan award for innovation). I then returned to Kent and most recently have been an integral part of a new Cancer Psychological Support Service for Kent and Medway (CaPS-KM). Cancer patients report that their psychological needs are not always taken into account and we want to improve this across the 4 hospital Trusts in Kent and Medway. In all my oncology counselling roles I have had a special interest in the psychological impact of breast cancer on patients and this includes those with a BRCA gene alteration; I also have an awareness of how this might be for their family members, with or without a gene alteration, and the challenge for them accessing psychological support.

When I was invited  to be part of the BRCA Kent group in a supportive capacity I jumped at the chance; I would like to champion all those with a BRCA gene alteration having equitable access to psychological support.

I live in Kent and have 2 adult children; my daughter has 3 children, including twins born in September 2024 and my son and his partner are expecting their first baby in October 2025. I enjoy time with my partner, family and friends and destress playing tennis 2 or 3 times a week.