Spotlight on Services: Introducing our Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health services - iCaSH

“I am Beth, and I work at iCash Milton Keynes, I've been here a little over 3 years. 

"I am an HCA, and my job is very varied. I assist clinicians in the procedure clinics and also chaperone in GU. I do a weekly Asymptomatic clinic on a Tuesday. I am also the health & wellbeing champion for Milton Keynes, in fact tomorrow we have had our first monthly walk with the team, which we recently set up. I do the Partner notifications, to help support the health advisors too. I also help do the recall and order the meds from the pharmacy. 

"Outside of work I love to bake, especially loving making sourdough, and spending time with my family.”

“I'm a Service Support Lead at iCaSH, my role is to support all aspects of the day to day running of the clinic and some reporting in the background. I love what I do because every day is different, the team are amazing, and I know we make a difference to so many people.”

“As an Admin Assistant I am responsible for booking patients in as well as maintaining a good office structure. What I love about my job is the variety as no two days are the same and that my job is all about patient care and putting them first. I love that I work with a great team as well, which is important.”

“I’m Sarah, senior HCA at iCaSH Peterborough, resident metal head and lover of all things spooky.  I have worked in sexual health and HIV care for nearly 18 years now and I love it! It is a privilege to work with the team here at Peterborough and they are my friends as well as my colleagues.”

“I have been a call handler within the iCaSH Cambridge team for over 4 years now. I really enjoy my job and work with a brilliant bunch of people! I have used the skills I have learned from working here to progress to working with the iCaSH Cambridge Outreach team as well. Every day is different, and I love being able to help patients and get them booked in for their appointments. Some patients call really nervous about contacting a sexual health clinic and I have had positive feedback from patients as to how I have put them at ease and made the whole process less scary.” 

“I’m Graham, I work at iCaSH Peterborough. What I love about my job is the variety. One day I might see people who are concerned they might have an STI and can diagnose and treat them in one visit, another day I do a clinic managing people living with HIV-some of whom I have known for over a decade and another time I might be in a meeting reviewing how we can improve and change services. The teams I work with and alongside are fabulous too, whether it be the local multidisciplinary team here in Peterborough or the wider iCaSH leadership team-everyone is passionate about delivering the best service we can for our patients.”

“I’m a Clinical Nurse Specialist that is dual trained in contraception and sexual health & I am also the Deputy Clinical Nurse Manager at Vancouver House. 

"I love that every day is different doing my role, from talking to patients about their contraception needs to seeing patients who are really anxious about sexual health worries, reassuring them & making their experience as pleasant as it can be! 

"My favourite part of my job though is our Under 18 clinics! There is nothing better than striking up a rapport with a young person & helping them navigate their first experience of visiting iCaSH!

"I really do have the best job ever!”

“I am a consultant in Genitourinary (GUM) and HIV medicine working in Norwich at our iCaSH clinic. Day to day we see people living with HIV, ensuring that they live well and supporting them to take the medication so the virus cannot make them unwell or be passed on. We have Sit and Wait clinics, where people from all walks of life can come and be seen for issues spanning the specialty - from chlamydia to syphilis, discharge to tummy pain, or for preventative medication and vaccines to help them reduce the risk of acquiring HIV or other STIs. What I love most about my work is working closely as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with every member providing a vital role to ensure all round care for our patients.

"I am also the Trust Lead for our bid to become an HIV Confident Trust where people living with HIV can receive care and work without fear of stigma - look up HIV confident on your ESR if you would like to learn more!"

“Hi, I am Ida and I am a call handler for iCaSH, my daily life looks like, answering many phone calls (approx. >50), greeting patients, and booking into clinics. We have sit & wait clinics which can be extremely busy and work as part of the Team to organise. I bag up condoms, stock up stationary, help the clinicians arrange appointments and rebook patients.

"Every day is different, learn something new every day and enjoy working at iCaSH and could not think of anywhere better to work!

"Outside of work my interests are farming, luxury living, holidays which involve drinking cocktails in the sun, and socialising with my partner.”

“My name is Ivy Manyika, I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist currently based at Lime Tree Clinic in Cambridge.  I have been part of iCaSH family since September 2023. Although it’s been it’s been 2years and 7 months since I have joined, I have over 20 years’ experience working in Sexual Health. This is a field I have thoroughly enjoyed, and I am proud to be part of an evolving service.

"There are many reasons I love my job; the list is endless but let me share with you the main reasons. This speciality is very delicate for individuals. I always aim to create a safe space for my patients, creating non-judgmental an environment for patients to discuss sensitive issues or concerns they are experiencing.

"I have come across Patients from different cultural backgrounds. As a lover of food, I get to learn and get tips on recipes from all over the world.  Working with a diverse population has most definitely enhanced my understanding of how sexual health impacts different cultural groups.

"It is a delightful duty to be able to empower individuals, especially young people about understanding their bodies, and being able to make informed choices about their Sexual Health.

"Lastly, I would not be able to have accomplished my knowledge and skills in this role without the support of my colleagues. In an industry that is constantly evolving, peer support enhances the quality and confidence of patient care.

"It has been a tremendous journey, one that feels very rewarding.”  

“My name is Hayley, and I am a Speciality Dr in contraception. My role is to lead and support a team of contraception nurses, as well as working my own clinics with complex contraception cases. This involves tricky coil fittings, finding and removing deep implants and performing pelvic ultrasound examinations. I work across two of our sites and enjoy the wide variety of cases I see. I am also privileged to be a trainer for the CoSRH and enjoy training up both internal and external colleagues to become coil and implant fitters.  The things I love about my role the most are the wonderful teams I get to work with and being able to use my expertise and passion for women’s health to offer patients a high standard of clinical care.”

“I work as a consultant in sexual health and HIV, caring for people living with HIV and a wide range of sexual health concerns. My day-to-day role involves diagnosing and treating conditions, supporting patients through sensitive and often difficult situations, and helping them stay informed. I enjoy providing high-quality, compassionate care and am lucky to work with supportive colleagues who make this possible. I’m also passionate about improving access and outcomes for underserved communities, and I’m interested in finding innovative ways to make sexual health services more inclusive and effective.”