Hi, I’m kelly.

I have worked in the NHS the whole of my adult life. I qualified as a nurse through the University of Southampton in 2001. For the past 10 years I have worked as a specialist heart failure nurse, both in the community and in the hospital setting. I have continued my studies throughout my career.

Some courses I’ve completed, and qualifications I have include:

  • Becoming a non-medical prescriber in 2015

  • Masters level in heart failure and palliative care

  • Advanced life support instructor

  • A mentorship qualification

  • Resilience practitioner training programme

  • Wellbeing coaching programme

  • Advanced communication skills, history taking and physical examination, prevention of cardiovascular disease, and many more.

I lecture on heart failure and cardiovascular disease to a variety of different audiences. I am a member of the British Holistic Medical association, and have undertaken teacher training in breathwork and meditation.

When I ran heart failure clinics on the Isle of Wight, patients who came into the clinic for the first time were generally scared. No one had taken the time to listen fully to their story, or take the time to explain their diagnosis. All they had heard were the words ‘heart failure’. Most felt this was a death sentence and that there was no hope of recovery.

The most rewarding part of my role was listening to a person’s story and being able to use their own words to explain how they had got to this point, why they felt the way they did, and most importantly; what treatments and strategies there were to improve their health and wellbeing. Even for those who were deemed palliative, listening and supporting patients and their families in coming to terms with their diagnosis was hugely rewarding.

I created Island Holistic Healthcare as I wanted to practice what I preached and live a life that was in-line with who I am and what I believe in; holism, compassion, intuition, balance, connection, wisdom, equity, and love. I realised my calling as a nurse and holistic practitioner was to help others find wellness in this crazy world we live in.

I am able to combine my knowledge, communication and assessment skills, along with my own experiences, to help support individuals in understanding and improving their own health and wellbeing along side the traditional Western medical model. Working with individuals to create bespoke health care plans, blending nursing, mentoring and coaching, for meaningful change, referring on to appropriate services where required. I help people with:

  • Heart Conditions

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Autoimmune Diseases

  • Stress, Anxiety & Depression

  • Following a Hospital Admission

  • Poor Sleep & Insomnia

  • Weight Issues

  • Long Term Health Conditions

why we loved working with kelly

Dr Kaushik Guha

I have had the pleasure of working with Kelly, on a long term basis. As a heart failure cardiologist and colleague, I have found Kelly a pleasure to work with. She is passionate and enthusiastic and offers holistic, compassionate care to all. At every point in the patient's journey, Kelly has been the patient's advocate and her dedication to offering high level specialist nursing care has meant that many many patients have been saved and journey through difficult times due to her dedication, knowledge base and attention to detail.  I could not recommend Kelly with more praise, you will be within a very safe pair of hands! 

Mrs Katy L

I really enjoyed the wellness plan and have incorporated a number of habits into my daily life. For me, the plan started with an introductory meeting where Kelly established the key influences in my life as well as my medical and family history. This formed the foundation for building the activities within the plan. Kelly made health, fitness and wellness recommendations as well as signposting many useful resources including breath work and meditation. Throughout the 40 days, Kelly checked in regularly to offer support with maintaining the plan, answering any queries and providing purpose made resources. For me, Kelly’s experience, knowledge and calm communication was a real tonic through the process which guided and enabled me to really focus on my well-being and to curious about my surroundings. A big thank you from me and I will be keeping my eye out for any other sessions offered :-) Thanks Kelly x 

Mrs Taylor

If you want someone who is genuinely passionate about helping you to heal, then Kelly is your woman.
In the short space of time that I have been in receipt of her service, I have felt listened to, considered and cared for. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried and never felt judged. Kelly has an excellent ability to explain the relationship between the physical and emotional and has already given me ‘tools’ to work towards righting the balance between them.
Without a shadow of doubt I would recommend Kelly to anyone seeking support through a difficult time. 

Mrs Paston-Cooper

Having contracted flu over Christmas I had to be treated in hospital for five weeks with myocarditis. When I was discharged my cardiologist put me in touch with Kelly, and I’m so glad he did because she is so efficient, knowledgeable and thorough. It has been so reassuring to know that she is there to answer any questions I have, to explain everything in terms I can understand and to liaise with my cardiologist and GP. She has been a great comfort to me and my family in what has been a very difficult and worrying time for us. 

Mr camara

My experience with Kelly was great! Kelly was extremely patient with me as she completed my ECG, and went the extra mile to understand me as a person. She offered me lots of advice and sat down with me explaining what she was testing, and what I could do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I would absolutely recommend Kelly as she went above and beyond to meet my needs and  she was a very thoughtful person  which counts for a lot nowadays! :) 

David

I went to see Kelly who was reccommended by friends. I had just been diagnosed with type two diabetes and wanted to find out more about the disease and its impact on my life. I came awaywith some really helpful information. Kelly was insightful, thorough, clear and caring. I have since lost two stone and feel the healthiest I have done in years.

Jo Payne

“After sadly losing my mum in April of this year, my heart displayed some irregularities and I was diagnosed with Broken Heart Syndrome (Takutsobu). Kelly worked alongside my cardiologist and was completely professional, ridiculously knowledgeable, and a pillar of support. Kelly was able to explain the condition of my heart, the implications of it's function levels, the reasons for the medication, and also next steps with the cardioversion- all in words that I could relate to.

Kelly was able to articulate the outcome of the echocardiogram, and she also performed an ECG to check my heart activity - where she would take her time in giving me an explanation of the results. Knowledge is key when you are worried about your own health - and through each step of my journey Kelly would be factual, honest, and reassuring.

I have to admit I didn't want to take the beta-blockers and delayed this for a little while; Kelly took a firm but clear and open discussion with me regarding the effects of the medication and it's beneficial impact upon my heart at that time. I am so grateful for this now looking back at a time when I was grieving, anxious, and in a spin about what I should / shouldn't be doing.

Kelly really is a calm, kind, informative professional whom I would completely recommend and endorse any work of hers in supporting wellbeing, both physically and mentally.

George Wilks

“Following my heart attack, and my discharge from hospital, I was fortunate to be placed in Kelly's care. The regular appointments comprised of health checks, adjustments to my medication regime, as well as general chats about concerns, worries, discussion of what was sensible to do and not do, and the pros and cons of cardiac device implantation.

I always found Kelly a good listener, easy to get on with, cheerful, honest and with a deep knowledge of her subject .

She certainly helped me through the difficult first months. Highly recommended!”