What’s your role?
I’m a Community Nurse Specialist at St Wilfrid's

What inspired you to become a St Wilfrid’s Hospice nurse?
My first job in healthcare was as an Healthcare Assistant at the Christie cancer hospital in Manchester, aged 23 (half a lifetime ago!) and I knew then that I wanted to be a nurse and pursue a career in palliative care.

I worked in hospices in London and on moving to Eastbourne, had my heart set on working at St Wilfrid's. The hospice has a significant profile in the area and a well-earned reputation for delivering compassionate care of the highest standard. St Wilfrid's clearly means a great deal to the local community and I am proud to be a part of that.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me involves firstly checking and organising my calendar and any tasks that have come in overnight, or the day before. We have our morning team meeting, to discuss any issues or updates and if there is anything we can do to help each other as a team. Generally, my day will be a combination of home visits and telephone calls and is often non-stop! No day is the same, with different challenges and rule number one is to expect the unexpected!

What’s the best thing about your job?
The best part of my job is meeting people from all different walks of life, hearing their stories and being able to build relationships with them.

I am so often inspired by the strength and courage of patients and their loved ones in the face of often very difficult circumstances and find it truly humbling. I feel privileged to be able to help support those in need of hospice care and feel that the value of being able to help provide people with comfort and quality of life, as they approach the end of their lives, is immeasurable. I feel proud to be part of such a wonderful supportive team and an organisation with a special ethos and atmosphere, that provides exceptional care.