We pride ourselves on sharing our extensive experience of end-of-life care with the next generation of doctors, nurses and other care-givers. The hospice team regularly welcomes students for short-term placements.
“It’s really important for us to offer the care-givers of the future a true perspective of what end-of-life care is all about, the challenges we face and the value we add to our patients as well as to their loved ones,” said Ward Manager Debbie Evans.
We recently welcomed Alison Walsh, a student mental health nurse on the Nurse Degree Apprenticeship programme, for a ‘spoke’ placement.
Alison is in the second year of a three-year degree course at the University of Chester and is being sponsored by her employer Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to train as a nurse.
“I am passionate about mental health having struggled with my own mental health as a young person. I am interested in promoting equal access to care for people with long-term mental health conditions, including in the area of end-of-life care,” Alison explained.
Alison came to nursing later in life after a career in research support, where she worked with staff in universities to develop applications for competitive research grant funding. Prior to this
Alison completed a PhD investigating proposed changes to the law on assisted dying in Australia.
“Despite my studies and interests, I have no clinical experience in end-of-life care and spending time in a hospice was in some ways a missing piece of the jigsaw.
“My placement experience at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd was incredibly heartwarming and positive. It gave me a unique insight into the complexities of what it takes to support the families of those with an end-of-life diagnosis.
“It was clear that I had come to a very special place filled with peace, calm and hope. I was given a wonderful induction despite everyone being so busy caring for their patients. They really took the time to get to know me.
“The hospice is an incredible place. I was able to spend time talking to patients and their families and I found so much openness and honesty, especially when it came to demystifying the process of end-of-life care for everyone concerned.
“The hospice clearly means so much to the patients and their families. It’s remarkable to see how staying connected with the hospice after their loved passes away provides many families with support and comfort whilst they are grieving.
“One of the big lessons was that the right resources delivered by caring and experienced people working in the right environment can make all the difference to the end-of-life experience and help create a ‘better’ death for all concerned.
“The whole experience had a massive impact on me and I am so grateful for the opportunity. It will be one of my most valuable and memorable experiences as a student nurse.”