The start of my career in palliative care

I was looking for a meaningful role during my gap year before I started my studies in medicine. I felt it was important to gain a real understanding of what nurses and healthcare assistants do - something I knew would be invaluable in my future career as a doctor.

I knew of Sue Ryder as I’d grown up attending some of their charity events, but what really drew me in was the personalised care they offered. I wanted to be in a place where I could take the time to get to know my patients and their families. I knew that at Sue Ryder, I’d learn not just how to care for people, but how to care well.

It’s the simplest comforts that matter most in a patient’s final days: brushing their hair just the way they like it, adjusting pillows, opening a window on a sunny day or making sure they can see the garden.

One patient’s dying wish was to stroke a dog one last time, so I brought my Westie to see her. He just sat with her, and she petted him. It was such a lovely moment because I could see how happy it made her.

When supporting families it can be as simple as asking, how are you? And just being that reliable presence and source of comfort, someone to speak to daily. Families are left in an unknown situation when their loved one becomes unwell, but what they do know is that Sue Ryder is going to show up for them every day.

It brings me so much joy to walk away from a patient knowing I’ve done everything I can to make them comfortable, and to help their family feel at ease too. It means they can just be a family again, without the added worry of having to care for their loved one.

I was just 18 when I began working in palliative care and didn’t fully know what to expect. I quickly discovered it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Yes, there are sad moments, but there’s also laughter. It’s a privilege to be with people and their families during such an important time.

I have also realised that death doesn’t have to be a big, scary thing, and that speaking about it can release a lot of anxiety for people. There are lots of different factors that play into having a good death, and we shouldn’t be afraid to address them.

The team at Sue Ryder are all amazing and I have learnt so much from every one of them – knowledge that I will take forward during my time at Sue Ryder and in my role as a doctor when I qualify.