Hospice thanks community nurse for providing a lifeline to end of life patients on Christmas Day

A hospice has paid tribute to a community nurse who is giving up Christmas Day so patients nearing the end of their lives can spend the occasion at home with their families.

Jean Austin is a Community Palliative Care Nurse at Ashgate Hospice in Derbyshire and cares for patients who are living with a palliative or end of life condition, and their families, in their own homes. 

Jean, who has been caring for patients for many years, will be working alongside colleagues, fielding calls through the hospice’s advice line between 9am and 5pm on Christmas Day, offering a vital lifeline to families in crisis.  

Jean will be on hand to offer specialist advice as well as practical and emotional support to help patients manage complex symptoms during a difficult time.   

Although she will miss out on celebrating with her family this year, she feels “privileged” to be able to be there for patients when they need her support. 

“Having a loved one ill at Christmas time is both stressful and heart-breaking for many of the families we care for,” said Jean. 

“I think it is important that we’re able to make their homes an empathetic environment where patients and their families feel safe and supported. 

“Witnessing the heartache of patients and their relatives when dealing with the symptoms of having an end of life diagnosis can be so hard. 

“But providing love and support to our patients and families who recognise that this will be their last Christmas together is essential.

“I feel very privileged that I can help provide support and care to our patients this Christmas.” 

Jean’s day-to-day role involves assessing, implementing and coordinating the care of the palliative and end of life patients across the North Derbyshire community. 

She joined the hospice as a nurse on its Inpatient Unit in January 2021 before transferring to the hospice’s Community Team in May 2021. 

Jean says her job can be “unpredictable” at times, particularly when patients need urgent attention and the support of other vital services need pulling together.  

This will be one of many Christmases Jean has worked during her time as a hospice nurse; she says her own experiences help her care for patients. 

Jean said: “Having been a nurse for many years I always enjoy working during the festive period, plus it gets you out of doing the dreaded washing up! 

“Having had both my parents ill during Christmas time due to life-limiting illnesses I can empathise with relatives celebrating the festive season with their loved ones knowing that this could be their last Christmas together.  

“I feeI I can understand how the relatives are feeling and hopefully provide the appropriate support and advice that they need.” 

Jean says she has made some fond memories with patients and their families at Christmastime over the years. 

“I remember when a patient’s condition unexpectedly deteriorated; they needed us to urgently administer a syringe driver,” she added. 

“But they were already well into the festive spirit and their main concern was hoping they would be able to have pigs in blankets for Christmas dinner!” 

This year, Ashgate must raise £8 million over and above NHS funding to provide its care.