Working Life: Christmas can be important for patients with a life-limiting illness and their families

Noreen O’Shea helps people focus on quality of life and making each day count for patients at the end of life. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Noreen O’Shea, consultant in palliative medicine, Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service, University Hospital Kerry

“I’m a graduate of University College Cork, completing my specialist training in palliative medicine in 2021, followed by a fellowship in neuropalliative care.

“My decision to pursue a career in palliative medicine was shaped from an early stage. Both my parents were healthcare professionals and, growing up, I saw first-hand not only the care of family members at the end of life, but also their role in delivering palliative care to people with serious illness in the local community.

“Working with specialist palliative care services during my basic specialist training cemented my decision that palliative medicine was the area I wanted to specialise in. I witnessed the delivery of truly patient-centred, holistic care through a collaborative team approach, and the impact of high-quality palliative care on patients and their families. There’s a clear focus on quality of life and making each day count.

“Daily work involves assessing and managing complex symptoms, supporting patients and families, providing specialist advice to colleagues in the hospital and community, along with the delivery of palliative care education to healthcare professionals.

“Occasions like Christmas can be important for patients with a life-limiting illness and their families. I recall a young mother with terminal cancer who had a strong wish to spend two nights at home over the Christmas period with her husband and children. The specialist palliative care team and local community services worked together to make this wish happen.

The festive season can be a particularly challenging time as patients and families worry about who to turn to if they become unwell

Over Christmas, I worked as part of the Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Service, supporting the emergency department and acute hospital, providing inpatient consultations and advice, as well as providing community palliative care, working with GPs and public health nurses to support patients to stay at home. We also cared for patients in our inpatient and day care palliative care units.

“We aimed to ensure that patients received compassionate, responsive care in the hope of reducing crises during the holidays. It’s important that patients and families are aware that specialist palliative care services in Kerry remain available across multiple settings even during holiday periods.”

• Kerry Hospice Foundation is dedicated to supporting the provision of palliative care to the people of Kerry and the surrounding areas. More details at kerryhospice.com