Coming Full Circle

Deirdre Jenkins was one of the original nursing team in place when the Hospice opened in 1977. Recently, Deidre was admitted for end-of-life care and has been reflecting on similarities between the Hospice then and now...

“I sit in the tranquillity of the Columba Room, grateful to be in this very special place as my life draws to a close.

“I am doubly blessed. I’m remembering how, in this same place forty two years ago, we were in only our second month of existence as St Columba’s Hospice. With beds in the two big rooms in Challenger Lodge, our first patients and their families could look out at this same view which I see now through the Columba Room windows. We would watch the sturdy little pilot boats plough their way through these same waters to guide the ships safely to their destinations. “These early days were so filled with the passion and inspiration of this new concept of hospice care, which transformed care of the dying into a vibrant expression of life and love. This new field of medical expertise took on the challenge of symptom control and opened up the space for patients and families to treasure the time which remained. Time to communicate, to share important thoughts, heal ancient wounds, laugh at shared memories, to prepare for ‘afterwards’.

“This precious ‘time’ was so important to the staff also, sitting with patients or with relatives, sharing the tears and anxieties and staying close until spirits calmed again. The people and the building may have changed over the years but every death has left a pulsing legacy of love and the heart of the Hospice has grown deeper and stronger as every patient and family have joined the wider family of St Columba’s. “I feel so privileged and blessed to be spending my last days here and so grateful that my wonderful husband, BJ and son Liam, will have loving support as I leave, when the time comes. Not only that, they will always be sure of a welcome whenever they return to the Hospice family home.

“A truly special place.”