St Luke’s News / Spring 2018
Pauline's 29 years at St Luke's St Luke’s 30th anniversary is extra special for two members of staff who will soon be celebrating their own 30 year anniversaries.
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It was one of the happiest days of my life, just like having my children and getting married because it was something I always wanted to do,” says nurse Pauline Burdsall as she recalls her first day working for St Luke’s nearly 29 years ago. “There have been so many changes physical changes such as extensions, but also the amount of staff. It’s got a lot bigger! But has St Luke’s changed from the caring, supportive place it was when I first came here? No. The other change is that more people are living with cancer now. But to get out there and live their life after what they’ve been through isn’t easy. So I feel supporting these people is now a huge part of what we do.”
with and their emotions surface so they can talk more freely. It can also help control symptoms from pain and nausea, to anxiety.” After nearly three decades at St Luke’s, Pauline is planning her well-earned retirement next year. But St Luke’s won’t be far from her thoughts. After recently doing a sky dive and abseil to raise money for the Hospice, she also hopes to do a zip wire challenge! “I can’t believe I have been here almost half my life. I’m very lucky because I love my job. We all have a little niche we fit into and I’ve been lucky enough to find mine.”
Pauline was instrumental to the introduction of complementary therapies for patients at St Luke’s, such as aromatherapy and hypnotherapy. “We had an uphill struggle at times, not everybody saw the benefits at first. But complementary therapies are like a key; if you can relax somebody they can think more clearly about what they want help
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If you would like to work for St Luke's please keep your eye on our website which advertises all paid and volunteer posts, www.stlukes-hospice.co.uk/jobs