Chantelle McCormack – Registered Nurse on our Inpatient Unit

Annually, St Elizabeth Hospice cares for more than 4,000 patients and their families throughout East & Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney. This care sees the independent Suffolk charity providing free services – whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice – to those living with a progressive or life-limiting illness.

One member of the hospice’s clinical team is Chantelle McCormack, who is a registered nurse on the charity’s inpatient unit in Ipswich.

“Whenever people ask me about my job, I always say it’s a privilege to support patients and their families during such precious times in their lives, helping them make the most of life,” said Chantelle, who joined the team in 2023.

“I really cannot imagine doing anything else and I can say without any doubt that this is most rewarding career I could have.

“Having attended Copleston High School (located next to the hospice on Foxhall Road) and with my mum working at the hospice, I was very aware of St Elizabeth Hospice and its work.

“As well as mum working in the hospice’s community team, my grandma was a nurse at Ipswich Hospital for many years, so I was inspired by those around to me become a nurse and it is something I don’t regret.

“I began my career in care in 2014, working as a healthcare assistance at Ipswich Hospital. There I worked as a bank member of staff, so I could experience a variety of departments to learn which area I would like to specialise in.

“I secured a permanent job at the hospital and stayed there for six years, before deciding to start my nursing studies at University Campus Suffolk where I qualified in 2023.

“Through my experiences at Ipswich Hospital, and inspired by my mum, I knew my passion lay within palliative care. So, after qualifying, I was pleased to be to secure a role at St Elizabeth Hospice.

“I actually joined the hospice at the same time as a fellow newly-qualified nurse, Eilish Clarkson, who studied with me at university. It’s has been wonderful to support each other through our studies and our first roles at the hospice.

“Every day at the hospice is different, which is something I really enjoy. You might start the morning assisting someone with breakfast, then move on to symptom control, checking in on how they’re doing and how best you can support them.

“We also keep their families and loved ones updated, assisting with medical plans or discharge plans to enable patients to return home safely to receive care, if this is their wish to do so.

“At the hospice, we get to know patients and their families as people, which is really lovely and helps us deliver the best, holistic care possible – supporting their independence and meeting individual needs.

“We also work closely with our LivingGrief emotional and wellbeing colleagues, who offer additional emotional support for patients and their families.

“We are really lucky to have such brilliant staff and volunteers who maintain our beautiful garden and pond which patients greatly appreciate. A quick trip to the garden or a little time in our conservatory, even just for half an hour, can make a world of difference to their day.

“Similar to many people in the local community, my family has also received care from the hospice. In spring 2024, my grandad received help with symptom control from our inpatient unit, and I had no worries about the care he would have, as I know how incredible the team are.

“He was really keen to return home, and the team worked closely with our occupational therapy staff to fulfill his wish to die at home, surrounded by his family.

“Grandad couldn’t speak highly enough of the hospice, and in his memory, I even took on the Ipswich Half Marathon to raise funds for the charity – which was a great challenge.

“I would always encourage people to reach out to the hospice via our website or by calling our 24/7 support phone line, OneCall, to find out how our services could support you and your loved one.

“What makes St Elizabeth Hospice so special is its people – the staff, volunteers, supporters and those under our compassionate care.

“Every day, I see the difference our services make to patients and their families, and I am so proud to say I am part of the St Elizabeth Hospice team which delivers this care.”