Rebecca Osborn – Community Clinical Specialist Nurse

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 Rebecca Osborn, who is a clinical specialist nurse in the charity’s Community Team which also sees her work on its 24/7 advice line, OneCall.

“I love my job and I love being part of the hospice team. Supporting patients and their families during such an important time in their lives is incredibly rewarding,” said Rebecca, who has worked for the hospice since 2021.

“When I was about 10-years-old, my great-uncle was supported by St Elizabeth Hospice and received brilliant care. After he died, my cousin and I were inspired to take on a 24-hour sponsored silence in his memory to raise money to say ‘thank you’ for their care.

“Whilst I was a student nurse, my father-in-law then died in the hospice in 2015 and received excellent support. He always spoke of St Elizabeth Hospice so highly and the support he and our family received was invaluable throughout.

“I think these experiences really opened my eyes to end-of-life care and shaped my career choices going forward, as I had an appreciation and understanding of the difference hospice care could make to patients and their families.

“I studied Adult Nursing at the University of Suffolk before going on to work at another local hospice. I later joined St Elizabeth Hospice, initially as a Developmental Clinical Nurse Specialist.

“For me, palliative care is so important because you only get one chance to do it well. You can’t give that time back to patients and families, which is why every moment matters.

“My role sees me helping to coordinate our team as they attend visits with patients in the community, whether that’s in their own home or in a care setting such as a residential home.

“No two days are ever the same, so you have to be adaptable. Every call to our 24/7 advice line, OneCall, brings a new opportunity to support patients, families and healthcare professionals across the local community.

“Everything we do is guided by the patient’s wishes, whether that’s helping them remain at home surrounded by their loved ones and familiar comforts, or arranging additional support as their needs change.

“I love community nursing because every visit is unique. You’re a guest in someone’s home, which means you quickly get to know them as a person and not just their diagnosis or symptoms. Every patient has lived a full life before they meet us and it’s important we never lose sight of that.

“I enjoy hearing about their family, the work they’ve done, their hobbies, interests and even their pets.

“Those conversations help us build a genuine connection and provide care that’s tailored to what matters most to them, helping them live as comfortably and independently as possible for as long as they can.

“People often hear the word ‘hospice’ and immediately think of death and dying, but it is so much more than that.

“Our focus is on helping people live as well as possible, for as long as possible, in the place that’s right for them. That support can last weeks, months or even years.

“We’re there not only for patients but for the people around them too. We help families understand what’s happening, prepare for what’s ahead and, after a death, support them with the practical next steps and bereavement care. Knowing someone is there to guide you through those moments can make a real difference.

“I’ve experienced hospice care not only as a nurse, but also as a family member. My sister and my dad are both currently receiving support from the hospice following cancer diagnoses and seeing the care they receive every day is so reassuring.

“Knowing they’re well supported takes a huge weight off my shoulders. It allows me to take my nurse’s hat off and simply be a daughter and a sister.

“The team have been amazing, not just in supporting my dad and my sister, but in supporting me too. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be caring for my family.

“As a team, we’re very aware that we simply couldn’t deliver our services without the generous support of our local community.

It’s incredibly humbling and reflects what St Elizabeth Hospice is all about: a charity supported by the community, that provides vital care back to that same community.

“Every donation, no matter the size and every hour given by our volunteers makes a big difference.

“Their generosity enables us to continue providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families when they need it most.”