Sarah Clifford – Community Clinical Nurse Specialist

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 Sarah Clifford, who is a clinical nurse specialist in the charity’s community team which also sees her work on our 24/7 advice phone line, OneCall.

“Working for the St Elizabeth Hospice community team is something I enjoy and find rewarding, as we are able to make a real impact on people’s lives,” said Sarah, who joined the team in 2010.

“Before starting my nursing training, I worked as a healthcare assistant in a residential home, where I discovered my passion for delivering individualised patient care.

“Working in this role, gave me the ambition to complete my nurse training and provided a solid foundation in patient care. I did my training at University Campus Suffolk, where I particularly enjoyed my placement on the hospital’s oncology ward. The variety of experiences there sparked my interest in palliative care.

“When I qualified, St Elizabeth Hospice had a vacancy that felt like the perfect fit, and I was fortunate to be offered the role. In fact, I was the first newly-qualified nurse the hospice employed to work on the Inpatient Unit.

“Having experienced the hospice’s services through my family, this personal connection, combined with my passion for supporting palliative care patients, motivated me to take on the role – a decision I have not regretted.

“I enjoy the variety of roles at the hospice. I spent five years working on the Inpatient Unit, before joining the community team where I have been ever since.

“In my current role, as a community clinical nurse specialist, I work within a team providing specialist palliative care to patients, their families and carers, in the local community – providing support via clinics, home visits and our 24/7 phone line OneCall.

“This can include in-depth holistic assessments of patients, symptom management and directing them to other healthcare services they could benefit from; as well as much, much more.

“It really is a varied role, and one that sees us assess and deliver individualised care to address their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, helping them to achieve their care wishes. Whilst also building relationships with them and their families to ensure we provide compassionate and holistic support to fully meet their needs.

“I could be working on our 24/7 phone support line, OneCall, responding to calls from patients, their families and carers, or other healthcare professionals. This involves providing advice on symptom control, coordinating a team member to visit patients at home for face-to-face support, or signposting them to other appropriate services.

“Alternatively, I might be conducting home visits in the community myself or supporting our Community Care Unit team, assisting patients who attend this outpatient service at the hospice building.

“Many patients wish to receive care in their own homes, as it is somewhere which is familiar and where they feel safe.

“It is extremely rewarding to care for people during such a significant time in their lives. Helping them achieve their care wishes during their most difficult times is a real privilege.

“Our whole team shares the same commitment of ensuring those living with life-limiting and progressive illnesses should have the best quality of life possible. I am so proud to be part of a team which delivers this level of care in my local community.

“Living locally, I know the love and support the hospice receives, and it is a real honour to be a part of a team which delivers a service that matters and one that is really appreciated by supporters and the community alike.

“Our team is here to provide reassurance and support to you and your loved ones during the most challenging times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the hospice, if you believe our services could make a difference in your life. We’re here to help, when supports matters most.”