11 Oct News: Humanity is the best medicine of all

“I am not the same doctor – and, indeed, the same person – who walked through the front doors three months ago … Yes, I have learnt so much about death, but I have learnt so much about life.”

Niamh was a House Officer at Cranford Hospice for three months this year as part of her Junior Doctor programme. We had to share her beautiful words with you, to show the caring and compassionate work that you have helped us share with our medical community.

“To all the wonderful people that make Cranford Hospice what it is,

Thank you so much for having me these past three months. I don’t think I have ever felt so seen, heard and supported as a human being in my job. I felt truly part of the team and of the organisation – not just a cog in the machine.

I am not the same doctor – and, indeed, the same person – who walked through the front doors three months ago. From the medical standpoint, I feel much more comfortable ringing hospice for advice, much less powerless in managing people with advanced illnesses, and much more confident in having emotive conversations with patients and families.

Now that I have seen good symptom control, I can recognise suffering. I feel rehumanised. I had not realised how disconnected I have become from the caring and compassionate side of medicine. But now I get it I may have to come back for cups of tea when I start to inevitably lose it. Every single one of you is an asset to this place – never forgot that. It doesn’t matter what your job title is – we are all human, and sharing that humanity with our patients and families is the best medicine of all.

Yes, I have learnt so much about death, but I have learnt so much about life.

Much aroha, Niamh.”