Our Clinical Nurses Specialists (CNS) work in the community alongside GPs and District Nurses to provide specialist advice to patients who have a life-limiting illness.
With advanced knowledge of pain and symptom management designed to improve the quality of life for our patients, our CNSs undertake additional training to develop their clinical skills and expertise in order to support other healthcare professionals, particularly when dealing with individuals with complex symptoms to ensure that their needs are met.
Ria Delahunty-James has been an Isabel Hospice CNS for two years. Having previously worked at North Middlesex University Hospital, she joined the clinical team here as she wanted to gain palliative care experience both in a hospice and community setting.
She said: “Since joining Isabel Hospice, I’ve developed my skills and completed various competencies which enable me to work as a specialist nurse carrying out extended roles. I manage my own caseload of patients and work closely with our local GP practices to ensure people have access to specialist palliative care at the point that they require it.
“This additional training includes having conversations around Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR). This is particularly important for patients who have advanced disease and the potential to deteriorate and end up being admitted to an acute hospital setting. This enables those who have expressed a wish to not be resuscitated to have a DNACPR order put in place in a timely manner.”
Ria has also recently started the Non-Medical Prescribing course at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Once completed, she will be qualified to prescribe certain medications from a formulary, which enables patients to have speedier access to the right drugs to control their symptoms.
All of our CNSs are supported by Isabel’s education team, who are always seeking opportunities for our nurses to access training to further upskill as part of our vision of delivering outstanding palliative care for all.
Ria added: “I love my job at Isabel because I’m fortunate to work with a wide range of experts who support and teach each other to offer the best service we can. The Hospice always encourages and supports further education and training in our specialist roles.
“I believe everyone should have access to excellent palliative and end-of-life care as death is something we will all face at some point in our lives. If I can help patients and families have a positive experience at their most difficult time, then it’s all been worthwhile.”
