This is the day in the life of Joanne Gillespie, a Senior Sister here at Dove House Hospice!
Jo started at the hospice in September of 1991 as a Junior Staff Nurse.
What attracted you to you join the Dove House team?
My first ward out of training school was Oncology and we looked after a lot of palliative patients. I just thought that this was me and never really looked back. My second choice would have been Cardiology which I also loved. My feeling though around palliative care was that you could really give so much to the patient at the most awful time of their lives, and I loved being able to give them that care. It is really special being with someone at end of life, such a privilege.
What was the first thing that struck you about Dove House when you came for the first time?
When I came for my interview I was overwhelmed about the feeling I got when I came into the hospice reception, it really felt so right. It was as simple as that really! And I feel the same now as I did then, yes it is very different due to expansion of building and services we provide, but the heart of Dove House has not changed.
What do you feel makes Dove House special?
The patients and our close-knit team as well as the feeling of the place when you walk in. Our patients also sense that when they come which is so important.