Day in the life of Dr Christie at Dove House.

I joined Dove House in August 2025 as part of my GP training rotation. I stepped into palliative medicine with a lot of uncertainty and curiosity. Though I did not start my medical journey here, it didn't take long for Dove House to feel like a place where I could learn, surrounded by compassion and love.
As a GP trainee, my role is a mixture of medicine and humanity. Each day begins with really listening to patients and their families.
I help manage difficult symptoms so that patients can find comfort, dignity and meaning in the moments that matter the most. My work also involves supporting families, guiding difficult conversations, and collaborating with our incredible multidisciplinary team, nurses, care assistants, therapists and volunteers, who each bring something unique to the holistic care we provide.

Some days are busy, some emotional but every day is filled with so much love!
From the moment, I joined, I felt the warmth: the way staff greet each other by name, how patients are spoken of with tenderness, and how every corner of the building seems to be filled with warmth and kindness.
The corridors feel peaceful and the garden is really pretty and I remember thinking, 'Hmmm, this place feels a little different'

Dove House is special because it holds a kind of tenderness that you don't find everywhere. It's in the way staff speak softly to the patients, in the gentle humour shared over tea, the warm hugs that are so freely given and the little acts of care that happen throughout the day.

What sets Dove House apart is the ability to blend amazing clinical care with compassion and a deep sense of humanity. Every discipline from nurses, doctors, therapists, volunteers, kitchen staff, housekeeping works together like pieces of a carefully crafted puzzle, each one essential and valued.

I look forward to learning something new, whether it's a clinical insight or a practical skill. And yes, I'll confess ... the canteen lunch is a highlight. It's amazing what a good meal does to the soul.

The moments that stand out are often simple ones, a patient feeling comfortable after struggling with difficult symptoms, or hearing a patient say 'that really helped', or a colleague cracking a joke to brighten my day.
A typical day starts with making a cup of tea for the handover meeting, attending the meeting to catch up on how patients have been over night, followed by ward rounds where I review patients, manage symptoms, and check in with families. The rest of the day is a mix of patient care, supporting colleagues, attending teaching sessions, with small moments of calm for a quick chat, more tea or chocolates.

No two days are the same, but each one is grounded in making patients comfortable, supporting families, and working with a great team.

One of the biggest achievements for me has been learning to combine clinical skills with compassionate, patient-centered care. I have also grown confidence in making complex decisions alongside the team, and in communicating with families during difficult times.

Very random, but I also learned how to make the 'bestest' cup of tea while at Dove House! :)
Emotional days are part of working in palliative care, and what helps me most is the support of the team. There are big hugs, lots of encouragement and ted talks that keep me moving when I feel down. I also try to take small pauses to breathe and rest outside of work, staying connected to friends and family helps me feel grounded and recharged.

As a GP trainee, my time in Dove House is gradually coming to an end. I hope to stay connected to the values that make Dove House special, the kindness, teamwork, and truly patient-centered care, and to keep learning from the people