New End of Life Matron settling well into post

Last updated 7-Jan-10 09:46

The Trust has recently appointed an End of Life matron, ensuring its terminally-ill patients continue to receive the best care possible throughout their final days.

Geraldine Barry commenced in post on 19^th October 2009. She brings many years of experience to the role, having worked in the Palliative Care field for 19 years. Most recently, this includes 7 years as Community Specialist Palliative Care Manager in Enfield. Curiously, Geraldine trained as a nurse at Chase Farm Hospital at the start of her career. Having been at other hospitals since then, her arrival at the Trust (where she works on both sites) marks something of a return to her roots.  

Geraldine describes the post, which is a newly-created one, as unlike any other she has come across in her previous workplaces. She is there to work with existing services to facilitate staff development to improve end of life care in line with national recommendations. This includes education and training, and supporting the use of the Liverpool Care Pathway. This Pathway represents the recognised best-practice for Palliative Care. It is already in place across both sites and Geraldine is keen to see that the Trust fully maximises the benefits its use can bring to patients, as well as their family and friends.

As well as her work in developing nursing staff in this field, Geraldine hopes to establish a personal reputation as a well-known and available person who is seen as approachable when nurses wish to speak to her.