Staff Spotlight: Becky Hilse, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care


Hi, my name is Becky Hilse and I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Palliative Care for Compton Hospice.


My role as a CNS involves supporting patients diagnosed with an incurable illness who are thought to be in the last 12 months of life. I visit patients in their own homes, or in their chosen place of care (which could be a nursing home or care home), to help them manage the symptoms associated with their illness. I also offer emotional and psychological support to both the patient and their family members. I act as the patient’s advocate – liaising with and drawing on other professionals to ensure the right level of care is put in place. Part of my role also includes teaching and training of medical students.


My working day usually starts at 8am. After putting the kettle on I will pick up any messages that have been left for the CNS Home Care team and pass them on accordingly. I then attend an ‘Admission’s Meeting’ where the team discuss the needs of patients who are on the waiting list to come into the hospice inpatient unit for either symptom control, respite or end of life care. This is always a difficult task as we have to determine which patients are most in need and take into consideration the number of free beds and nursing staff we have available.


After the Admissions Meeting we go through the new referrals to the home care service. We can have between 2 and 10 new referrals every day usually coming from nurse specialists and doctors in hospitals, GP’s, district nurses and nursing homes. We look at each referral and a member of the team will follow up with a phone call to the patient to determine if we can support them.


I will then head out on my daily visits. Each CNS supports between 25 and 30 patients at any one time. How often we see the patient is dependent on their individual needs as some require more regular visits than others. Visits to patients homes are usually planned a week or so in advance, however there are times when emergency visits need to be arranged. I try to plan my week in advance as much as possible, however I need to stay flexible in order to respond as needed.


I tend not to plan more than 5 visits a day. Although this doesn’t sound like much, with each visit I want to ensure that the patient / family member is given the time and opportunity to address their needs and concerns. During the visits I may need to provide support with symptom management, make referrals for support from other agencies or just be there for them to talk to.


At around 2.30pm I will head back to our offices to follow up on any actions discussed with my patients. This could be making medical referrals, making medication requests or handing over information to other service areas within the hospice.


I really enjoy my job. I love the fact that I am given the opportunity to meet and form relationships with patients at such an important time. I feel privileged that patients feel so confident and trusting of me to welcome me into their homes. I always think that our job is just as important as seeing a baby into the world – we are there to ensure people leave the world as peacefully, comfortably and pain free as possible.


7 www.compton-hospice.org.uk


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