Hello, my name is Anita McCabe and I am a healthcare assistant in the Freeman Hospital’s Palliative Care team.
My role is to support the Palliative Care Service at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital as well as coordinating charitable funds and resources across the Trust.
My daily routine involves supporting patients, relatives, carers, and staff at the imminent end of life, as well as supporting patients who have a palliative diagnosis and need a little bit more support and company.
My input usually involves sitting with patients and their loved ones, providing psychological support, practical help such as car parking passes, comfort packs and other requests.
Because the post was a new role in the trust, I was involved in developing this alongside the service managers.
I love the developmental part of my role and am given the autonomy to explore changes where necessary.
Tell us how your NHS career began
I started my healthcare career twenty one years ago in Human Resources (HR). I explored a more clinical role when I had my first child and then returned to admin to maintain a more sustainable work life balance all the while knowing I would return to clinical roles when the time was right.
In 2015 I attended college for my NVQ level 3 in healthcare independently and obtained some shifts on the Staff Bank. This is where I found the role of end-of-life HCA, which at the time was a Macmillan funded project.
In August 2019 the trust secured funding for the posts to be made substantive, I applied and got one of the jobs.
In 2021 I explored a community palliative care HCA post but felt that I preferred the hospital setting and returned to the trust as a Healthcare Assistant in Palliative Care.
I would love the opportunity to progress the role and whilst still working within my limitations also, acknowledge the specific skills this role requires.
Tell us why you love your job
I love feeling as though I make a difference and often get feedback from families about how the smallest acts, like giving them the time for some time away from the bedside and knowing their loved ones aren’t alone, are the most beneficial.
My input can sometimes take away the stress and change direction of conversations in a more positive way like discussing how their loved one used to be and sharing funny stories. I like the thought of being able to use my own initiative and thinking outside the box when families need help and support.
I was asked to arrange a patient wedding when she was in the last few months of her life, which was a privilege and seeing them so happy on their wedding day was just amazing.
I feel like I get job satisfaction on a daily basis and look forward to coming in to work every day. I feel like I am trusted to do my job and have a very good relationship with my qualified colleagues.
