Spotlight on our Specialist Palliative Care Triage Administration Assistant at St John’s Hospice

It’s hugely important for patients, families and the wider community to understand who and how we provide Hospice care.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Jacqui Latimer, who works as a Specialist Palliative Care Triage Administration Assistant at St John’s Hospice.

Jacqui and her colleagues provide a central point of contact, seven days a week, for our Community Specialist Palliative Care Team, to support calls from patients, carers, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

For many people who need specialist palliative care from our team, Jacqui is often the first person they speak to. Her role sees her registering referrals to pass on to our triage nurses, providing advice on our services, as well as sign-posting to other services where needed.

Jacqui, who has worked in her role for over six and a half years said: “Living with, or caring for, someone requiring specialist palliative care and support, can be worrying, so that first phone call with us can be a lifeline towards getting the right help and information.

“We offer our knowledge and advice in a friendly and compassionate way and like to describe our support as a ‘Hospice Hug’, as we know how much we help those who come into contact with us, and how much we are appreciated by them.

“Whether it’s supporting referrals to our services, or to just answer a question, we’re here to be that listening ear, and a friendly voice at the end of the phone line.”

She added: “It is a privilege to be able to work with such a fantastic team, who value our work, and involve and support us in every aspect of our role.

“Working for St John’s Hospice has really opened my eyes to the amazing care that is available to local patients and families.

“To know that we are part of a service, which makes a real difference for local patients and families and provides such high-quality care for them, at the time when they need it most is very rewarding.”