“My year at Galway Hospice has been a truly transformative experience. As a final-year specialist registrar, I’ve had the privilege of working across the inpatient unit, the community, and Day Care. It has been a year of immense learning and deep impact.
I’ve developed clinical expertise, of course, but what I’ll carry with me is how the values of Galway Hospice are lived out every single day by staff and volunteers. I’ve seen clinical excellence combined with profound compassion — not just for patients, but for their families as well. That’s what makes this place extraordinary.”
“I chose palliative care about seven years ago. At first, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, but when I trained in psychiatry as an intern, I missed medicine. Later, while working in oncology, I was introduced to palliative care — and it felt like the perfect blend of what I loved about both: medicine and psychosocial care.
Palliative medicine is about holistic care — physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual — for people with life-limiting illness and for the people they love. It’s transformative.”
“If I had to explain palliative care to someone unfamiliar with it, I’d say it’s a specialty for people with advanced, progressive, life-limiting illness. We care for the person — and the family, as they define it — focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
We manage symptoms like pain, nausea, or breathlessness, and we support the emotional and spiritual well-being of everyone involved. The patient is at the centre, but we always see them within the context of their loved ones.”
“Galway Hospice is a place where magic truly happens. Every single day, I’ve seen staff and volunteers go out of their way to create moments of beauty and tenderness in people’s lives — even during the most difficult times.
One of the most remarkable things here is the team. From reception and catering to our multidisciplinary colleagues — social workers, physios, pastoral care, occupational therapy, art therapy, our brilliant nurses, and fellow doctors — everyone works together with such warmth, energy, and shared purpose.
It’s a joy to be part of. I’ll always remember that when I walk through the door in the morning, I’m greeted with a smile. That matters. I’ve learned so much — from managing complex cases to simply being human in the hardest moments. This team will always stay with me.”
“I truly believe that every moment matters. And this place — Galway Hospice — lives by that every day. The care, the teamwork, the values… it’s all been incredible.”
Host a Coffee Morning or support your local event! Sign up today at www.galwayhospice.ie/coffee Venue Date Time Abbeyknockmoy O’Donohues Spar…
We invite you to join us for the Galway Hospice Multidenominational Remembrance Service, taking place in St. Oliver Plunkett’s Church…
Frances has known palliative care for many years through her family — and now through her own journey. In this…
