This week is National Palliative Care Week, a time to recognise the work of Cabrini’s palliative care teams who bring comfort, peace and healing, and above all compassion.

Here are two wonderful examples of our care:

In our specialist palliative care ward, music and compassion are used every day to support patients and families as they navigate end of life. Wendy Snook, Harp Therapist, is one of 4 South Nurse Unit Manager Nicola Lowrie’s important team members.

“I learned pretty early on when I started playing the harp that there’s something about the sound of the harp that affects our bodies in a positive way for our wellbeing and our healing,” Wendy, a cancer survivor herself, said. “It’s a great privilege to be with patients and families during difficult times.”

Wendy’s presence on the ward is a true gift – one supported by a kind Cabrini
Foundation donor – but she is just one of the many people who contributes to this extraordinary care.

So too is Pastoral Practitioner Alexandra Wilde, who last week gave a patient the “best day” of her life.

“The family of a terminally ill patient requested a living wake for their mother, Evelyn, who was expected to pass away soon,” Alexandra said.

“Within 24 hours, with the support of a number of people from around Cabrini, we were able to get everything organised and had about 40 people turn up to celebrate
Evelyn’s life, which she told me was the best day of her life.

“Evelyn died the next day with her family at her bedside, at peace.”