Strathcarron Hospice has been shortlisted in the Student Placement of the Year Award category in the prestigious UK Student Nursing Times Awards 2022. The local Hospice represents Scotland as the only Scottish organisation in the category. 

Nominated by The University of Stirling, the local Hospice provides specialist training and undergraduate placement opportunities. Every student works alongside the multi-disciplinary teams to deliver specialist palliative and end of life care for the people living in the Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.  

Marjory Mackay, Director of Nursing, Strathcarron Hospice says, “Palliative Care is a very special part of our healthcare service and while end of life care is an important component, palliative care is not restricted to time of death. The earlier palliative care is introduced in the trajectory of a person’s progressive, life-limiting illness, the better the quality of life outcomes. The first question we ask patients and their family is, ‘what’s most important to you’ - enabling people not only to die well but to live well and make every moment count.  

As a charity, we help the local people that support us. To be nominated by University of Stirling as an exceptional student placement and to be recognised by The Student Nursing Times, is wonderful”. 

Debbie Waddell, Lecturer in Nursing, University of Stirling said, "We strive to work in partnership with our students and clinical partners and Susan Bateman (Charge Nurse) and her team at Strathcarron Hospice have been instrumental in developing these partnerships. 

From a student placement perspective, those students who have been placed in the Hospice have described it as, 'hands down the best placement they have had' and describe the staff as 'amazing'. Strathcarron Hospice provides an atmosphere of kindness, but demonstrates an area that is steeped in professionalism, empathy, and a drive to provide the gift of dignified death”. 

The Student Nursing Times Awards will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane on Friday 27 May 2022. The results will be announced on the night.