4 Ways To Give Great Care
Written by Ruth Clemence
I have had cancer twice. Once as a 19 year-old university student, and then 10 years later as a wife and mother of two young children. Receiving compassionate care at my most vulnerable moments made all the difference to my experience.
In between both of my diagnoses, I spent time working as an auxiliary nurse for cancer patients. I’ve been on both sides of the fence of care. Conversations with colleagues and patients alike has given me insight into seeing the thread of God’s kindness and mercy in the hardest situations.
Here are four examples from my experience on what great care can look like:
Bring a personal touch through communication.
Get to know those you care for and their families. A healthcare assistant checked in to see how I was doing on the ward. Stopping for a chat can sometimes help the person being cared for feel more human. It can be isolating being away from family and friends. Remember this principle outside of work too. Care packages, cards, phone calls, meals, and general support for someone walking through suffering is a beautiful thing.
Don’t underestimate the importance of ordinary tasks.
Freshly made bed sheets, medication that eases symptoms, a cup of tea or coffee delivered with a smile — it can make all the difference. You may have changed no end of bedding. But you know the joy of slipping into fresh, crisp linen at the end of a shift. Those in your care will no doubt be blessed by it too. I was so thankful for anti-sickness medication and pain relief to get through the harder moments. Every drug round you do is making a difference. A personal highlight in hospital for me was receiving snacks and drinks foraged by staff at all hours!
Really listen to the person in front of you.
When I first raised concerns that I thought cancer had returned, it was dismissed — twice. I was insistent on a second opinion. Thank goodness for the GP who took my concerns seriously and got the ball rolling. Nobody likes to be ignored. Especially when it concerns their health. Hopefully those near misses are rare.
During treatment, I was anxious about having high dose chemotherapy. It would wipe out my immune system at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. My immunity would be zero, I would be isolated in hospital for two weeks with no visitors, and likely be really sick from side effects.
I shared my anxiety with a nurse to which she replied flatly “why?” as if it was no big deal. It could have been a harmless remark. But that comment was not helpful for me. She may have treated hundreds of patients. This was my first time and I was frightened. Her response stuck with me.
Listen to those in your care. If they are scared, listen well, offer comfort, and remember that they are on their own individual journey.
Remember God’s compassion.
We are never out of the loving kindness, mercy and watchful eye of our heavenly Father. He sees the depths of our heart, knows our greatest concerns, and is sovereign over everything. We are able to show deep compassion in our care for others because Jesus is our compassionate, gracious Saviour. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Working in cancer care, I was able to share my faith to staff and patients (where appropriate) of God’s goodness in my suffering. I will be forever grateful to the doctors and nurses I have journeyed with who prayed for me. I’ll never forget the colleagues and patients I have drawn alongside to witness Christ's love in their trials and doubts.
The Holy Spirit is at work in our conversations and we should follow His leading in obedience. We serve an amazing God who cares for us always, and is with us as we care for others, for His glory.