As we start 2026, we’d like to celebrate the amazing people who work at the Hospice, and whose expertise and kindness shines through as they care for people with life-limiting illnesses.

We caught up with Bryony, one of our specialty doctors, to find out more about her role and what hospice care means to her.

When did you join and what is your role at St Wilfrid’s?

I joined St Wilfrid’s in 2023, and am one of five specialty doctors working on the Ward and out in the community. My time is divided between seeing patients on the Ward and seeing people in their own homes with the support of our nursing and therapy teams. We look at what patients might need to help with their symptoms and if they are approaching end-of-life, where they want to be when this happens – making sure they’re comfortable if they want to stay at home.

Can you tell us more about what you do day to day?

I typically spend two days out in the community and two days on the Ward, which has 14 beds. I am also part of a weekend and out-of-hours rota, which is crucial in being able to maintain care 24 hours a day. A typical ward day will involve a morning handover meeting followed by the day reviewing the patients we are caring for. If there is a new admission coming into the Hospice, we will meet with them and spend time working out how best to help them. We are fortunate that we have time to be able to do this, which is what sets our care apart. We listen to patients about what would make their time with us as good as it can be. It’s about what matters to them. That’s what I love about this area of medicine. It’s all about the person and their loved ones.

Is that why you chose to work in hospice care?

Yes. I qualified as a GP in 2022, however, now I only work in palliative care having been fortunate enough to be able to take a position at St Wilfrid’s. I have always found this area of medicine interesting and feel grateful there is always opportunity for learning, particularly about the medicines we can use. The work is so rewarding. I feel lucky to have found a job that matches my values. I care so much about what we do. Helping people to have the last years, months and days living as peacefully and happy as possible is important to me. It’s all about the person, I love getting to know people and their families. 

I was quite anxious about going into a hospice at the start, but it is such a peaceful and light environment – and when I walked in on my first day, I felt a sense of calm, and it just felt like the right place to be. It’s not doom and gloom as some people think it might be. It’s a place to live your life. People have good quality time when they are being cared for by us.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like the fact that our care is based on the person’s individual needs and that I can build rapport with patients, getting the opportunity to meet them through their whole journey.

Also, I have such great colleagues, it feels like a family on the Ward, which you need as the work can take its toll emotionally. We work daily with nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the Family Support Team to tailor our care – all working together to do the best we can for patients and their loved ones. We will review people each day and sometimes that means helping people to go back home and out in the community. We are also there if needed after death for families and continue our support when a person is no longer in our care.

I love my job, but it can be busy and intense at times, so it’s important for me to find ways to relax outside of work and strike the right work-life balance.

What do you do outside of work to relax?

To relax, I enjoy spending time with my family in Brighton and also my friends. I love being outside – walking or running. Exercise is very important for my mental health. It can be quite an emotionally intense day, so it’s good to get out for fresh air afterwards. I enjoy my home comforts, cooking and gardening.  I also enjoy music and I think it’s important both for me and some of our patients. I like to ask patients about their music tastes and what they enjoy listening to. It’s always lovely walking into a room on the Ward and seeing a patient and their family listening to music that they all enjoy. It’s so therapeutic.

There are also ways to relax inside work. We have beautiful gardens to look out at or sit in, and the building and Ward is bright, uplifting and calm. We ensure it’s like this for our patients, but we too benefit from being in such a lovely environment. 

This month we are celebrating people like you, Bryony. I understand that you have also been celebrating recently?

Yes, I got married on 3rd January! My husband and I met in 2024, got engaged last summer and decided to get married at the start of this year. He is a lovely, kind and understanding person. He gets what I do and how important my job is to me and for the people I care for.