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| Liz Atkinson |
 Trained as a nurse. After qualifying Liz went to work in the haematology ward in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where
she was employed as a staff nurse for two years. She enjoyed the work so much that she decided to do an oncology course. She
applied to the Royal Marsden Hospital and was accepted. Whilst there Liz had the opportunity to work in their continuing care
ward and to visit St Christopher’s Hospice. These experiences led her to question active treatments and the extent to which
they were continued. She decided this was an area she would like to pursue – looking after patients whose treatment seemed
futile. Liz returned to Belfast where she heard that a hospice was in the process of being built. Whilst this was happening
she trained as a district nurse and worked for two years in the community. She was also involved in fundraising for the hospice
and when it was finished she applied for a job as Ward Sister in the in-patient unit. After three years the community team
was extended and Liz was appointed to the post of Assistant Nursing Director to manage the service. Ten years later, in 1998,
the Nursing Director retired and Liz applied for the post. She begins by talking about her role as Ward Sister and her involvement
in helping to commission the Northern Ireland Hospice. She moves on to discuss her role as Nursing Director, management of
the Hospice and the relationship between patients and the nursing staff. She then talks about the main problems and challenges
she has faced; the principle changes that have occurred; the reaction of the local community to the presence of the Hospice;
the impact of the religious and political situation in Northern Ireland; the geographical separation of Northern Ireland from
the rest of the UK; and their relationship with the other Hospices in the Province. Liz ends by talking about what she feels
the future holds for the Northern Ireland Hospice and the relationship between the Hospice and other professionals in the
community and hospitals.
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| Interview conducted by Clare Humphreys, 31 July 2000 |
| Interview Duration: 37 minutes |
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