DEVELOPING OUR OWN
Carly’s Journey from Care Assistant to Staff Nurse At the Ayrshire Hospice, staff development is central to the care we provide. Carly’s journey from Care Assistant to newly qualified Staff Nurse is a powerful example of how investing in our people helps us deliver compassionate, exceptional palliative care.
Celebrating Stacey’s Achievement
and how, in turn, that benefits the patients and families we are here to care for. By investing in our people, we are investing in the future of palliative care.” Carly’s story reminds us that at Ayrshire Hospice, we care not only for patients and families, but for our staff too. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we can continue to strengthen our clinical expertise and ensure compassionate, dignified care for the people of Ayrshire – now and for the future.
same colleagues who have guided and inspired me throughout my journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities the hospice has provided, and I am proud to be able to do what I love, supporting patients and families who require palliative care with compassion and dignity.” Carly’s development reflects the hospice’s commitment to nurturing talent and supporting staff to build fulfilling careers. This approach is central to our People Strategy, which focuses on encouraging growth and providing meaningful
Carly began her career in palliative care in 2017 when she joined the Hospice as a part-time Care Assistant. She quickly discovered a passion for caring for patients and their families, which led her to progress into a full-time role as a Band 3 Senior Care Assistant. Reflecting on her journey, Carly said: “During my time as a senior care assistant, I gained invaluable experience and developed both professionally and personally. The hospice recognised my dedication and supported me to take the next step in my career by going to university to complete my nurse training.” To achieve her dream of becoming a nurse, Carly studied at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), where she completed her BSc in Adult Nursing. Throughout her studies, she continued to work at the hospice as a Care Assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience alongside her academic learning.
We would like to recognise and celebrate the success of our Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, Stacey Kelly, who has recently completed two university modules: Clinical Assessment and
Non-Medical Prescribing. This is a fantastic milestone that reflects her commitment to continually developing her expertise for the benefit of patients, families, and colleagues.
Director of Patient and Family Services, Lynne Hoffin, said: “I am incredibly proud of Stacey and her commitment to continually developing her skills and expertise. Achievements like this not only highlight her dedication to providing the very best care for patients and families, but also strengthen our services overall. By investing in her development, Stacey is helping us to enhance the quality of care we deliver across the community, ensuring that patients receive safe, compassionate, and expert support when they need it most.” Congratulations, Stacey - this is an inspiring achievement that will have a lasting impact on both your role and the services we provide.
By completing these modules, Stacey has gained:
• Enhanced skills in clinical assessment, allowing her to identify issues earlier and provide more tailored care in patients’ homes. • Advanced knowledge of medications and how they work, giving her greater insight into treatment options and enabling her to provide clear, evidence-based advice to patients, families, GPs, and District Nurses. • Greater confidence in supporting complex decisions, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time. This advanced training further strengthens Stacey’s vital role in the community, where she provides expert advice and compassionate support every day. We are also proud to share that two of Stacey’s colleagues have now embarked on the Clinical Assessment module, continuing the team’s journey to build knowledge and skills that will benefit the people we care for and further develop our community service.
development opportunities. It also aligns with our Clinical
Strategy, ensuring our team has the knowledge and skills to deliver our specialist care. Reflecting on Carly’s achievement, Lynne Hoffin, Director of Patient and Family Services at Ayrshire Hospice, said: “I am so proud of Carly and the journey she has taken from care assistant to staff nurse. She has shown such commitment and passion, and she truly embodies the values of Ayrshire Hospice. Carly’s story is a wonderful example of how we support and encourage our staff to achieve their goals,
After graduating, Carly shared:
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have returned to the hospice as a staff nurse, now working alongside the
March 2026 | EDITION 41
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