Port Glasgow nurse says she's been ‘blown away' by the work of Ardgowan Hospice
AN INSPIRATIONAL Port Glasgow nurse who has been caring for people for more than 30 years has brought her career back to Inverclyde help people receiving palliative care.
Pauline McIntyre is director of patient and family services at Ardgowan Hospice, and says stepping into the role last year was made 'all the more special' by being able to help the people of Inverclyde - where she began her career.
The 54-year-old told the Tele that she knew nursing was the career for her from as early as 17.
She left school to become a pre-nursing student at the former Ravenscraig Hospital, knowing she wanted to have a job that would help people, such as healthcare or policing.
She was inspired by her grandparents who both served in the armed forces.
Pauline McIntyre joined Ardgowan Hospice in 2024 as the Director of Patient and Family Service (Image: George Munro) Throughout her nursing career, Pauline has worked in acute rehabilitation in Bridge of Weir, helped set up the Larkfield stroke unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, and then took up the position of practice development nurse manager at Erskine Hospital, being drawn to working in the veterans' home through the personal connection.
After working in a variety of roles, including teaching and healthcare governance, Pauline brought her skills back home to the hospice in 2024.
Pauline told the Tele: 'Throughout my career, I have been privileged to work with people who are absolutely caring right down to their core and do their very best for people.
'I have been blessed to have these experiences and worked alongside such amazing teams. Everyone [at Ardgowan Hospice] is absolutely that.
'I have always tried to enhance my career. I have never stood still. The saying 'every day is a learning day' is true, because after all of these years I am still learning new ways to bring the best care to people.
"The hospice has already taught me so much."
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Pauline says she was 'blown away' with the collaborative work that all of the teams within the hospice do, from the transport team to the kitchen staff and the community nurses.
She added: 'Palliative care has always been a passion of mine from day one. No matter what setting you work in, [palliative care] is always involved.
'It feels special to be back working [in Inverclyde].
'It is my community, and it is where I was raised and went to school and completed my training.
'I always remember my nurse lecturer saying to me to 'go and explore the field but bring back your skills', and I feel like that is what I have done.'
When Covid struck, Pauline used her skills on a national level, working alongside pharmacists to develop policies on the repurposing of medicines, as well as helping to rewrite infection prevention and control standards.
Pauline says being involved with nursing throughout the pandemic and on a national level inspired her to become more involved with end-of-life care.
The 54-year-old, who achieved her Queen's Nurse award in 2019, says she will 'never forget her roots' from her days working on the hospice - and says she enjoys being able to interact with the patients at the Nelson Street hospice.
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"Not everybody knows what the hospice is all about," she said. "I certainly didn't know it all, and I have lived here all my days.
'Coming in during my first weeks, and seeing such an age variety, was something not a lot of people think of in a hospice.
'That's because cancer or life-limiting illness touches every age.
"You have to adapt and work in a person-centred way to make sure that person's wishes and care is fulfilled.
"That's what everybody in Ardgowan Hospice strives to do, no matter what position they work in.
'This service is for the people of Inverclyde. It's theirs, and without the donations and support we get from the community we wouldn't be able to do what we do and help so many people.'
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