Cicely Saunders

British nurse, social worker, physician and writer

Dame Cicely Mary Strode Saunders (22 June 1918 – 14 July 2005) was a British nurse, social worker, physician, and writer. She is best known for her role in the hospice movement, which focuses on palliative care for the terminally ill. Saunders founded St Christopher's Hospice in London, the first modern hospice, which became a model for similar institutions worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Cicely Saunders was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England. She attended Roedean School and later studied at St Anne's College, Oxford, where she initially pursued a degree in philosophy, politics and economics. However, she left Oxford to train as a nurse at Nightingale School of Nursing at St Thomas' Hospital in London.

Career

After qualifying as a nurse in 1944, Saunders worked at various hospitals. She later trained as a medical social worker at the London School of Economics. Her interest in palliative care began when she met a terminally ill patient, David Tasma, who inspired her to improve care for the dying.

Saunders returned to medical school and qualified as a physician in 1957. She worked at St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney, where she developed her ideas on pain management and holistic care. In 1967, she founded St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, London, which combined clinical care, teaching, and research.

Contributions to Palliative Care

Saunders introduced the concept of "total pain," which includes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual distress. She advocated for the use of opioids and other medications to manage pain effectively. Her work emphasized the importance of compassionate care and the dignity of patients.

Awards and Recognition

Cicely Saunders received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to medicine and palliative care. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1980 and received the Order of Merit in 1989. She was also awarded honorary degrees from several universities.

Legacy

Saunders' work has had a profound impact on the care of the terminally ill. The principles she established at St Christopher's Hospice have been adopted by hospices and palliative care programs worldwide. Her writings and teachings continue to influence the field of palliative care.

Personal Life

Cicely Saunders married Marian Bohusz-Szyszko, a Polish artist, in 1980. She continued to work and advocate for palliative care until her death in 2005.

See Also

• Palliative care
• Hospice care
• St Christopher's Hospice
• Pain management

External Links

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