Cicely Saunders: The Founder of the Modern Hospice Movement

Description

Cicely Saunders was, and remains, a remarkable woman. As St. Christopher’s Hospice themselves state, Through her single-minded vision, and the clinical practice and dissemination of her work through St Christopher’s teaching and outreach, Dame Cicely revolutionised the way in which society cares for the ill, the dying and the bereaved.

Dame Cicely recognised the inadequacy of the care of the dying that was offered in hospitals. So often, patients and families were told that “there was nothing more that could be done” a statement that Cicely refused to accept. Throughout her time at St Christopher’s her watchword was “there is so much more to be done.”

Dame Cicely had initially thought of creating an Anglican religious community but broadened her vision so that St Christopher’s became a place that welcomed staff and patients of any faith or none.  

However, Cicely’s strong Christian faith was a fundamental factor in her vision to establish her own home for the dying and remained an anchor throughout her life.

This wonderful book tells her life story and her philosophy in her work. Involved with the care of patients with terminal illness since 1948, Saunders lectured widely on this subject, wrote many articles and contributed to numerous books. The Lancet states that this biography ‘… describes the philosophy of modern hospice care better than any other book yet published. A skillfully balanced, perceptive and sensitive picture of a great woman of our time.’

Author – Shirley du Boulay. Updated with additional chapters by Marianne Rankin

Format – Paperback

Publisher – SPCK

Pub date – 1984 by Hodder & Stoughton. Updated edition 2007

ISBN – 9780281058891

Pages – 282

Weight – 385g

Dimensions – 138mm x 217mm