Cicely Saunders

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Cicely Saunders (22 June 1918 – 14 July 2005) was a pioneering English nurse, social worker, and physician. Recognized as the founder of the modern hospice movement, Saunders dedicated her life to improving the care of the dying and the bereavement process for those left behind. Her work has had a profound impact on the global understanding and management of palliative care.

Early Life and Education

Cicely Saunders was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England. She began her career in healthcare as a nurse at Nightingale School of Nursing at St Thomas' Hospital in London during World War II. However, a back injury forced her to change her career path. She then trained as a social worker and subsequently returned to St Thomas' to study medicine, qualifying as a doctor in 1957 from St Thomas' Hospital Medical School.

Career and Contributions

Saunders' interest in palliative care began in 1948 when she met David Tasma, a dying Polish Holocaust survivor. His plight and their conversations about end-of-life care inspired her to develop a new approach to palliative care. Saunders emphasized the importance of pain management, psychological support, and spiritual care in the treatment of terminally ill patients.

In 1967, Saunders founded St Christopher's Hospice in London, the first modern hospice that integrated teaching and clinical research into the care of the dying. St Christopher's became a model for hospices worldwide, combining pain and symptom control with holistic care that addressed the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients.

Saunders also played a crucial role in the development of the field of palliative medicine. She introduced the concept of "total pain," which includes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, and advocated for the use of morphine to control physical pain in terminally ill patients.

Legacy

Cicely Saunders' work revolutionized the way society cares for the terminally ill and their families. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions, including being appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1980. Saunders' approach to palliative care has been adopted worldwide, and she is remembered as a compassionate caregiver and a visionary in the field of medicine.

Selected Publications

Saunders published extensively on the subject of pallity care. Some of her notable works include:

• Care of the Dying (1959)
• The Management of Terminal Disease (1978)
• Living with Dying: The Management of Terminal Disease (1983)

Death

Cicely Saunders passed away on 14 July 2005 at St Christopher's Hospice, the institution she founded and dedicated her life to. Her legacy continues to influence palliative care practices and policies around the world.

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