A legacy of extraordinary care: from nursing placement to deputy director

Back in 2004, Dave stepped into Demelza under the mentorship of Katie Stevens, Demelza’s Director of Clinical Services, who at the time was a senior palliative care nurse. His two-week placement focused on life-limiting conditions, observing nurses, supporting with personal care, understanding shift management and witnessing how Demelza extends its reach into the wider community.

One standout memory from the placement was witnessing the magic of Demelza’s hydro pool:

“Seeing the joy it brought to the children and how the hydro pool can improve mobility was really great to witness,” said Dave.

That early experience confirmed Dave’s decision to specialise in paediatric nursing.

“I was a student and had no real idea of the pathway my training would take me down, but the placement at Demelza cemented my decision to specialise in paediatric nursing. I experienced a real passion at Demelza when I was a student and I still see that passion today,” he said.

Qualifying as a nurse stands as one of Dave’s proudest achievements, but this journey was not straightforward:

 “I did not excel at school and left with no real direction. I went to art college, worked in hospitality and then decided to take time out to think about a career. It was after travelling and working in care in Australia and at home, that I realised care was for me. My parents will admit they did not think I would last a term at university!” said Dave.

Dave’s connection to Demelza was present in later years when he worked alongside the teams to support the introduction of long-term ventilation services at the Kent and South East London sites. He provided training on safe transfers and then supported with mandatory education for the next five years.

The landscape of paediatric hospice nursing has evolved dramatically since Dave’s student days. Advances in medical technology means more children with complex conditions now live well into adulthood. At Demelza, the need for continual upskilling, adherence to the latest clinical guidance and a commitment to service innovation is something Dave believes is key to ensure teams are equipped to meet ever-changing needs.

Returning to Demelza as Deputy Director of Nursing was a full circle moment. The warmth and dedication he first encountered has only grown stronger:

“To be involved with a team striving for excellence, the commitment, dedication and passion is really impressive. The teams across all three sites go the extra mile to ensure the children and families are supported during specialised short breaks, end of life care and bereavement. Demelza really does demonstrate care at the highest level,” said Dave.

To inspire the next generation and continue this legacy of extraordinary care, Dave and his team have forged partnerships with local universities to expand student placements. Palliative care remains under-represented in nursing degrees, so opening more placements is key to educating future nurses about the vital role of children’s hospices. Every Demelza site welcomes students with open arms, sharing expertise and fostering hands-on learning experiences that ignite a lifelong passion.

If he could speak to his student-self, Dave would say:

“Embrace discomfort. Growth happens when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.” He hopes his legacy at Demelza will be defined by strong collaboration across all departments and unwavering clinical excellence.