Professor Ilora Finley
Prof Baroness Finlay of LLandaff
‘Founder of Holm Towers palliative care hospice’
‘I could never bear to see suffering, always felt that I had to do something about it. That is why I went into medicine and that sense of responsibility to others has driven my working life. We live in a world of increasing demands, selfish for our wishes to be met and yet less willing to take responsibility for our failures. All too often we look for something or someone to blame.
In healthcare this has driven a burgeoning of guidelines, protocols etc. but at the end of the day the key standard must be "Is it good enough for your mum (or other nearest and dearest)?" And if not, then it is not good enough for anyone else.
When we are ill we want to know that the person looking after us really cares. We want to know they recognise our human frailty, our humanity, our fears and concerns. We want to know they will secure the best possible care for us - but realistically we all know there are no magic bullets or miracle cures.
Wales has been a wonderful country in which to bring about change in care of the dying because there is a deep sense of community, of connectedness. It has always been clear that if we can make care of the dying the best in the world, then others will learn from us; it is like the ripples on a pond. That is now finally happening, our caring society is invaluable; it is to be treasured, nurtured and built on as it forms the foundation for our future.’
Specifications
- Medium: Graphite on paper.
- Dimensions: Original 50cm x 40cm. Prints including mount 40cm x 30cm.