Maria’s impact on the prison healthcare system has been nothing short of transformative. Drawing on her deep experience in hospice care, she has revolutionised how the prison service supports inmates with life-limiting illnesses. Her passion, drive, and tireless commitment to improving palliative care within prisons have left a lasting legacy, ensuring incarcerated individuals receive the dignity and care they deserve in their final days.
Her passion, dedication, and tireless efforts have introduced much-needed improvements to palliative care within prisons, leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit incarcerated individuals for years to come. This exceptional commitment was recognised recently when Maria won The Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing category at the Palliative Care Awards, a testament to her transformative impact and the high regard in which her work is held within the field.
Maria’s journey into palliative care started in 1991, driven by a deeply personal experience. When her grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer, structured palliative care was virtually non-existent. Maria, determined to provide the support he needed, spent nine months caring for him around the clock—sleeping on a mattress beside him every night while working as a nurse during the day. Witnessing his suffering firsthand ignited her mission to ensure that no one else would have to endure such pain without proper care.
After her grandfather passed, Maria’s career took her to Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, where she rose to a Band 7 Sister position, honing her skills in end-of-life care. Then, in an unexpected twist, a friend at HMP Littlehey introduced her to the world of prison healthcare. Maria was intrigued by the unique challenges and potential impact she could have, and since stepping into this new environment, she hasn’t looked back.
Reflecting on her recent win at The Palliative Care Awards, Maria said, “This victory wasn’t mine alone but a shared achievement with the healthcare team at HMP Littlehey. We’re a close-knit family, supporting each other in our mission to provide exceptional care for our patients.” That sense of teamwork and dedication is what fuels her passion for the work. “Caring for patients at the end of their lives is the most rewarding and privileged role you could possibly be in,” she shared.
Over the years, Maria has been the driving force behind many improvements in prison palliative care. She brought the hospice model into the prison system, introducing Advanced Care Plans and helping create the “Last Days of Life Care Plan.” She was also a key contributor to the “Dying Well in Custody Charter,” presenting her work back to Macmillan in Manchester. Maria’s innovative spirit didn’t stop there—she developed an early identification tool to help recognise inmates in their last 12 months of life, allowing for better care planning and support.
Beyond her role at HMP Littlehey, Maria runs the Crayfish Cancer Support Group for incarcerated patients and travels nationwide, presenting at conferences alongside Dr Annelise Matthews from Edinburgh University. Since 2021, she has focused exclusively on her role as a Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cambridgeshire secured services, a position she describes as the most fulfilling of her career. Her contributions were further recognised with the prestigious Queen’s Nurse Award for her work in this field.
Maria’s passion for her work is undeniable. She believes she has “the best job in the world,” as she guides her patients from diagnosis to death, helping them choose where they wish to spend their final days—whether in prison, hospital, or hospice. For Maria, prison healthcare isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. It’s a deeply personal and professionally rewarding journey, allowing her to care for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, offering them dignity, compassion, and peace in their final moments.
@NHFTNHS
