Congratulation to Elizabeth O’Flaherty, a second year nursing student at ACU Banyo Campus, who received the 2022 Order of Malta Palliative Care Award.

On receiving the award, Elizabeth commented;

“Caring for older persons throughout the last stages of their life is an enormous privilege. Nurses play a pivotal role in providing patient-centred, holistic care and this is just as important at end of life as it is during. Quality palliative care nursing honours the patient’s life they have lived through providing comfort, showing dignity and respect, and supporting the family as they journey alongside their loved one towards eternity. I can speak first-hand about the enormously positive impact compassionate and professional palliative care nurses leave on a family when they are faced with the heartbreaking reality of a loved one facing the end of their life. My sincere thanks to the Australian Association of the Sovereign Military, Order of Malta for this honour, and to the NRSG266 teaching staff for bringing into focus the importance of, and principles underpinning, caring for a population group that tends to get overlooked.“