Name: Caz Clair
Job Title: Lead Complementary Therapist
What does your role involve?
Referrals are made to the Complementary Therapy team for relaxation and supportive therapies. We contact patients directly to explain the range of services available, after which they can choose from a one-to-one session, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, or a group session. Group sessions are often the most popular, as they give patients the opportunity to support one another and build meaningful friendships. The team also provides care for loved ones, supports the inpatient unit, and offers home visits. In addition, staff relaxation classes are available.
Complementary Therapy can be a valuable introduction to hospice care. Appointments are tailored to each patient and typically run as a six-week course, with a variety of options available throughout their treatment.
I run a chair yoga session on Thursdays, suitable for all patients. These sessions support mobility, incorporate time for relaxation and meditation, and benefit both mental and physical wellbeing.
In my experience, Reflexology is one of the most popular treatments. It involves a gentle massage of the hands or feet, with benefits felt throughout the whole body. It offers patients the chance to switch off and unwind, and is a valuable opportunity for individuals to feel cared for and supported during their appointment.
What led you to become a Complementary Therapist?
When my eldest daughter was a baby, she developed eczema. This was before the days of easily searching online for advice, so I turned to my local library to research gentle, natural ways to care for her skin, as I wanted to avoid using hydrocortisone cream. I discovered a range of oils that could be used as alternatives; they not only soothed her skin but also helped her relax and sleep more comfortably at night.
Inspired by this experience, I enrolled in night classes at Warrington Collegiate to study aromatherapy. I went on to establish a mobile practice, visiting clients in their homes and supporting their wellbeing through complementary therapies.
In 1996, I began working at St. Rocco’s Hospice as its first complementary therapist, initially based in a much smaller room than the wonderful space we have today. When the new hospice building opened in 1999, both the facilities and the therapy team expanded. Demand within the community grew significantly, alongside positive feedback from patients, district nurses, and doctors who recognised the value of complementary therapy for those living with life-limiting illnesses.
I also experienced carpal tunnel syndrome ten years ago, which made delivering hands-on therapies increasingly challenging. During this time, I trained as a yoga instructor, and in 2018, I completed a specialist yoga course in London for cancer patients, which further strengthened my confidence in supporting individuals with life-limiting conditions.
What led you to work at St. Rocco’s?
My brother’s partner was working as a nurse at the hospice, and she helped introduce Complementary Therapy. St. Rocco’s Hospice was among the first hospices to incorporate therapists, which was supported by a doctor, who was particularly enthusiastic about bringing this approach in. As I had already been treating patients in the community, without fully realising it at the time, the transition to working in the hospice felt like a natural progression.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself:
I can do the splits! I also teach yoga outside of my role at St. Rocco’s at a couple of gym’s across Warrington.
To find out more about our hospice services, click here.
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