A Trinity Hospice palliative care nurse has retired after spending 27 years tending to terminally-ill patients’ needs.

Del Woodburn began working at the hospice in 1985, when she transferred from a hospital after becoming frustrated that she did not have enough time to spend with terminally-ill patients.

Following a career spanning four decades she hung up her apron for the last time last week.

Jenny Baynham, head of patient care at Trinity, paid tribute to Mrs Woodburn saying: “Del has seen Trinity build a new state-of-the-art inpatient centre in which patients are cared for in private en-suite rooms.

"She has also seen Trinity’s community team grow so they can provide care in patients’ own homes, and seen day services expand to offer counselling, physiotherapy and practical welfare advice.

“But one thing that has remained the same is Del’s bond with her patients.”