NIGHTINGALE House Hospice has welcomed a new doctor, who has made the 5,000-mile journey from Brazil to join their dedicated team in providing exceptional palliative care.

Dr Fernanda Spaco, who arrived in the UK in July, brings with her a wealth of experience in family medicine and elderly care, coupled with fluency in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Her journey into palliative care began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she was called to work in intensive care. It was here that she first encountered palliative care, guided by the expertise of a specialist consultant. This experience ignited a profound passion for the field, leading her to write her thesis on this subject.

Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road WrexhamNightingale House Hospice, Chester Road Wrexham (Image: Linkedin)

Dr Fernanda said: “I started thinking this could be something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I really loved it!”

The decision to move to the UK was part of a long-term plan for Dr Fernanda and her husband, spanning over three years.

Recalling her job search, she expressed her surprise at securing a position at Nightingale House Hospice, one of the first places she applied to. She said: “I was so shocked when I found out I got the job.”

Dr Fernanda and her husband recently made North Wales their new home. After settling in, they returned to Brazil to fetch their two beloved dogs. It wasn’t an easy journey, but she is relieved that they are now comfortably settled into their new Welsh life. She said: “Wales has beautiful countryside.”

Since her arrival, Dr Fernanda has been struck by the warm and welcoming environment at Nightingale House.

Dr Fernanda added: “I have never been so welcomed to a job before! Everyone has been asking me if I’m okay and how I am settling in. One of the best things has been getting to know people who are really passionate about their jobs. Everyone really enjoys being here, and they are driven by it.”

Dr Fernanda is particularly inspired by the close relationships the hospice staff build with patients, seeing this as a cornerstone of providing high-quality care.

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She continues: “The time you spend here helps you get to know the patients, connect with them, and learn their history and background, which all contribute to the level of care we can provide.”

Already, Dr Fernanda feels at home within the hospice community.

She said her favourite part of her new role is spending time with the patients and getting to work with an incredible team.

Explaining how pleased the Wrexham hospice is to welcome Dr Fernanda, Medical Director, Melissa Everett said: “Nightingale House Hospice is proud to have Dr Fernanda as part of our team, and we look forward to the invaluable contributions she will make in enhancing the care and support provided to our patients.”