Dorothy is a founder member of the PCPLD Network, and she is always eager to share her experiences and knowledge and likewise learn from the experiences of others. This award recognises not only her inspirational contribution, but also the importance of providing excellent end of life care to people with learning disabilities.

During many years working with people with learning disability Dorothy’s interest in palliative care evolved from caring for those with life limiting and life threatening conditions. She was involved in developing a palliative care unit for people with learning disabilities at Northgate Hospital in 1999. She was also part of the development of a clinical tool to identify and document distress in people with alternative communication, the Disability Distress Assessment Tool (DisDAT) a much-needed tool enabling identification of distress in people with severe communication problems.

Dorothy was appointed to her current role in 2004. The role has three main elements: clinical, developmental and training. These include health facilitation, research, advocacy, coordinator and a support network for others, hence developing a seamless service for people with learning disabilities who have developed life threatening and life limiting illnesses, such as cancers and dementias. She has worked to develop partnerships with others across the health and social care community in order that the palliative care needs of people with learning disabilities can be met.

Dorothy works with professionals in palliative care services to ensure that, wherever the patient is living, whether in their own home, in a small group home, in residential or nursing home they access appropriate interventions, working collaboratively in this way ensures that clients their families and carers have access to services which are tailored to meet their individual needs. She has also contributed to the writing of papers and book chapters.