Murdoch team recognised for outstanding patient experience

17 Mar 2026

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Director Nursing Sarah-Jayne Powell with Footprints Day Coordinator Hospice Services Ellen Ducrow

Among the recipients was the Footprints Day Centre, located in the Murdoch Community Hospice, which received the team award for Patient Experience.

The Footprints Day Centre delivers an innovative model of care that provides holistic support to patients and families at one of life’s most significant stages. Supported by up to 50 dedicated volunteers, the service extends beyond hospice inpatients to individuals living in the community with life-limiting conditions, bereaved caregivers and patients across other wards.

The team fosters wellbeing and connection through companionship, creative arts, hairdressing and complementary therapies including breathwork, massage, meditation, reiki, reflexology and gentle yoga. These therapies help activate the body’s relaxation response, easing pain, breathlessness, stress and anxiety, improving sleep and enhancing the effectiveness of medical treatment.

For Footprints Day Coordinator Hospice Services Ellen Ducrow, the service is defined by the generosity and compassion of its volunteers.

“Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and many have walked alongside loved ones through their end-of-life journey,” Ellen said.

“What is beautifully unique about Footprints is that we ask for nothing in return. In most health care interactions, patients are asked to do something - to move, to answer questions, to take medication. With our therapies, patients simply give consent and receive. Our volunteers have the time to sit, listen and create a safe space where patients and families can share their stories and feel valued and seen.”

Ellen said witnessing the impact of these moments was what made the work so meaningful.

“Every day we see how important this service is. It might be helping someone relax so deeply they have the best sleep they’ve had in weeks, easing the worries of a family member, or simply bringing joy through something small like having their hair done or sharing a ‘wee dram’ from the Happy Hour trolley,” she said.

“It’s about creating comfort, connection and dignity - providing a sense of home when home is no longer an option.”

Receiving the Patient Experience Team Award is a proud moment for the Footprints team.

“This recognition means everything,” Ellen said.

“It celebrates the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and shines a light on how complementary therapies can work alongside traditional health care to truly optimise patient care. Programs like Footprints are rare around the world, and I’m incredibly proud of the difference our team makes for patients and families every day.”

Donations help support Ellen Ducrow and Murdoch Community Hospice’s Footprints Day Centre to provide free of charge practical and emotional support to patients with life limiting illnesses and their families.

Services like this have been made possible thanks to the generosity and compassion of people like you who share a vision of transforming health care for humanity.

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