Lynn’s journey with St Margaret’s began in 2003 at the Yeovil In-Patient Unit (IPU), where she joined as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) with just one year of experience in healthcare – having previously worked as a riding instructor. Her passion for patient wellbeing and wound care quickly became evident, and she stepped into the role of Tissue Viability Link HCA, supporting a registered nurse who retired shortly afterwards. Undeterred by the challenge, Lynn’s commitment to improving patients’ quality of life only grew stronger.
After completing a programme equivalent to today’s Nursing Associate qualification, Lynn went on to earn a First-Class Honours degree and was accepted on to the prestigious Tissue Viability Master’s programme in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair.
Her dissertation, “Perceptions of Patients, Relatives & Staff of Wound Care Delivered by Health Health Care Assistants,” evaluated the wound care education for all introduced at the hospice in 2012 – an initiative that has since shaped care delivery across the organisation.
Graduating in 2019, Lynn’s impact continued to expand. Her role grew to encompass both community services and the IPU in Taunton. That same year, she published her first academic paper, gaining national recognition. Over the years, Lynn has authored 13 articles at the request of various organisations and publishers and has presented at major conferences including the European Wound Management Association. Her work reached international acclaim when a practitioner from a hospice in Western Australia shared that Lynn’s published research had been implemented in an Australian Hospice, that has since revolutionised patient care.
Among her many accolades, Lynn was awarded a bronze medal in an international wound care competition – often referred to as the “Olympics” of the field – where St Margaret’s stood out among much larger organisations and national society winners.
Lynn’s work has challenged long-held beliefs, particularly the notion that tissue breakdown is inevitable at the end of life and that the healing of wounds is not achievable. Her expertise in wound aetiology has brought comfort and healing to hundreds of patients, especially those living with malignant wounds, which are often both physically and emotionally traumatic.
Reflecting on her career during her final day at St Margaret’s, Lynn spoke of the humbling goals of her patients – some simply wishing to wear socks again, wear a shirt, or sit comfortably in a chair. Though international recognition was never her aim, Lynn’s dedication has made St Margaret’s a beacon of excellence in wound care, with services and organisations across the country and indeed nationally seeking guidance.
She also acknowledged the hospice’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge equipment and embracing innovations in wound care products. Lynn’s parting advice to her colleagues was to always care for the whole person, build trust through partnership, and never lose sight of compassion.
Lynn Cornish may be retiring, but her legacy will continue to shape the future of wound care at St Margaret’s. She remains an enduring part of our story – and in the hearts of the patients and staff whose lives she has touched.
