Dr Richard Lamerton specialises in caring for cancer patients at the Hospice of the Valleys in Tredegar.

Dr Lamerton could not find a British locum

He searched in Britain to find a locum doctor to work for him while he had a much-needed summer holiday, but a desperate shortage of palliative care staff meant he drew a blank.

It took a retired doctor from Canada to volunteer for the job before Dr Lamerton could have his break.

Dr Joyce Holland flew in from Vancouver in western Canada and is now carrying out essential palliative care among patients in Dr Lamerton's practice.

He found her after her name came out of a database of palliative care locums held in a St Christopher's hospice in London.

This is not the first time Dr Holland has come to Britain to provide relief care, but it is the first experience Hospice of the Valleys has had with an overseas practitioner.

Part of the problem is that people are not interested in qualifying for palliative care - it is not seen as very sexy.

Andrew Richards, hospice manager

"She really was the only person available here this time because palliative care is growing rapidly.

"People realise they need a different kind of care when they are seriously ill," Dr Lamerton said.

Dr Holland received a warm welcome from staff and patients at the practice.

Andrew Richards, general manager at the south Wales practice, said: "Dr Lamerton has great difficulty in finding a replacement for holidays - locums are very scarce.

"Part of the problem is that people are not interested in qualifying for palliative care - it is not seen as very sexy.

"As a result he often has to take very short holidays. Fortunately, his wife is very understanding.

"He is under a lot of strain because it is not easy looking after patients with a terminal illness. And if he is not able to take a break it will have an impact on his work."

"Dr Lamerton has often spoken of the difficulty of finding a temporary replacement for holidays and feels it reflects the low status of palliative care in the NHS."

Challenge

Hospice patient Enid Barton said she was surprised a doctor had come all the way from Canada to take the job.

However she added: "If she is interested in this kind of work, which obviously she is, then I think it would be great experience for her."

Dr Holland said she was looking forward to the challenge of her temporary job.

She is hoping to set up a similar practice when she returns to Canada.

Dr Lamerton founded the hospice 17 years ago, and it now employs a team of six palliative care nurses, bereavement councillors and therapists.