THE full-time equivalents of two Weldmar nurses attend patients in Bridport, two nurses are based in Weymouth, one is in Dorchester, one in Shaftesbury, one in Sherborne and one in Blandford.

Two full-time nurses are also based at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

Community nurse manager Linda Morrison said: “The team have a very good working relationship and we’re very close-knit really.

“We try and meet regularly for peer support and we try and do things socially occasionally to build on that team work.

“Although the work we do is very individual we often ask our colleagues’ advice and support each other really.”

She added: “Only people who are in it understand the complexity and difficulty of the role.

“I think for any person working in palliative care there’s quite an emotional strain but it’s a very rewarding position to be in.”

Community nurses work Monday to Friday and provide a telephone advice service for professionals and families at weekends.

Patients and families or friends can contact the service to discuss the possibility of referral to the service.

The majority of referrals come via the specialist nurse in the hospital, consultants, GPs and district nurses.