Terminally ill patient gets dying wish to see the ocean

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic Graeme Cooper looks out at the ocean with the dying patient. Picture: Queensland Ambulance Service

Two Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics serving in Hervey Bay on the east coast of Australia, were transporting the terminally ill patient to the palliative care unit of the local hospital when she expressed a wish to see the beach one last time.

The ambulance staff fulfilled her desire by taking her to look out at the ocean.

The patient died days later.

One of the paramedics Danielle Kellum told reporters of the situation: “I said to the patient: ‘What are you thinking?’.”

“And she said: ‘I’m at peace, everything is right’.”

The ambulance service shared the story on its Facebook page accompanied with a picture of the second paramedic Graeme Cooper standing alongside the patient looking out to the ocean.

It read: “This story told to us by Helen Donaldson the Officer in charge of Hervey Bay is too good not to share.

“A crew were transporting a patient to the palliative care unit of the local Hospital and the patient expressed that she just wished she could be at the beach again. Above and beyond, the crew took a small diversion to the awesome beach at Hervey Bay to give the patient this opportunity – tears were shed and the patient felt very happy.

“Sometimes it is not the drugs/training/skills – sometimes all you need is empathy to make a difference!

“Great work Hervey Bay team Danielle & Graeme the Service is very proud of you.”

It has been shared more than 14,000 times and been liked by more than 28,000 Facebook users.