Esther Ruth Beck was formerly a staff nurse on acute medical wards in Whitabbey Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital, as well as a former manager of a 65 bed care home. She has completed her Specialist Nursing Practice in Palliative Care and her Specialist Nursing Practice in Dementia Care and is currently undertaking her PhD in End of Life Care for People with Dementia at the University of Ulster. She is a Member of the European Academy of Nursing Scientists and a Member of the Irish Association of Palliative Care.