Delivery of compassionate care has been described as beginning with an “authentic bond between a nurse and a patient” (Burnell, 2009 p.320) and differs from care itself, which could be viewed as simply completing a task as part of the job. “Compassion relates to the quality of the relationship between the nurse and the patient, incorporating emotional connection and interpersonal skills” (Ballantyne, 2013 p.61). The delivery of compassionate care, in the opinion of the author, is helped by the therapeutic relationship that can exist between the client and the nurse. According to the Health Service Executive (2017), this can be seen as a bond that empowers the patient and promotes well being and recovery. With this relationship, the patient and nurse find common ground and a respect for one another, which can aid in the recovery process and the delivery of dignified compassionate care. This type of holistic care according to the views of Randers and Mattiasson (2004) may aid in the support of patients and help to protect their autonomy and integrity and by extension their