I recently spent two weeks at the hospice for pain and medication management after one of several admittances to hospital due to my stage four lung problem.
Like many people, when my specialist suggested trying palliative care at the hospice my first thoughts were that I was in my final few weeks of life. I quickly learnt however, that the hospice is about much more than helping people through their final journey and more about supporting both the patient and the family with a large range of activities and experienced and dedicated staff.
The hospice takes a holistic approach to caring and supporting with both physical and practical sessions as well as pain and medication management to help the patient feel as well as they possibly can under the circumstances.
When I arrived at the inpatient unit I was really impressed at the facilities available. The rooms were modern with all the amenities of a good hotel! The staff were fantastic and welcoming, nothing was too much trouble. I was lucky with the U.K. weather and was able to enjoy the wonderful gardens which were peaceful and tranquil where I could sit and reflect in the sunshine.
The hospice is about quality of life and are always looking at innovative ways of improving this for individuals with physi­ot­he­rapies, group exercises for example.
The hospice has a relaxing atmosphere were staff have the time to talk and discuss your concerns. The doctors will also be as open and honest with you as you wish and not try to hide or keep information from you if asked (obviously they do not have a crystal ball).
As a result of my stay at the hospice I was able to get well enough to travel once more abroad which before hand I honestly didn't think I would do again. We have been able to take the whole family to Spain for a great holiday and created lots of wonderful memories, none of which would have been possible without the support of the hospice and community nurses.
Although I know my life expectancy is not good I no longer have any fear of what is to come, the hospice nurses have even made arrangements for me to donate to the organ donation scheme which is something I would encourage everyone to consider as it could completely change someone's life for the better. Thank you again to everyone who looked after me from the doctors to the volunteers and for making me laugh more than I have in a long time!

John Upton

My mum first went into the hospice for respite care in April 2015 and due to the fantastic care she received from the Doctors & nursing staff was able to return home. She was then re-admitted in July 2015 for pain management and again due to the intensive care she has received is now able to be transferred into a local Nursing home. My family cannot thank the Hospice enough for their help during this very emotional time in all our lives but especially for the care they have given to mum.She is no longer able to return home due to the need for 24hr care, the hospice again have been an amazing help in supporting our family through the transfer to a nursing home..We need to change the perception that a Hospice is somewhere people go to die, they have twice been able to give my mum the chance to prolong her life.I cannot put into words how grateful we all are.I cannot thank them enough for all their support.

I would just like to add to all the positive comments previously left. My 53 year old sister Caroline was admitted just before Christmas 2014. We had visited some weeks before and it was a very positive atmosphere, environment and the staff supportive. The staff were fantastic once her condition worsened and informative and supportive. Sadly she lost he fight for life mid January and as much as we really hurt, her passing was helped immensely by understanding and compassionate staff. Our heartfelt thanks, at a difficult time in all our lives.

my partner john go's in2 the hospice 2morrow for medication review n reading the comments etc i know he will b in good safe hands i just pray with all my heart he comes home x

My dad first went into the hospice for pain management but when it came the time to come home, he just wasn't strong enough.
Before he become too ill he commented that going into the hospice was the best thing he had done. It allowed my mum to become his wife again rather than his carer.
I cannot sing the praises of ALL the staff at the hospice highly enough. Nothing was ever too much trouble and his stay allowed him to die pain free and with dignity.
The word "hospice" is closely associated with dying and many people, like my dad, are reluctant to stay as it involves some acceptance of their condition and what the future holds. If he was here now he would tell you not to be afraid, it is a wonderful place and not somewhere to fear.

My son died at the hospice aged 19 on 3rd January 2010,the hospice to my son was his second home , all staff, doctors where fantastic, he was treated with the utmost respect and the cook's food in his words was unbelievable.

Thanks to all of you! !!

Dan's mum XX

My mother recently passed away in the hospice. The nursing and staff and the doctors are out of this world. Nothing is too much trouble for them. The kindness shown to my mother and ourselves was fantastic. It is some comfort to know that my mother passed away in the place where she wanted to be and that the care she received surpassed all our expectations. The hospice is a wonderful place with wonderful staff. There are not sufficient words in the English vocabulary to describe how wonderful they all are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did for my mother and my sisters in helping my mother to pass away in a peaceful and dignified way.

My wife Josie was admitted into the hospice on the 3rd April 2014 after a suggestion by a hospice clinical nurse specialist, to offer some respite and pain control which I was finding difficult to administer at home. We hoped to return home after a short stay, to commence chemo,however this was not to be and Josie passed away on the 16th April with me at her side. She passed away peacefully and pain free due to the care and kindness given by all the staff and volunteers to whom I will be eternally grateful.
I also wish to thank the staff and volunteers for the kindness and compassion shown to Josie's sisters, my sister and friends who visited during Josie's stay in the Hospice.

Sadly my husband Ken passed away on 8th Aplril 2013
At first he was reluctant to be admitted but overcame his fears once he had been shown around the Hospice and had spoken to some of the staff, he was admitted initially for 2 weeks to try to get his pain under control, however he was not responded to chemotherapy and finally succumbed to overwhelming infection. The care my husband received whilst in the Hospice was absolutely first class and could not have been any better if we had been paying £10,000 a week, not only did the staff care for Ken they cared for our family as well and we will be forever grateful. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts and may you continue to give your love to those who you care for in the future,.

Amazing,caring people. Made my sister, lorraine Towers passing so peaceful. Lots of fund raising needed to keep this fantastic place going.