Hospice News

Patient & Carer Stories

After coming to our Inpatient Unit at the Hospice, Kevin and Nicola were givens omething priceless: time to simply be a family again.

Kevin's wife Nicola was referred to St Peter's after spending four difficult months in hospital. She'd been ill for some time, but eventually, the family were told there were no further treatment options.

Kevin had been supporting Nicola with her care to make her more comfortable. But when the family arrived at our Inpatient Unit at the Hospice, the Nurses told him, 'You don't need to worry about any of that now, you can just be her husband.'

Kevin said in that moment, the caring weight was lifted from his shoulders, allowing room for connection, something he and Nicola hadn't had for months. They had time to be a family again.

Kevin says, "When we arrived at St Peter's, it didn't feel like a clinical ending, it felt like a safe and calming environment for Nicola’s final chapter.

The rooms were light and homely, and the quiet compassion of the Hospice team put us at ease."

Nicola spent seven days on our Inpatient Unit, giving the family precious final moments together where they reminisced about good times. It was the small touches that made all the difference - even the family dog Gruffalo was able to visit. Nicola enjoyed hand massages from our Complementary Therapists, and daily visits from our Spiritual Care team.

Nicola loved snow and despite it being March, one afternoon it unexpectedly snowed. The family moved Nicola's bed over to the window to look across the Hospice Gardens, and built her one last snowman. "It was like the seasons were saying goodbye," said their son, Connor. "The Hospice never felt sad. There was so much positivity despite everything that was happening. It allowed us to be a family."

When reflecting on their time at the Hospice Kevin said, "It's about care, compassion and empowerment. There's a unity amongst everyone there - from the reception to the cafe to the Inpatient Unit. Everything feels warm. The light, the colours, the people. The Hospice enriched Nicola's final week. We'll forever be in debt to St Peter's."

After Nicola died, the care continued for the family. "There was still connection and care there for Connor and me after Nicola died," said Kevin.

He attended a course of bereavement sessions with our Psychological Therapies team and has gone on to speak about grief in his workplace by setting up a grief cafe. "It's important to start talking about death and dying much earlier. You've only got one chance to get it right, and the Hospice did," he said.

More about our Inpatient Unit