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- Hospice Story - Roy
“To sum up the Hospice, I can only say the way I have been treated is beyond excellent."
Roy, aged 94, is currently receiving respite care on the Inpatient Unit at Thames Hospice. He spoke to us about his incredible life and shared his experiences of the care and support at the Hospice.
Roy has lived in Ascot for 50 years, where he was being cared for at home to manage his life-limiting condition. He said: “Before I came to the Hospice I had four paid carers who supported me at home but I needed specialist palliative care so, with the help of my daughter Jane, I was admitted to Thames Hospice.”
“I definitely wasn’t worried about coming here. With both my wife and daughter having worked in the healthcare sector for many years, I am kind of used to the medical world.”
Roy is deeply proud of his daughter Jane who has been an ICU nurse for over 30 years and his beloved wife Muriel having a long career as a midwife before she passed away 5 years ago. Speaking about their life together, Roy explained: “We were childhood sweethearts; we met at school in East Hagbourne which is where I was born. After school, Muriel became a midwife at Heatherwood Hospital and I joined the police force. We got married in 1955.”
Roy joined Thames Valley Police, formerly the Berkshire Police Force, in 1949, where he enjoyed a 30-year career both as a police officer and a detective. Roy said: “When I retired they gave me 11 commendations for my work in the force. I was very proud of that.”
Speaking about his illness, Roy said: “I initially had heart problems because of my age, so everything has followed on from there really. Mentally I feel good, which I am grateful for, but I just feel unwell.
“They have treated me exceptionally well at the Hospice. I am a bit of a hero worshipper; they do a fantastic job.”
Thames Hospice is working closely with the family to find a suitable place of care when Roy is well enough to be moved so he can continue to receive the 24-hour support he needs. Roy speaks highly about his stay at the Hospice: “My daughter Jane visits me every day, which is nice company as I have had to stay at home since last March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Something none of us would have ever expected to happen!
“To sum up the Hospice, I can only say the way I have been treated is way beyond excellent. Nothing is too much trouble, if you want something you just ask.
“I didn’t have a preconceived idea of what a Hospice is like, but it has exceeded my expectations. I can’t rate any one thing in particular, because it is all up there.”
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