Ipswich family praises St Elizabeth Hospice for Christmas care

John Hunt was cared for last Christmas at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich

A family has thanked a hospice for the care it provided to a member last Christmas.

John Hunt, from Ipswich, passed away on Christmas Day 2022 following a short stay as an inpatient at St Elizabeth Hospice, based in the town.

With no visiting restrictions, his family were able to spend their last moments together.

Mr Hunt's wife Linda said they could "never thank them enough for the support and love they gave to us".

The hospice held two Christmas parties for patients, their families and friends last year

Mr Hunt was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer in June 2022 and after five sessions of chemotherapy was told he was terminally sick four months later.

"He always maintained that when his time came he would want to be in the hospice," said Mrs Hunt.

The inpatient ward provided Mrs Hunt with a guest bed next to her husband, so they could spend the festive period with each other.

"Rather than caring for him, we were sharing time together and we were able to talk about our life together," she added.

Every Christmas, St Elizabeth Hospice provides care to almost 1,200 patients and their families living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses across east Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

The community team nurses and ward staff help patients celebrate Christmas

The hospice's head of fundraising, Pauline Donkin, explained how the team brought festive cheer to all patients.

"We have a Christmas party, we do activities, the hospice choir come in to sing and Santa comes - so all the nice things that go with Christmas," she said.

She added that on Christmas Day, nurses delivered presents to patients donated by local companies, and its advice phonelines were open 24 hours.

"Everybody's welcome to come in and spend time - even the family dog. It's the patient's wishes that are so important and when families want to be together, we do our best to facilitate that," said Ms Donkin.