Michael is living with Pancreatic Cancer, following a diagnosis in 2022. After experiencing some pain due to his illness, he spent 15 days on our Inpatient Unit receiving care and support for his symptoms.
Initially referred to Barnsley Hospice through his Macmillan Nurse, Michael found out a bed was available and was admitted to the hospice two days later.
“When I came in on the first day, I thought I was walking into a five-star hotel! Everywhere was clean and spotless. Staff were very welcoming and explained everything to me – who they were, what they’d be doing and where I could go.
“I was amazed with the space in the hospice. I was able to access the inpatient facilities 24 hours a day, including the hospice gardens and lounge area. I don’t sleep very well sometimes, so it was nice to get up and have a walk around. You could even have a chat with other patients on the ward if they were happy to.
“My room was great. There were screens on the roof where you could watch clouds passing when lying down. My friend, who had never been to the hospice before, visited me and even in the short time he was here said what a fantastic place it was.”
As a keen gardener, Michael also enjoyed spending time outside of his room: “I loved being out in the gardens. With birds, rabbits and sometimes owls, there’s always nature to watch, and it’s nice to be able to see something other than your room or the ward.”
“Nothing was ever too much trouble” for the staff Michael met while at the hospice, as he highlighted the difference they made during his stay.
“Housekeeping comes in every day to clean your room and bathroom and will always stop to have a chat and check if there’s anything you need or if you want a drink making.”
“The food is excellent, and you’ve always got a choice of what to eat. If they’ve got it, they’ll make it! I struggle to eat when there’s a lot on my plate, so asked if I could have smaller portions and they did exactly that. The sweets were fantastic too.
“I made sure to visit the kitchen before I left to thank them for how good the food was. I took a picture of every meal I had whilst at the hospice so I could show my partner, Christine, when she asked what I wanted making for tea!”
Michael has previous experience with Barnsley Hospice after his late wife Anne was cared for at the end of her life in 2008. While the hospice looked a lot different then, Michael still remembers the level of care she received at the time.
Michael shared the following message to anyone considering accessing hospice services: “Don’t panic. It’s a very bright place, and everyone makes you feel so welcome. When you arrive, everyone is so helpful and friendly and honestly can’t do enough for you. Since being at the hospice, my pain and symptoms have lessened, and I have been able to return home feeling much better.”
If you would like to find out more about the care and services we provide at Barnsley Hospice, please visit our services page.
