Debbie’s Experience

Debbie Lloyd’s sister in law, Diana Lloyd, died at the Inpatient Unit at Arthur Rank Hospice in 2019.

Debbie’s husband, Chris Lloyd, died at Addenbrookes hospital in 2024 and she kindly shared more about her experiences:

“My husband, Chris, was admitted to Addenbrookes hospital on 20 March 2024. He was very well looked after at the hospital and, whilst I felt he had the best possible care and a good death, the experience as a relative was very difficult in an environment not geared for the dying.

I had to commute daily via the Park and Ride each day. I would have liked to stay with him and could have tried to sleep in a chair but there were no toilet or shower facilities on the ward for visitors. At the time the lavatories in the concourse were being refurbished and nearly every loo near the lifts was out of order, which would have made staying overnight especially challenging. I was quite exhausted by the time palliative care had begun.

Chris died six weeks later on 2 May 2024.”

Debbie shared more about her experience at the Inpatient Unit at the Hospice when her Sister in Law was there:

“I think Diana, was lucky to spend her last two months of life at the Inpatient Unit at Arthur Rank Hospice. She had a lung condition which was managed so well that she was able to have extended life as well as a good death.

She had severe pulmonary fibrosis which made life at home perilous, even with home generated O2. In the Hospice she had the latest, up to date, mixed air and O2, delivered warmed and moisturised via a much softer larger and more comfortable nose tube. With this and by having everything done for her by the Hospice Staff she was able to be comfortable and live without fear.

She enjoyed all therapies and spa treatments which were offered by the Complementary Therapists at the Hospice and she especially enjoyed the foot massages.

She also benefitted from the emotional support and was able to plan her funeral with the help of a Celebrant at the Hospice.

Her relatives were able to park in the Hospice car park or at the Babraham Road Park and Ride next door for free.

They could also get a meal at a reasonable cost at the Bistro and they were offered tea, coffee and cake each afternoon when the volunteers came around with the tea trolley.

We were particularly touched on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (when the Bistro was closed) when a dinner was provided, with the table laid, outside Diana’s room for us. 

Diana was a very sociable person and at the Inpatient Unit, she was able to have her family or other visitors with her at any time of the day in her individual en suite room. Her daughter was able to stay at the Hospice and even sleep in the room with her in a chair-bed. For her final weekend she had her daughter and son-in-law sleeping in a bed next to her and my husband and I were able to stay in one of the family suites.

This was very important to her and her family during that time and has helped them grieve knowing they did all they could to support her.”

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Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim being to provide the highest quality care, helping people to make every moment count. You can find out more about how we are funded here: arhc.org.uk/how-we-are-funded.