Ann Bate - Patient Relative

“They not only cared for my Mum but were there supporting and caring the family and friends helping with Mums care, it enabled us to keep going and gave us the confidence we were doing a good job.“

“My mother Doreen moved with us to the IOM in May 2022. She had visited the island many times with us for 35 years.

Sadly in December she took ill and slowly deteriorated which necessitated in us needing help with her care and pain management. We wanted to keep her at home, which with the help of our wonderful GP’s who supported us with this decision and the referral to the Hospice team at home, it enabled us so to do.

The Hospice team were amazing, not only with the care and support they gave my mother to keep her as comfortable as possible but also with their attitude and kindness. Nothing was too much trouble, at times they had barely got five minutes down the road and we would have to call them back. Not once did they complain, they in fact encouraged us to call at any point we had concerns (day or night). They not only cared for my Mum but were there supporting and caring towards the family and friends that were helping with Mums care. It enabled us to keep going and gave us the confidence we were doing a good job.

When the end came, it was an emotional time but they explained everything about the process and were just so empathetic. It’s never easy losing someone you love but the Hospice team made it feel like we were all in it together.

Then, a few weeks later I got a call from the Hospice counsellor asking how we all were coping and did we need to talk to someone. Just being asked the question helped.

The whole process made me realise how lucky the Isle of Man is to have this service and how lucky we were to be living here.

I am now a volunteer for Hospice, I want to do my tiny bit to keep this place going so others if needed have the love and support we had helping us say goodbye to a very much loved family member.”