Penny Ellis became deputy manager of our Hospice at Home service in August 2021, supporting local people to keep their beloved family members at home as they near the end of life.
Penny understands ‘exactly how important it is’ to be able to grant a loved one’s wish to stay in the comfort of their home as they die, after the Hospice at Home service cared for Penny’s mum, Pat Wilson, during the final days of her life in 2018.
Penny, who has been a nurse for over a quarter of a century, explains: ‘My Mum and Dad, Pat and Dave Wilson, have lived in Chapel-en-le-Frith since 1973. My Mum worked at Chapel-en-le-Frith C of E VC Primary School as a caretaker and later worked as a teaching assistant, before moving onto a teaching assistant position at Whaley Bridge Primary School.
‘After her retirement, Mum’s health started to decline, and following many tests, investigations and surgery, she was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma (cancer of the adrenal glands; two small glands on top of each kidney), in 2016. This came as a shock to us all as a family. Unfortunately, her prognosis was only two to five years as this is a very rare form of cancer.
‘After several rounds of palliative chemotherapy, Mum became weaker and weaker, and the decision was made to stop further treatment and plan for best supportive care at home. Mum made the decision to die at home and she herself got in touch with Louise Furmston (community engagement lead nurse at Blythe House), who was an old neighbour, to ask about support from the hospice. Louise arranged for Mum to visit the hospice; to meet staff and discuss the services available to her. Dr Sarah Parnacott (consultant in palliative medicine and a trustee on the Blythe House and Helen’s Trust board), also became involved at this point.
‘Mum was really looking forward to attending some group sessions and relaxing by enjoying some complementary therapy. Dad and I always attended Mum’s clinic appointments at Blythe House with Dr Parnacott, who she trusted wholeheartedly. Mum regularly commented on the family-friendly feel and the kind staff at the hospice.
‘Within weeks, Mum’s condition deteriorated rapidly and she was never able to attend any of the Blythe House services that she was so looking forward to. In October 2018, Mum became bedbound and as a family, we chose to care for her at home. We had excellent ongoing care from both Dr Parnacott and the Chapel-en-le-Frith district nursing team.
‘The district nurses referred mum to the Blythe House Hospice at Home service and I received a call from Ruth Brown (former manager of the service who has now retired but sits on the hospice’s board of trustees). Mary Rooney, a Hospice at Home healthcare assistant, sat with Mum overnight so we as a family could get some much-needed rest. I remember talking with Mary about the Hospice at Home service as it was new to me. Mum died very peacefully with all her family around, warm and comfortable, two days later. Without the Hospice at Home service, it would have been a struggle to continue as a family. The team’s intervention was so valuable.
‘Three years later in 2021, I saw a vacancy for a Hospice at Home nurse and knew I had to apply. As a nurse for over 25 years, my passion has always been caring for palliative and end of life patients. I’m really pleased that both Shane (O’Reilly, hospice CEO) and Jude (Webster, Hospice at Home manager), could see my passion for this type of nursing. I have been within the Hospice at Home team for nearly 18 months and I absolutely love it.
‘I feel so privileged to be helping other families care for their loved ones at home. I totally understand the difficulties our patients and their families face daily when patients wish to die at home, but with the help and support of the Hospice at Home team at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust, this can be made so much easier. After utilising the service for my Mum, I now know just exactly how important it is; the care and support given is utterly immeasurable. It is both a pleasure and an honour to work for Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.’
Find out more about the Hospice at Home service and how it could support your loved one.
