EllenorLions Hospice provides specialist adult care and promotes ongoing support for families. In part five of our series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the hospice, ABIGAIL FOULKES finds out more about the services it provides for carers.

SINCE her husband of 42 years, Gerald, was diagnosed with cancer, EllenorLions has been a tower of strength to Sue Gray.

Sue Gray, a retired nurse from Wilmington, Dartford, said: “The help and support EllenorLions has given us over the years has been invaluable.”

Following his diagnosis in 2003, Gerald had surgery before beginning a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink the cancerous cells in his leg.

However, after the 64-year-old finished his treatment, doctors discovered a spot on his lung.

It was then that Sue decided to get EllenorLions involved for pain control.

“Gerry thought I was being a bit premature, but the hospice has always been close to my heart,” the mother-of-two recalled.

“I worked with the Ellenor nurses closely when I was practicing, and wanted them onboard.

”Although they initially only came to our home once a month, they offered so much support and expertise, they were really helpful.”

The hospice provided voluntary drivers to take the couple to hospital appointments, as well as complementary specialist treatments once a week for Gerald.

It continued to support Sue with a Caring for Carers course, covering practical issues such as finances and wills, nutrition and offering counselling sessions.

The grandmother said: “The sessions focused on the carer and how to look after yourself, which was really beneficial.”

The hospice supported her as she cared for her husband, checking on the treatment that was provided to him whilst she kept the nurses up-to-date.

After an MRI scan, doctors found another mass in Mr Gray’s leg, and in December last year, he got his leg and part of his pelvis amputated.

“The hospice nurses were so supportive, both emotionally and psychologically,” Sue said.

“There was always someone to call- just a voice on the end of the phone can be so comforting.”

The Caring for Carers course was “extremely helpful” as their situation changed, and Sue has been on it a few times.

”To tell you the truth, I’m quite frightened,” she said.

“But the support EllenorLions has provided has been brilliant.

“I really don’t know where we’d be without them.” EllenorLions Hospice provides specialist care at home to 300 patients, with regular contact from specialist nurses and doctors who address the patient and carers needs and problems.

The hospice is committed to offering support 24 hours a day to ensure the carer’s needs are met whereever possible.

The hospice team includes nurses, health care assistants and volunteers who assist and relieve carers, giving them the space and time they need to continue to be able to care.

Through these respite and support staff, the hospice provides comfort, companionship and nursing care where appropriate, for the patient and their family.

The next Caring for Carers course will start on September 23 and will run over 7 weeks.

For more information, call 01474 320007 or visit lionshospice.co.uk