First Butterfly Hospice Patient Praises Care

The first patient to receive care at the Butterfly Hospice has spoken of his family's gratitude at having the facility in the community.

Cecil Taylor spent a week in the hospice's inpatient unit in Boston for respite care.

His stay allowed his daughter and full-time carer, Julie Pedley, to be able to join her husband Shane for a break in Majorca, where their seven-year-old daughter Charlotte was taking part in a holiday football academy.

Cecil (87), who lives in Boston, said: "The staff made me feel welcome and were very reassuring. It was nice to be just down the road. I had seen some of the nurses before and I had lots of visitors. I was also able to sit in the grounds and enjoy the flowers. It brought back memories from when I had been a baker's roundsman and used to deliver bread down the street."

Julie added: "Dad's health had been better when we booked the holiday and without the Butterfly Hospice I wouldn't have been able to go. We are very grateful to the staff. They could not have done anything better. It's very reassuring to know the hospice is there."

The Butterfly Hospice's six-bed inpatient unit opened to patients in August.

The unit is run in partnership with Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and the Butterfly Hospice Trust and offers palliative, end of life and respite care for adults with life-limiting illness.

Becky Portess, Sister for LCHS, said: "In the short time the Butterfly Hospice has been open, we have been overwhelmed with the support and good wishes shown to the clinical staff and volunteers. It was a pleasure to hear Cecil enjoyed his stay with us and we hope we can continue to offer more patients high quality care and choice in the community. Anyone who would like to know more about staying at the Butterfly Hospice is welcome to speak to a member of the team on 01205 446780."