Supporting the Person, Not Just the Condition: Geoff’s Experience at our Hospice

As we mark Pulmonary Rehab Week, Geoff’s story is a reminder of the power of personalised care in supporting people with chronic respiratory conditions.

When Geoff was regularly visiting the emergency department at East Surrey Hospital due to his Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), he never imagined that his journey would take a different turn — one that would lead him to our hospice.

“In fact, at one time, I thought I’d got a season ticket,” Geoff said with a chuckle. But frequent hospital visits weren’t a long-term solution. Recognising this, his medical team at East Surrey made a referral to our hospice, opening the door to a new kind of support — one that extended beyond emergency treatment.

Geoff hadn’t realised that we provide help with breathing issues, and he admits that at first, he didn’t know what to expect. “It wasn’t really advertised, but I was visited at home by several of your practitioners who did me an awful lot of good,” he recalled. “They suggested various things I could do to assist myself.”

That support wasn’t just for Geoff — it was for his wife, Jacky, too. “Not only are they caring for Geoff, they’re caring for me because I need to look after Geoff,” she explained. “If I’m not in a good place, then he’s not.” For them, our hospice became a place of holistic care, a family of support extending to both patient and carer.

Geoff attended our seated exercises classes, breathlessness class and more recently, Geoff has been attending one-to-one exercise sessions with Beth, our Therapy Technician, to help him regain strength after a hip fracture. “I’ve done pulmonary rehab, I’ve done cardiac rehab. They’re pretty good,” he said. “But are they suitable for somebody who loses their breath very easily? No, they’re not. The difference here is that it’s tailored to my individual needs.”

For Geoff, this personalisation makes all the difference. “They realise I have a breathing problem, so they don’t push me beyond what’s safe. It’s a huge relief, and I actually look forward to coming to an exercise class!”

Jacky echoed his sentiments. “It’s important for just our life, actually. They support both of us.”

Reflecting on his journey with St Catherine’s, Geoff summed it up simply: “I didn’t realise what they did, but now I do. And my God, I am glad I met them.”

For Geoff and Jacky, the two words that stand out from their experience are individuality and support — because our care isn’t just about the condition. It’s about the person, and the people who love them.