A DROITWICH couple have praised the standard of care received at St Richard's Hospice.

Martin Neath, aged 48, was referred to St Richard’s Hospice after learning he had terminal lung cancer.

Not previously having anything to do with the hospice, Mr Neath and his wife Michelle said they were "amazed" by what the Worcester-based hospice has to offer.

Mr Neath said: "We can’t speak too highly of St Richard’s. We are very appreciative of the care we have been given in so many ways by so many people. We want others to understand what the hospice really can do for people and encourage them to support it however they can.”

The couple said the way that staff and volunteers always have time to talk to them proved a welcome eye-opener.

Mrs Neath said: “You never get an indication of how busy the staff are. If you want to talk they will stop and talk. They give you time and that means much more than popping in to just give you pills.

“Everyone will have time to listen from the housekeeping team to the physio to the unit manager. They are very observant too. However much I say I’m okay they can tell when I’m not. For example, the nurse could see I was struggling and arranged for me to have some complementary therapy even though I thought there must have been lots more people here in more need than me.”

Mr Neath added: “The nurses and medical team learn more by talking to you. They chat and the information you give them allows them to make informed decisions. The staff can’t do enough for us — they go above and beyond the call of duty. They think of everything we need before we have.”

The pair have received support from the Hospice at Home team and have also been able to keep in touch with St Richard’s out of hours and during weekends through telephone support.

Mrs Neath and the couple’s two children have also had advice and counselling from the Family Support Team.

Mr Neath has had three stays in the hospice In-patient Unit before returning to be supported at home.

He said: "At first I thought a hospice was the last place to go to rest your bones but I have been proved wrong. You come into the hospice and they look after you, sorting out your pain and making it easier to carry on. Whether at home or in the hospice, we always have the St Richard’s back up. It’s amazing what they can do.”