John Capstick and Saint Catherine’s Hospice

This year we are cycling in memory of John Capstick , my sister in law Alice’s father.

Very kindly, Alice and Jennie, John’s loving wife and Alice’s mother, have offered to share their experience of Saint Catherine’s Hospice and how their warmth and kindness made such a difference for John and the whole family at what was the most difficult of times.

Alice recalls;

“In January 2023 our lives were shattered when Dad was rushed into hospital with a perforated bowel and sepsis quickly set in. He was living with a terminal diagnosis of prostate cancer and was deemed too ill for surgery. He chose to stop all the medication he’d been on to keep the cancer at bay, understanding that there was nothing to be done. As a family, we huddled together on a surgical ward ill-equipped for palliative medicine, ready to say our goodbyes. The team searched for more appropriate care, but to add to the mix, Dad was diagnosed with Covid meaning options shrank. We were told it was unlikely he would last through the weekend. When Monday came, we were still there; Dad was miraculously beating the sepsis and surviving Covid and that was the first time St Catherine’s, Scarborough, came into play. They could help – they would take him despite the Covid – they offered a sanctuary for his final days.

I arrived at St Catherine’s to be shown to his room, fearing the worst. But there was my Dad, so close to death but sitting up in a bed covered with cosy, beautiful blankets, with my Mum in an armchair close by, the sun shining through patio windows to a lovely garden. My Dad - enjoying a cup of tea in a ‘proper china mug’ whilst care staff checked in, as if it were the most normal day ever. And to me, that moment epitomised everything that St Catherine’s came to represent – dignity; humanity; compassion; excellence; attention to detail; Care. All when it was needed the most.”

Jennie also remembers the shock of John’s deterioration, the frustration of trying to get answers and the huge difference John’s arrival at Saint Catherine’s made for him and the whole family;

“Following ten days of intense trauma involving an emergency ambulance dash to hospital, followed by twelve hours of corridor care until a bed was found, the threat of major surgery (not suitable), severe sepsis then Covid, the move to St Catherine’s Hospice provided a heavenly blessing. The loving care of every member of the team, the knowledgeable ability of staff to adjust the drugs needed for palliative care to make a loved one’s final days bearable and in some cases, to stabilise the condition temporarily was amazing. Their policy of support for each family member never failed to impress.”

Alices memories of the support throughout that period emphasise how important hospice care is to the individual and their families at the end of their life;

“On the pull-out sofa bed next to Dad, my Mum was able to stay, to be together. My sisters and I took turns in the armchair alongside them. The staff at St Catherine’s were ever present; despite being clearly stretched, they would don their full PPE and arrive to attend to Dad’s every need. Even when he became cross and angry in his pain, they would never fail to recognise the man within, to raise his and our spirits and to give confidence to our care giving. Nothing was too much trouble; comfort, excellence in care and being pain-free was their priority. Some of the most difficult days my family ever experienced were made manageable by St Catherine’s Hospice. And for that, we will be forever grateful.

It costs St Catherine’s £17,000 a day to provide respite and end of life care for its patients. Over £6 million a year. Only around 30% of this is funded by the NHS. I personally know the difference it made, to my Dad and to all our family – a vital, personal, local service that is worth every single penny”

We have an ambitious fundraising target of £2500 this year but I am sure you all agree……your kind donations could not support a better cause and will make such a huge difference. Huge thanks to Alice, Jennie and all of Johns family for their support…..now lets smash this target!