Jessica Hayward – a granddaughter’s story
“The St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice team just came in and took over the situation, guiding us through the process, supporting both Nanny and our whole family,” said Jessica Hayward, whose Nan, Christine Peek received support from the St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) healthcare partnership, until her death aged 74-years-old in 2023.
Since launching in April 2019, more than 4,900 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been supported by the free specialist palliative care provided by the joint partnership of St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and ECCH.
Typically living with conditions such as cancer, heart failure, chronic lung diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and neurological disorders, these patients have received free care through the partnership’s varied, specialist palliative care provision available at Beccles Hospital, in the community and through the service’s 24-hour advice line, OneCall.
“Nanny was diagnosed with a brain tumour in Christmas 2022,” explained Jessica (pictured centre). “Prior to then, we had no inkling she was poorly.
“We just noticed on Christmas Day she was struggling, so we called 111 and they arranged for her to be taken to hospital via ambulance that same day.
“Later that evening, they completed scans which showed she had signs of a brain tumour. She remained in hospital for the Christmas period, before going to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for a scan which showed the tumour was incurable and we were told she only had nine to twelve months to live.
“It all happened so quickly, but we were so grateful to be taken under the carrying wing of the service provided by St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare. Their staff visited Nanny at her home, which was a short drive from Beccles Hospital. It was important to us, as a family, that she was able to remain at home where she was comfortable.
“The hospice’s community team would regularly visit Nanny and literally everything we could have asked for, they provided us. From a hospital bed to bath handrails, they were just brilliant and they almost became part of the family, as they visited so frequently and always had smiles on their faces.
“They said they wanted us to be Nanny’s family and not her carers and we cannot thank them enough for making this possible. As well as the care and pain support for Nanny, it was the little personal touches such as making sure she felt clean and tidy, with fresh pyjamas, which made such a difference.
“Grandad always bought Nanny Chanel N°5 perfume, as it was her favourite, and the hospice staff used to make sure Nanny had her perfume on after they had finished caring for her – sometimes she even let them have a spray themselves!
“Nanny died peacefully in her sleep on 31st March and the St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice team came to see us in the morning to see how we were and offer help, but as a family we all felt without their support, this process would have been far more uncertain and stressful for us all.
“Nanny had her own driving school – Peeks Driving School – so was a familiar face to many in the local area and at her funeral, over 400 people attended to show their love.
“She really was the family Queen and she has left a big hole in our hearts, as we all miss her dearly.
“Prior to our experience of St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice, our family had never received hospice care, but until you need their services you don’t realise how important it is.
“This is why we will be raising funds for the charity and looking to give back to them in any way we can, as they are the people that made a difference to our family when we needed support most
“If you think you or a loved one could potentially benefit from the hospice’s care, I would encourage you to pick up the phone and speak to them, as their help is so vital.
“I feel so passionately about St Elizabeth East Coast Hospice and I hope my support, through fundraising and volunteering for the charity, can help make a difference.”
For more information about the partnership’s services in Great Yarmouth and Waveney visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/great-yarmouth_and-waveney.
