A Journey Home: Janet and Gemma’s Story

When Janet was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and lung cancer, she found herself facing not only the challenges of her condition but also the distance from her loved ones. Janet and her husband, Phillip, had been living in Brittany, France, for the past 15 years. As her condition progressed, they decided that they wanted to be closer to their family in the UK.

The journey began when Janet’s daughter, Gemma, attended the Monday Matters drop-in service. During the session, the Wellbeing Team carefully unpacked Gemma’s concerns, identified the key information she needed, and mapped out the connections that would help her mum safely access care and equipment at home. From there, they created a clear and practical plan of action, and it was through this conversation that Gemma began to learn more about the breadth of care and support offered by Saint Catherine’s.

Gemma, who lives in Scarborough, had heard of Saint Catherine’s Hospice but, like many people, believed it was a place solely for end-of-life care. What she discovered instead was a place filled with warmth, compassion, and a wide range of support that goes far beyond what she had expected. Working together, Gemma, the team at Saint Catherine’s, and Flight Medic UK coordinated the complex arrangements needed to bring Janet home. The medical repatriation involved a 13-hour journey from France, something that initially made Janet apprehensive. But thanks to the professionalism and kindness of the team, her worries soon faded.

Behind the scenes, a great deal of planning and coordination went into making Janet’s move possible. The hospice’s multidisciplinary team, including nursing, medical, administrative, therapies, and support staff, worked together to ensure every detail was taken care of. This included obtaining her medical records from France, which had to be translated and carefully reviewed so her care needs could be fully understood and supported from the moment she arrived. From preparing her room in the In-Patient Unit to developing care plans and liaising with external medical services, every member of the team played a part in making Janet’s transition feel safe, seamless, and, above all, compassionate.

When Janet arrived, she was greeted with warmth and reassurance. She recalls being surprised by what she saw:

“I expected it to look like a hospital, But my room feels more like a hotel, it feels homely, which really helps my mindset.”

For the teams at Saint Catherine’s, Janet’s journey home is a powerful example of what hospice care truly means. It’s not just about the final days; it’s about living well, being surrounded by love, and ensuring comfort and dignity at every stage. Janet’s story shows the very heart of Saint Catherine’s, a place where compassion, expertise, and teamwork come together to make the extraordinary possible. From a small town in Brittany to the comfort of her room here in Scarborough, her journey home reflects what hospice care is truly about: helping people live with dignity, comfort, and love, wherever their journey begins.