Family Reflects on Father’s Final Christmas at Derbyshire Hospice

“We had a pyjama party, cocktails, buck’s fizz and even made prawn cocktails.” Faye Bramall has reflected on her father Philip’s final Christmas, which occurred a year ago and was spent with his family at a Derbyshire hospice. Philip, a Killamarsh resident, received care for cancer and Parkinson’s disease at Ashgate Hospice. He passed away on December 28, 2023, at the age of 66. Faye, 29, stated that the family “didn’t know which way to turn” when Philip’s health deteriorated faster than anticipated. She added that the hospice transformed into a “home from home” for them. Philip, who hailed from Mosborough in South Yorkshire, was a devoted Sheffield Wednesday supporter and an enthusiastic sportsman. In 2013, he underwent successful treatment for skin cancer. However, he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2016, followed by prostate cancer in 2020. An MRI scan conducted in October of the previous year indicated that the skin cancer had recurred and metastasized, leading to a prognosis of two to three years. Nevertheless, his health worsened, and he was admitted to the hospice on November 2. “Within a few weeks he was so poorly,” Faye said. “We didn’t know what to do, we didn’t know where to turn, until Ashgate Hospice stepped in and took control of everything.” “They managed to get him stable, and it was like having my dad back. “He peaked and got back on track with his Parkinson’s medication, the care he received was second to none.” Although this period of improvement was temporary, Faye noted that the hospice ensured his last weeks—and his final Christmas—were exceptionally special. Faye, from Sheffield, said: “Christmas was dad’s favourite time of year, and his wishes were to just celebrate together as a family one last time.” “From walking into the hospice and seeing the Christmas trees, it was just magical in Ashgate during the festive season.” “I’ll never forget on Christmas Day, we decided to take Christmas to the hospice. We had a pyjama party, cocktails, buck’s fizz and even made prawn cocktails.” “They’re such happy memories for me; I’m so grateful the hospice was there so we could focus on spending time with dad.” Faye and her sister Lisa have endorsed the hospice’s Christmas appeal, which aims to help secure the £11 million required annually, beyond the funding received from the NHS. The hospice reported that it can only operate 15 of its 21 inpatient beds, indicating that not all patients requiring hospice care can currently access it. The government recently declared £100 million in funding over a two-year period to enhance end-of-life care at hospices across England, intending to address this challenge.