Since being diagnosed with liver and lung cancer, and undergoing 31 courses of radiotherapy, Jonathan has struggled with the many side effects and symptoms of his illness and treatment.

Following a series of collapses, seizures, and a badly broken arm, Jonathan was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital where he stayed for 4 weeks.

“After that I got to choose whether I’d like to go home, or be admitted to the hospice. I chose home, but I only lasted two days before I asked if the offer of the hospice was still there.

“I was completely shocked when I got here. I’d thought it would be a place full of older people sitting around knitting, but it’s actually such a friendly, lively place. I can’t fault it at all.”

Jonathan plans to stay at the hospice while his broken arm continues to heal, so that he can benefit from the support of the specialist, multidisciplinary team.

“Those two days at home were a struggle for me and my partner to manage, but here it’s like being on holiday, and my partner can visit as much as he wants. The doctors call into my room several times a day to check on my pain, tweaking my medication if needed, and we’ve now got my pain under control.

“Having been a nurse for over 30 years myself, I’ve seen care in all sorts of settings, and I just can’t fault it here. I’ve seen physiotherapists about my arm, I’m booked in for a hand massage at the Wellbeing Hub, and everyone here - nurses, doctors, volunteers, housekeepers – have become like friends. They don’t go past my room without popping their head in to say hello!

“If anyone’s nervous about what a hospice is, don’t be.”