HOSPISCARE nurses and consultants have been praised after they gave an “amazing” amount of time, care and attention to a Crediton family.

Sue Sparham was describing how Hospiscare helped her husband Barrie and the rest of the family during his two-year illness.

“The staff had plenty of time to sit and talk to us. They were amazing,” said Sue.

Barrie was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lungs, in February 2009 and died two years later.

Barrie was well-known in the local area as a successful businessman who was awarded an OBE, as a keen musician, a staunch supporter of Sandford Cricket Club and an enthusiastic gardener.

After an initial successful operation the cancer returned a year later and a Hospiscare community nurse specialist, Hilary Squire, stepped in to help with managing pain relief, visiting their Greenway home regularly.

“Hilary worked really hard,” said Sue. “Barrie was on an awful lot of medication, he had to take 33 tablets a day as well as having patches and, of course, there were side effects from this.”

Due to the complications Barrie was referred to Hospiscare’s consultant Dr Tim Harlow who saw him monthly.

“Dr Tim chatted away to us and we never felt that time was pressing and that he had something else to do,” said Sue.

“Pain was Barrie’s biggest problem. It was something that was very difficult to control and Dr Tim suggested Barrie should come and stay at Exeter’s Hospiscare hospice so they could monitor him.

“He stayed for seven days and the staff were so good. Dr Becky Baines, another consultant, was so friendly and chatty. They all had so much time to sit and talk. They were all so interested in Barrie’s life and afterwards they would come and chat to me.

“As the condition progressed Barrie was getting anxious about his diet, but the kitchen staff were so helpful and cooked whatever he wanted. That was lovely, when they give individual attention, it makes you feel that you are the only person being looked after.”

When Barrie returned home Hilary continued to visit. “Pain was always the biggest problem and towards the end Barrie found it difficult to swallow all the pills,” said Sue.

Barrie went back to the hospice on February 10 and died five days later.

Sue added: “He was so well cared for there. The chaplain David Walford was a very down to earth person, he was lovely. He talked to our two daughters about how they would give the news of Barrie’s death to their young children.

“One of the male nurses gave Barrie a shave and put on his favourite aftershave. I thought that was a lovely touch. They were trying to normalise things. It’s the little things which make such a difference during this really difficult time.

“’On the day Barrie died we brought some music in for all of us to listen to together, music was a big part of Barrie’s life. Music was very important to him.”

During the family’s time at the hospice they enjoyed being able to go out into the hospice’s beautiful gardens. “They were so lovely and we just sat outside, it was so peaceful,” said Sue.

Barrie was managing director of the Devon Plant at Winkleigh when he was awarded the OBE for his contribution to manufacturing equipment to support the armed forces in the first Gulf War.

It was a very proud day for the whole family when they went to Buckingham Palace for Barrie to collect his OBE from the Queen herself.

He was an excellent young musician and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra. Barrie wanted to pursue a musical career but, in fact, he went to study engineering as an apprentice at Her Majesty’s Dockyard at Portsmouth where he was exposed to asbestos.

Sue and Barrie were teenage sweethearts and enjoyed 43 years of married life. Barrie was very much a family man and was happiest at home entertaining friends and family.

Sue has continued this hospitality by opening her beautiful garden twice to raise money for Hospiscare.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

You can help support other families like the Sparham’s by joining the Hospiscare “Bring a £1” scheme.

Hospiscare is asking people in work places, schools, sports and community groups to donate £1, on one day, to help run Pine Lodge, the Hospiscare Centre in Tiverton.

This special day can take place during Hospiscare Week, which runs until Sunday, October 11, when the charity joins in a national celebration of the amazing work carried out by hospices or at any other time.

For a poster and a collecting box email: [email protected] or [email protected] or to donate text: QUID15 £1 to 70070. You can also call Susie Healey on 01392 688094.

Alan Quick