A Gravesend hospice has received a significant funding boost of £12,374.91, which will support its ongoing work in delivering specialist palliative care to patients from across the region.
Left to right – Masie and Hannah from the Hospice’s Individual Giving Team, Norman and Vicki Scott, Nobby’s counsellor, Sophie, and Nobby’s hospice at home nurse, Debbie.
The funds reflect the amount spent to date on the care of one patient, Norman Scott, 69, who was sadly diagnosed in August 2022 with mesothelioma - an aggressive form of cancer linked almost exclusively to exposure to asbestos.
Known to his friends and family as Nobby, his health deteriorated rapidly within weeks of receiving the news. He reached out to the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group (LASAG) for support, which referred him to ellenor Hospice to receive palliative care.
Whilst there is no cure for Mr Scott’s condition, once he had been admitted, the hospice's medical and support staff worked to stabilise his condition and find a combination of medication that helped to improve his symptoms.
Remarkably, his day-to-day health improved so significantly that he could return home to his family and regularly return to ellenor Hospice for outpatient treatment.
His wife, Vicki, also continues to benefit from the support of the hospice as she comes to terms with his diagnosis.
As part of Mr Scott’s civil claim, he recovered the charitably funded portion of his treatment costs on behalf of the Hospice. In Mr Scott’s case, the figure of £12,374.91 was recovered by his legal team at Thompsons Solicitors on behalf of the Hospice.
The money, which is the amount spent on his treatment to date, will allow the hospice to continue providing palliative care to adults and children in Dartford, Gravesham, and Swanley.
Commenting on his illness and his decision to give back to the hospice, which has helped him so much, Mr Scott said: "It was such a shock to be diagnosed with mesothelioma and for my condition to deteriorate so rapidly. The care that I received has been absolutely above and beyond.
“The team was amazing, giving my wife and me emotional support as well as the very best medical care. I am forever in their debt. They gave me hope when I needed it most. I want to support their work, and I hope that this money goes some way to helping them to help more people."
ellenor Hospice's CEO, Michelle Kabia, expressed deep gratitude for the generous contribution recovered by Mr Scott through his claim, noting that it will play a crucial role in allowing the hospice to continue providing vital care and support to more patients and their families in the community.
Jackie Wood from Thompsons Solicitors, which secured a compensation payout for Mr Scott from a former employer after he was negligently exposed to asbestos whilst at work, said: “Mr Scott should never have been exposed to asbestos whilst at work.
“By successfully pursuing a claim on his behalf against his former employer, Mr Scott has been able to make this wonderful gesture that will no doubt be a huge boost for the hospice, which does fantastic work caring for people with life-limiting conditions across the region.”
