When doting grandad David Robbins was diagnosed with lung cancer, he was cared for in Birmingham Hospice’s Inpatient Unit (IPU), allowing his family to also receive the support they needed.
Devoted family man David loved his wife Maureen and would do anything for son Paul and daughter Tracey as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always had a smile on his face and was keen to support his grandchildren or treat them to family holidays.
David had been having issues with his chest and had been waiting for the results of a scan when he and Maureen went to A&E because of breathing difficulties. Doctors informed him that he had stage four lung cancer and was referred to the hospice.
He then spent four weeks in our IPU receiving compassionate, specialised and personalised care. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Granddaughter Amber Robbins said: “He would do anything for us and was a very generous man.
“He was the glue who kept the family together. Grandad always had a laugh and a joke with us and had a smile on his face.”
Upon arrival, the family were made to feel welcome and comfortable by everyone working in IPU. David faced his illness bravely and was often more concerned with how his family were coping. He loved to talk with the clinical and medical teams and appreciated that they took time to explain what they were doing to make him feel comfortable, such as pain relief and symptom control.
Nurses and Healthcare Assistants would also spend time talking with David. Loved ones and relatives were able to visit him at any day or time and were also kept informed of his condition.
“When he went into the hospice Grandad understood what was happening and he really liked the hospice,” said Amber.
“The hospice has a really homely feel. All the staff were caring and knew him well.”
David enjoyed how our Catering Team would prepare his favourite food whenever he wanted, like mandarins in cream, and loved our garden, which was kept looking lovely by son-in-law Dean, who works in our Facilities Team.
Near the end, Maureen and several family members stayed overnight in our dedicated family room to be by his side. A cast of Maureen and David holding hands was also made.
After his passing, Maureen donated a pair of gnomes for the garden and the family planted a special commemorative rose in honour of him.
Amber also tackled the Black Country Half Marathon in her grandad’s memory and raised £570 for the hospice.
