Care at Home

Services

Leave a gift

One in four of our patients is cared for thanks to a gift left in a will.

Bringing care home

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the motor neurones leading to weakness and wasting of muscles, increasing loss of mobility in limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing, breathing and cognitive processes.

Imagine then, being told this is the reason you keep slurring your words or why you’re having dizzy spells.

When Di Catley, from Harrogate, was diagnosed with MND in September 2009 it was finally an answer for why she had been finding normal everyday things like speaking increasingly challenging. But it was not the answer she was hoping for.

It did however start the ball rolling for a significant progression for MND care in the Harrogate district.

“We didn’t know where to turn. It was such a shock,” said husband Geoff.

“We had no idea what support was available. We contacted the Yorkshire Dales branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association which was already in the process of establishing links with Saint Michael’s and that relationship between the two has changed everything for us.”

In late 2010 Saint Michael’s set up a think-tank including members of the MNDA, patients like Di and her husband Geoff, and various specialists from the hospice team to determine what could be done to enhance the support for people living with MND in the area.

“We concluded that we needed an MND specialist in the area and even though government funding for the post was cut, the MNDA and Saint Michael’s decided it was too important to let go and decided to put up the funds. We haven’t looked back.”

The couple, both former government officers, are delighted to have played a part in the appointment of Saint Michael’s MND specialist, Corinne Spence, in 2011.

It has been life-changing for the Catleys.

“The support is fantastic. Corinne comes to see us at home every few weeks to assess Di. Whatever it may be, she knows how to help both of us and is always on the other end of the phone if we need her.

“When people think of hospice care they tend to think of cancer, but MND is one of a long list of other conditions Saint Michael’s also provides specialist care and support for.

“The care for MND in the Harrogate district has been revolutionised and we are so grateful to Saint Michael’s and the Yorkshire Dales branch of the MNDA for it.”