NHS CONTRACT: TERRY’S STORY

RBLI has signed a block funding contract with the NHS to provide four fully furnished apartments at Greenwich House for patients admitted from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and who are ready to move back into independent or residential living.

Terance O’Grady, 66, was struggling to get out of bed while living in a bedsit with buckets catching drips from a leaky ceiling and no television for entertainment. Sharing a toilet and shower with other residents was also challenging for Terry, who described his experience as “pure hell” as he heard loud banging, shouting, and screaming almost every night. Such poor living conditions would have a huge impact on anyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, let alone for someone living with a terminal condition, like Terry.

Following a 3-week stay at Maidstone Hospital when his condition deteriorated, Terry was moved directly into one of the NHS flats at Greenwich House, where he met Donna Sears; a Team Leader providing care for residents living at RBLI’s assisted living facilities in Aylesford. Donna explains that when she first met Terry, he was very low and was getting confused with his medication.

Terry soon started to go on walks, do his own shopping, and even started cooking his own meals at home. Despite his father having served in the Air Corps, Terry had no knowledge of Greenwich House before moving in, but immediately felt at home after just a few days thanks to RBLI’s care team. Terry said, “If you’re not happy then you’re not going to feel too good, are you? I’m absolutely over the moon with this place and all of the people.”

It is with great sadness that Terry has since passed away; but we are so proud to have helped make his final few months more comfortable.