A family has shared their gratitude for the support they received from a Wrexham hospice after a rare diagnosis.

Peter Taylor was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurological condition, four years ago.

His family, including his daughter Katie Taylor, a nurse, faced an uncertain journey due to the complexity of his care needs.

Ms Taylor was unsure if there were any services in the area that could specifically help with PSP.

However, after making a self-referral on her father's behalf, Mr Taylor began accessing a range of services at Nightingale House Hospice.

These included rehabilitation, complementary therapy, the Wellbeing Programme, and respite care.

These services provided crucial relief for both Mr Taylor and his family during his illness.

Ms Taylor said: "Nightingale House was the one place my family felt happy and safe leaving my dad, Peter, knowing he would be looked after.

"When he was staying for respite, my family and I often visited, and we could push him out into the garden so he could enjoy the fresh air - a luxury you don’t realise you have until it’s taken away."

She also shared a touching memory of a doctor watching a football match on TV with her father so he wasn't alone, saying: "That level of kindness and attention meant so much to us."

Pat and Peter Taylor   (Image: Nightingale House Hospice)

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is a rare and often misdiagnosed condition, frequently mistaken for Parkinson’s disease.

Through Mr Taylor's experience, Nightingale House Hospice hopes to raise awareness about PSP and highlight the broad range of conditions they care for.

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Dr Mellissa Everett at Nightingale House Hospice said: "Hospices are often associated with caring for patients with cancer, but we support many more conditions, including heart failure, liver and kidney failure, respiratory conditions like COPD, and neurological conditions such as PSP, MND, MS, and Parkinson's disease.

"Our involvement can be beneficial much earlier in the disease's progression, helping patients maintain strength and function while offering a variety of services such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and complementary therapies."

Nightingale House Hospice offers respite admissions to provide patients and their families with a break, along with emotional support throughout their journey.

Mr Taylor passed away in August, but his family remains thankful for the care he received at Nightingale House.

Ms Tayor added: "Knowing that Dad was treated with dignity and respect until the very end has given us peace during this difficult time."