‘I want to go home and die’ says Kettering woman, 33, who has spent past 422 days in hospital

Elizabeth Rose was first admitted to Kettering General Hospital (KGH) on March 15, 2025, after standing and breaking both her legs – a result of osteoporosis brought on by years of Addison’s Disease and complications of type 1 diabetes.

After four months of medical care in KGH, she was sent to Wellingborough’s Isebrook Hospital for rehabilitation, where she has remained since July 2025, desperate to get back to her own home, near her family and friends.

Helped by her parents David and Maggie, Elizabeth – a wheelchair user – battled to get her two-bedroom property adapted for her needs. The doorways were widened thanks to work organised by adult social care provider North Northants Council.

But the fight to get home continues as a care package for her 24-hour needs, much to her frustration, has still not been arranged.

She said: “I’m desperate to get back home. I want to go home and die. The dialysis has really taken its toll on me.

“I have worked so hard to keep myself alive. Since being here I have gone downhill. I facetime my friends, but I don’t want them to know I’m so down.

“I’ve not got 10 plus years, it’s more like five. It could happen at any time and that’s what scares me, that’s why I want to go home.

“I want to make some memories. I want to sit on my own sofa. I want to feel safe, be with my niece, and for people to pop in to see me during the day. I don’t have any autonomy.”

Elizabeth has been managing her type 1 diabetes ever since her schooldays at Millbrook Junior School. After doing her A-Levels at Southfield School in Kettering, she applied to train as a nurse, working as a health care assistant to help her realise her dream.

But undiagnosed Addison’s Disease meant she was unable to continue and – dreams shattered – the trainee nurse became a patient.

Despite her illnesses, she enjoyed holidays and attending Northern Soul events, but gradually her condition has deteriorated.

She must have kidney dialysis three nights a week, and relies on two carers on shifts to provide her care for her life-limiting illnesses.

And it’s that nursing care package – which needs qualified people to administer the 40 drugs she needs – that has prevented her leaving the ward in Wellingborough.

She said: “I feel sorry for other people who are stuck in hospital. I’m taking up someone’s bed for their rehab.

“There must be others who like me who are slipping through the cracks. If I didn’t have my family it would be awful. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

“I have done everything for the rehab they have told me. I can’t walk but I can stand with a zimmer frame.”

At least three times Elizabeth has been within days of being discharged, only to be told she couldn’t go home.

The family have been helped by their GP who has supported Elizabeth’s desire to go home, saying she it is ‘vital’ for her to have suitable accommodation and carers.

Mum Maggie said: “We’re at our wits’ end. We don’t know where to turn. We don’t care who is to blame, we just want our daughter in her home.”

Dad David added: “All the staff are so caring, compassionate and lovely, but it’s a hospital. We appreciate she needs lots of help.

“What brought it home was when someone said to her that she was the longest occupying patient in Northamptonshire.”

Elizabeth added: “I just want to be as normal as I can be. I did see light at the end of the tunnel, now I feel like I’m in limbo. I try not to get too excited when they give me a date.

“The last time we thought I was going home the care agency they found couldn’t look after me. It was the worst weekend – I felt so lonely.

“I want to go home and feel safe.”

A North Northamptonshire Council spokesman said: “We are committed to working towards a solution for Ms Rose and have helped facilitate a number of home adaptations to ensure she is able to return home.”

The Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board has been contacted for a comment.