The Balhousie-China Connection

Balhousie Pitlochry has achieved what may be a first for Balhousie Care Group, repatriating a gentleman all the way from China, now resident in the Highland Perthshire care home.

Eugene Peter Russell – whom the staff all now fondly call Teddy – had been living and working in China teaching English. He was taken seriously ill earlier this year, suffering a stroke, and had been hospitalised for a number of months. Eugene had previously lived and worked in Perth some twenty years earlier, where he’d had a computer business.

The British Consulate worked in China to have him repatriated to Scotland. But, with poor health, lack of mobility and lack of family or friends in the UK to support him, they struggled to find a care home that would work in tandem with them. He needed a residence and care in Scotland to be able to return home.

Pitlochry Home Manager, Claire Mackay agreed to work with the repatriation teams. Balhousie Pitlochry was happy to support their work to get Teddy home and provide the rehabilitation and therapeutic care he needed.

It made a significant difference for such a lengthy and tiring trip, that he was supported by his ex-sister-in-law for two weeks in isolation in China, prior to flying to Scotland. She also supported him during his flight from China to Paris, waiting with him until he was clear to board for Edinburgh. Teddy was then transferred into a taxi at Edinburgh airport, along with the airport chaplain, and driven to Balhousie Pitlochry care home.

Home Manager, Claire said: “It has been a considerable achievement between the Consulate and our brilliant care team here in Pitlochry, to manage all the logistics to bring Teddy to his homeland in Scotland for rehabilitation. The aim is he’ll eventually be able to live in his own accommodation with support.”

Melissa and Sarah from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said of Claire and her team: “We want to say a big THANK YOU for your understanding and patience as colleagues, as we overcame hurdles to get Peter safely back to Scotland.”

Hugely grateful for all the support and care he is now receiving, Teddy has nothing but praise for the Pitlochry care home staff. In the few weeks he’s been there, he’s already seeing movement and regained some strength in his left arm, through their expert care.

Teddy has also celebrated his 50th birthday in the home since arriving with the team organising a celebration with a special cake. He also met with the new Chairman of Balhousie Care, Lieven Baten a few weeks ago.

Teddy is now determined to realise his plans to get fully recovered, have his own apartment and build a new business doing web design.

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