On the move in September

New CEO of St Oswald’s Hospice Steph Edusei

We round up the latest appointments and movements in the hospice sector.

St Oswald’s Hospice appoints new CEO

St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Newcastle, has appointed Steph Edusei as their new chief executive.

Steph has a wealth of experience in senior roles in the local NHS, including managing hospital and ambulance services, CCG commissioning, and most recently as Chief Executive of Newcastle and Gateshead’s Healthwatch services.

Commenting on her new role, she said: “Entering this new chapter, leading St Oswald’s in the middle of a pandemic hasn’t been how I imagined things would be. However, I’ve quickly learnt what a fantastic organisation the hospice is and being part of that is a dream come true for me.

“I’m really looking forward to learning more about what we do and the people that do it and ensuring that we continue to provide outstanding care to our patients and families. In the short time I’ve been at St Oswald’s I’ve been impressed on a daily basis by the support, skill, knowledge and dedication of our wonderful team of staff and volunteers.

Steph replaces James Ellam who took early retirement in July after almost 14 years in the post.

New CEO for St Catherine’s Hospice

Stephen Greenhalgh, chief executive of St Catherine’s Hospice in Preston has retired after 15 years leading the charity.

Since 2005, Stephen worked with colleagues to deliver a multi-million pound redevelopment programme of facilities centred on the inpatient unit and the onsite lymphoedema clinic. He oversaw the opening of the hospice gardens and creation of St Catherine’s Park, and the conversion of a derelict barn into a community hub and café. Stephen also steered the hospice through the 2008 recession, and this year’s Covid-19 pandemic.

“St Catherine’s is amazing and I feel deeply humbled and privileged to have played a small part in its fabulous story” Stephen said. “For me, St Catherine’s is far more than a hospice building, a philosophy of care and a community of amazing people. We are part of an ‘end of life matters’ movement determined to improve the most underfunded part of 21^st century life.”

The Board of Trustees has appointed Lynn Kelly as Stephen’s successor, who has been Director of Knowledge and Technical at the hospice for the last nine years. In this role she’s managed education, training, volunteering, IT, facilities and clinical administration.

Of the new role, she said: “St Catherine’s is truly a wonderful place – there’s kindness and creativity in every corner. It goes without saying that there are challenges ahead but also exciting opportunities too.

“I feel certain that the amazing team we have here will take us from strength to strength over the coming months and years – we have achieved so much together already and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues and our amazing communities as we move forward.”

Founder of St Giles Hospice dies

St Giles Hospice in Birmingham recently shared the news that their founder, the Reverend Canon Paul Brothwell had died at the age of 83.

Ordained in 1965, he later became Vicar of Whittington. In 1979 he led a project to create the hospice in the village’s old vicarage; four years later St Giles Hospice opened. He remained a key figure at the charity and was the hospice chaplain until leaving the area in 1992.

Paying tribute to him, Dr Emma Hodges, CEO of St Giles, said: “He was a visionary, an inspiration and a warm and generous human being. I’ll miss him greatly and will continue to do all I can to honour what he started all those years ago.”

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice names footballing legend as Ambassador

Former England footballer and World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst has been appointed as the very first ambassador for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in Cheltenham.

Sir Geoff made football history as the only man to score a hat trick in a World Cup final when England had a 4-2 victory over West Germany in 1966. He played football professionally for almost 20 years for West Ham, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

“I am delighted to accept the role of ambassador for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice” he said. “Our daughter Claire was cared for by the Sue Ryder Nurses there in 2010 and so the hospice means an awful lot to me and my family.

”The expert nursing care and medical support that Claire received at Leckhampton Court meant that we could simply concentrate on being there for Claire as a family. The hospice is quiet and peaceful and the staff ensured that Claire’s final days were as comfortable as possible. I’m looking forward to supporting the hospice and helping to promote the work of Sue Ryder.”