The Hospice Trustees are responsible for the governance of the Hospice. The role of the Board is to ensure that the charity functions within the law and in accordance with Charity Commission rules; that resources are managed efficiently; that there is a clear overall vision and strategy; and that all policies and procedures are in place to manage risk.
All major policy decisions concerning the overall direction of the Hospice are made by the Board guided by the advice of the Senior Management Team. The Board meets bi monthly. A number of Board Steering Groups, each with Trustee representation, operate to monitor the different aspects of the Hospice. The Board elects Trustees for a three year term of office.
Job Role & Company: Retired Hospital Doctor
Previous roles have included: Consultant in Anaesthesia, Palliative Care and Pain Medicine at Royal Oldham Hospital along with Medical Director at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Years in Industry: 38
Key Skills: Educator, awareness of health care system and information technology in healthcare
Dr Cook has been involved with the Hospice since 1992 and is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Dr Cook qualified as a Doctor in 1979, before carrying out training in anaesthesia. He began his consultancy role at the Royal Oldham Hospital in 1988 before joining Dr Kershaw’s as Medical Director in 2005, and then becoming Interim CEO in 2015. Dr Cook played an instrumental role in the planning and delivery of the new Inpatient Unit and the landscaping of the new gardens. Additionally, Dr Cook helped to set up Greater Manchester Hospices’ Group (GMH).
Job Role & Company: Retired, previously a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Years in Industry: 36
Key Skills: Medical and Surgical Experience, Organisational Leadership and Clinical Governance
Jonathan started at Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in January 2015, after being asked to join to support with clinical governance. Jonathan previously worked for the NHS as a private practice surgeon before becoming a partner of a private group providing care to NHS patients. Prior to joining Dr Kershaw’s Board of Trustees, Jonathan was Chair of the Pennine Acute Trust Local Negotiating Committee as well as being Chair of the Hospital of Medical Staff Defence Trust and a member of the British Medical Association’s Central Consultants Committee.
Job Role & Company: Partner at Wrigley Claydon Solicitors, Head of Wills and Probate
Years in Industry: 30
Key Skills: Legal skills, volunteering, chaplaincy and fundraising
Rachel has been Company Secretary for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice since 2019. As Head of Wills and Probate, Rachel prepares and advises on Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate. Rachel’s career highlight involves acting for the Prime Minister when he was being sued in Oldham County Court. As Company Secretary Rachel’s role involves dealing with administrative duties at Company House and providing advice regarding Legacies and Wills. Rachel enjoys being part of a heart-warming and worthwhile organisation. Alongside being Company Secretary Rachel is also a Trustee of Lydgate Community Association and is a Youth Leader at St Anne’s Church Lydgate.
Job Role & Company: Head of Business Development – PG Mutual
Years in Industry: 27
Key Skills: Sales & Marketing, market analysis, product review & enhancement, project management, team recruitment, mentoring and management
Stephen joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in April 2021, and has been in the Financial Services and Mutuals industry for 27 years. As a Trustee, Stephen brings experience in sales, marketing and customer service to the Board. Stephen became a Trustee due to his desire to give back to his local community and to be able to use his knowledge and experiences to help the Hospice. Alongside being a Trustee Stephen is an active member of The Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM), The Protect Association and The International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF).
Job Role & Company: Retired Civil Servant
Years in Industry: 34
Key Skills: Communication and PR
Eileen joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2023 after 34 years in Government communications. On retirement, Eileen was Northern Divisional Director of the Central Office of Information which was part of the Cabinet Office. She led on many Government PR campaigns and initiatives right across Government. Eileen felt she still had something to offer and wished to support a local charity. She has long been aware of the Hospice and its valuable role, and she felt she could give some support. The highlight of Eileen’s career was being invited to a party on the Royal Yacht Britannia, hosted by The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to thank all those who had been involved in organising the commemorations for the Battle of the Atlantic.
Job Role & Company: Director of Marketing & Customer Engagement – Classroom Secrets Limited, Halifax
Years in Industry: 35
Key Skills: Sales & Marketing, Marketing leadership, traditional and digital marketing, experienced business transformation facilitator
Richard joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2023 and has over 35 year’s experience in working within a diverse range of sectors including retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and online retail. Richard is keen to use his wealth of marketing experience to give advice on how marketing of the Hospice and its services can be improved.
Job Role & Company: Senior Manager, BT Enterprise
Years in Industry: 37
Key Skills: Business transformation, governance, customer focus, teamwork, leadership, analysis
David joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2023. He is a Senior Manager at BT Enterprise, his previous BT roles include Business Consulting, Programme Management, Business Transformation and Service Delivery for major public and corporate requirements. Prior to BT, David held customer operations roles in Travel and Financial Services. David is proud to have worked for several Health services and assignments including helping launch and implement the national advisory and health information service NHS 24 in Scotland. He also helped to run and manage preparations and readiness activities for the UK National Pandemic Flu Line Service with the NHS for several years. David wanted to support Dr Kershaw’s as it gives so much comfort and end of life care to so many deserving people in our community.
Job Role & Company: Chartered Company Director
Years in Industry: 25
Key Skills: Business strategy, financial and operational performance, leadership, governance, construction
Mark joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2023. Mark is a Chartered Company Director and is Managing Director of a local business operating within the construction industry. Mark wanted to do something positive for the community and felt that becoming a Trustee was the best way to utilise his skills and experience to help and support others. He can also support the Hospice with projects relating to buildings and maintenance including facilities, people management and health and safety.
Job Role & Company: Former Senior Vice President of Xerox
Years in Industry: 33
Key Skills: Leadership, strategy, operations, change management, client relationships
Julie joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2024. She has a long history with the Hospice, as she has volunteered on the Reception Team and as a Hartley mascot since 2021. Julie’s career has seen her lead service delivery and operations to deliver results across multinational and multidisciplinary teams. Working with clients across the government, health, retail and financial services sectors, she has developed positive team cultures and achieved performance targets. Julie hopes to add value by combining her international business experience and passion for the work of Dr Kershaw’s for the benefit of its patients, community and Hospice Team.
Job Role & Company: Divisional Clinical Governance Manager (NHS)
Years in Industry: 17
Key Skills: Clinical governance, risk management, patient safety, education, leadership, operational management
Daryl joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2024. In his current role, he oversees all aspects of clinical governance for the Oldham Adult Community Services and the Allied Health Professional Services at The Royal Oldham Hospital. His current role includes the management of clinical incidents, Patient Safety Reviews (investigations) and learning, complaints and PALS submissions, inquests, claims and risk management, and NICE and CQC compliance. He is also a registered Dental Nurse with the General Dental Council. Daryl was inspired to join Dr Kershaw’s after his grandmother received end-of-life care on its Inpatient Unit, and hopes to help to shape the future strategic direction of the Hospice and its services to best serve the residents of Oldham and beyond.
Job Role & Company: Former Associate Director of Nursing and Governance (NHS)
Years in Industry: 41
Key Skills: Governance, policy development, quality assurance and improvement, CQC compliance
Nicola joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2024. Prior to retiring, she was a registered nurse and implemented a number of initiatives which helped to improve patient care. She now works as an independent fostering panel member for a local athority and an independent fostering agency. Nicola hopes to support the Hospice in reaching its aspiration to achieve ‘Outstanding’ CQC compliance.
Job Role & Company: Director of IT at FourSynergy Group
Years in Industry: 28
Key Skills: IT strategy, business continuity, disaster recovery, improvement via technology, people and processes
Matt joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2024. In his current role, he is responsible for strategy and delivery of FourSynergy Group and its partners’ IT landscape. After taking a leap of faith seven years ago, Matt swapped a career in sunny California to contribute to the growth of a small UK organisation to 2,500 staff. He is Chair of Trustees at Oldham Foodbank, where he also volunteers as a driver. Matt plans to use his experience to alleviate the worries of non-core activities and enable Hospice staff to focus on delivering quality care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Job Role & Company: Locum Nurse Practitioner at Woodlands Medical Practice
Years in Industry: 40
Key Skills: Primary care nursing, knowledge of long-term conditions, specialist expertise in respiratory conditions
Kathryn joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2024. She was previously a nurse partner and has served in commissioning roles in the Oldham health economy, including as a Clinical Director for Respiratory Disease. Kathryn also played a lead role in commissioning the Pennine Lung Service. Kathryn has strategic insight into running healthcare organisations, as well as clinical knowledge of service provision. As a Trustee, Kathryn hopes to provide further advice to support patients.
The Hospice’s board governance is managed by Steering Groups with key responsibilities as follows:
Clinical Governance – Lindsey Harper (Chair), Matthias Hohmann (Vice Chair)
Safety, Quality, Workforce, Innovation & Development – Adele Doherty (Chair), Mandi Halton (Vice Chair)
Information Governance – Matthias Hohmann (Chair), Rebecca Bentham (Vice Chair)
Financial Resourcing – Adele Doherty (Chair), Sabrina Dawson (Vice Chair)
Board Secretary – Mrs Beverley Schofield (PA to CEO)
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice work in partnership with key groups including:
Oldham End of Life Partnership
Oldham Dementia Partnership
National Association for Hospice at Home
Executive Clinical Leads in Hospice and Palliative Care North West Group
North West Hospice Groups
Hospice UK
Strategic Clinical Network End of Life Group
Oldham Health Community Consortium
Responsible Officer and Local Intelligence Networks (NHS England)
North West Palliative Care Physicians
North West Pain Group
North West Association Palliative Day Care Leaders
GPs
Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Teams
Greater Manchester Hospices Strategic Partnership
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