Ashgate Hospice welcomes ICB Chair Dr Kathy McLean

Staff and patients at Ashgate Hospice welcomed the ICB chair Dr Kathy McLean this week for a tour of their upgraded facilities.

The Hospice provides palliative and end-of-life care, free of charge to people aged 18 and over. They care for people living with a life-limiting illness, including cancer, neurological diseases, and end-stage heart, kidney and lung diseases.

Dr McLean received a tour of the facilities and spoke with a range of the staff working there. She said: “It was really a very lovely place to visit, and I was so impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff.

“Hospice care is an extremely important part of our health service and getting the right surroundings and care makes a huge difference to people’s lives. I was so grateful for the time the staff all spent with me and it is incredibly useful to get insight into the model of care when thinking about the way we commission health services for our population.”

Work to enhance outpatient services completed in April. The project saw the charity’s Day Services area, as well as the main reception, waiting area, clinic rooms and fundraising hub upgraded. 

Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief Executive at Ashgate Hospice, said: “It was lovely to welcome Dr McLean to the hospice and introduce her to some of our incredible teams. Visits like this are a great opportunity to show the vital role we play as part of the wider healthcare system, working alongside NHS and social care colleagues to make sure people in North Derbyshire get the compassionate, expert care they need at the end of their lives.”