QCH Report FINAL V2 - Flipbook - Page 3
Queenscourt Hospice (Registered number 2102320)
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2024 (continued)
Chair’s Foreword
From its inception and certainly as long as I have been associated with it, Queenscourt Hospice has
valued a clear and well-developed culture of consistent development and improvement in both our
services and our governance. During the past year, this was demonstrated by two key developments.
The first was the introduction of the Virtual Ward. Our senior medical and clinical team have pioneered
and led this initiative, which is covered in more detail elsewhere in this report. It has once more put the
Hospice at the cutting edge of the development of Hospice care in the UK.
The second is the work we have been doing as a Council of Trustees and senior team to develop a
more robust Board Assessment Framework. This approach will enhance our ability to manage and
mitigate existing and emerging risks, enhancing our ability to provide robust governance and support
to the organisation.
The new framework will provide us, as a Council of Trustees, with improved and streamlined reporting
and accountability. We will make greater and more effective use of our subcommittee structure, using
the Advice, Alert and Assure approach for reporting to the full Council. In depth challenge and review
by Trustees at subcommittee level will result in continued improvement of our organisational
governance and assurance.
Our Impact Statement is based on a thorough analysis of how and where we provide key support.
However, what it really shows is the enormous difference our services have made and continue to make
to our local communities. I am immensely proud of our achievements.
Once again, this year, the staff of Queenscourt have worked wonders for the patients and those closest
to them. I will never stop feeling humbled by the wonderful services they provide. Their professionalism
and care have ensured that our patients receive compassionate human contact when they needed it
most. I am in awe at the commitment and compassion of the entire team at Queenscourt. I never tire of
singing their praises.
When I refer to the entire team at Queenscourt, I am also, of course, including the administrative staff.
They have provided essential support and continued to work to not only keep Queenscourt ticking over
but to strive for improvements and greater efficiency wherever they can. Their dedication and
commitment is outstanding and alongside the patient-facing staff, forms the foundation of our continuing
existence.
I would like to place on record my gratitude to my fellow members of Queenscourt Council. They provide
their skills, wisdom and enthusiasm to support and challenge the Directors and staff to achieve even
greater levels of excellence and care. The Council operates within the framework of law and practice
established by several regulatory authorities, meaning that we are held to very high standards in the
performance of our duties We maintain a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise on Council, through
ongoing review and recruitment, to ensure we meet all of those requirements.
I would also like to place on record my gratitude to our communities for their support, both in terms of
money contributed and in terms of the time they give to help us to continue providing our services. This
has been essential in such difficult and challenging financial times. As always, our volunteers have
provided immense help to Queenscourt. Their help, support and energy has been invaluable, and it
goes without saying that we could not continue to provide the care we do without them.
Our three Directors, Ms Debbie Pierce-Lawson, Dr Claire Finnegan and Mrs Louise Charnock have
filled their roles magnificently this year. Queenscourt is fortunate to have such able and dedicated
executive leaders. I have great confidence that we are and will remain in safe hands. Queenscourt has
a well-earned reputation for excellence, and I am certain that our Directors, Staff, Trustees and
Volunteers will always endeavour to maintain and enhance that reputation.
Anthony Crewe
Chair of Trustees
17/09/2024
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