CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ARDGOWAN HOSPICE

TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROLE…

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the rewarding position of Chief Executive Officer of Ardgowan Hospice in Greenock.

The Board of Trustees are seeking a talented individual who has the necessary professionalism, vision, credibility, commitment, resilience and leadership qualities to ensure that Ardgowan Hospice continues to deliver the highest level of quality care for the community of Inverclyde.

Ardgowan Hospice was founded in 1981 and this year we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Over the years, our team of dedicated staff and volunteers have earned a well-deserved reputation for delivering a highly valued quality service to patients and families living with a life-limiting illness and as the new Chief Executive Officer, you will have the opportunity to make a substantial contribution to the community, who support us so generously in many different ways.

In this role, you will oversee the continued development and delivery of our excellent specialist palliative care services to meet the changing needs of the community and you will also safeguard our long-term financial sustainability through effective, sound, financial management.

You will also enjoy the full support of the Board of Trustees with whom you will work closely, and we hope that the information detailed within the role profile will help you decide if this position is for you.

If you are interested in this opportunity to make a real difference and believe that you have the necessary skill set, expertise and qualities which we are seeking, we look forward to receiving your application which will be carefully considered.

Yours sincerely,

Keith A J McKellar
Chairman, Board of Trustees

Ardgowan Hospice, founded in 1981, serves patients and families living with a life-limiting illness in Inverclyde and is the centre for specialist palliative care expertise for the area’s population of approximately 80,000.  Services are provided free at the point of access.

With 80 staff (approximately 69 full time equivalents) and just over 300 volunteers, our budgeted expenditure for 2021/2022 is £3.2m. Receiving £1.4m from the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) under a Service Level Agreement for the provision of specialist palliative care* other income is secured through fundraising (donations, legacies, grants, and trusts); retail activities (six retail shops and a large furniture and electrical store); and our Hospice Lottery.

Our Vision is to provide access to the best possible care and support for everyone living with a life-limiting illness and our mission is to provide the highest quality care for patients and families living with a life-limiting illness. The motto of Ardgowan Hospice is ‘Together we care’, and the key values that underpin all activities undertaken by the Hospice have recently been revised in line with this sentiment and are:

  • Compassion
  • Appreciation
  • Respect
  • Equity
It is an exciting time of development at Ardgowan Hospice in its 40th anniversary year; we are seeking to develop new models of care, both within the Inpatient Unit and in the community, and greater partnership working across the three Clyde Hospices (ACCORD Hospice, Paisley and St Vincent’s Hospice, Howwood) and the NHS. The Hospice aims to promote excellence in palliative care through education, enablement, and support throughout the community.

Our services currently include:

  • An eight-bedded Inpatient Care Unit
  • A Community Nurse Specialist Advice service
  • Patient and Family Support Services including social work, pre and post bereavement counselling and childhood bereavement support
  • A Palliative Medicine service to hospitals in the West of Scotland, including dedicated Consultant support to Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Supportive Care and Specialist Palliative Care Out-Patient clinics
  • Information, Education and Psychological support for patients and carers
  • Physiotherapy
As indicated above, the Hospice serves a population of around 80,000. The population of Inverclyde has been declining for over 20 years and fell by 18,000 (18%) between 1981 and 2001. It is forecast to drop by a further 14% by 2024.

Inverclyde is a diverse community with great variation of living circumstances; 42% of its people live in areas which are defined as the most deprived 20% across Scotland, with the most deprived postcode in Scotland being identified as central Greenock. Unemployment is above both the Scottish and United Kingdom national average, however, within the Hospice catchment are also areas of significant affluence, prime housing, and private education.

The inequalities of Inverclyde not only impact the life chances of its residents, but ultimately their mortality, with a varying mortality rate of eight years between the richest and poorest areas of the region. Despite this, Inverclyde is an area known for its strong, interconnected community and vibrant network of third sector organisations and its citizens are generous supporters of the Hospice which is at the heart of all areas of its diverse community.

Inverclyde is an area of immense beauty and is only circa 30 minutes by train from Glasgow and easily commutable by car.  In a stunning location, next to the Clyde, the area offers active boating and water-sport activities and overlooks Argyll, the gateway to the Highlands, which is only 20 minutes away by ferry.  Surrounding areas offer good family facilities; recommended restaurants; and excellent schools, both public and fee paying.

The Hospice is regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and was last inspected in December 2019 with the following outcomes:

  • People’s experience of care and the involvement of carers and families = Good
  • Safe delivery of care = Good
  • Leadership of improvement and change = Good

* Ardgowan Hospice is also part-funded by Inverclyde HSCP to provide a compassionate communities project – ‘Compassionate Inverclyde’

Reporting to the Board of Trustees as Chief Executive you will have overall responsibility for the strategic leadership and operational management of the Hospice, ensuring it continues to serve the local community by delivering a high-quality service that places patients and their families at the centre of all activities.

Interested candidates should provide a tailored CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Applicants will be longlisted / shortlisted by matching the details given in their CV and covering letter / supporting statement against the job description. We would therefore ask applicants to provide clear evidence to show how your experience, skills and knowledge match those requirements as well as why you are interested in the role.

Recruitment timetable

Closing date for applications: Monday 4th October
Short list meeting (Ardgowan Hospice & Livingston James): Tuesday 19th October
Panel interview: Friday 29th October

The recruitment of this position is managed by Livingston James