The board of Trustees oversee the strategic direction of Hospice at Home West Cumbria. The board is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, such as healthcare professionals, business leaders, community representatives, and individuals with relevant experience in areas such as law, investment, banking or project management.

Our Trustees are directors of the charity and have duties under company law, as well as charity law. They are expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity and stewardship; to ensure that the organisation is effective, open and accountable; and to ensure a good working relationship with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team.

The most important job of the board is to lead the hospice. The board is concerned with direction, policy and strategy. The management of the hospice is delegated to paid professional staff who report progress back to the board.

The board administers the charity and meets a minimum of four times each year. The charity ensures good governance through an effective committee structure. Each committee meets in between board meetings and supports the board with its work. The current structure allows the board to focus on strategic and big picture issues by delegating responsibility and empowering each committee to examine the detail and provide the precise level of scrutiny that is necessary. By employing this structure, it allows the committees to provide assurance to the board and support the flow of solutions, recommendations, and ideas.

Board of Trustees

Clinical Governance Committee

HR & Governance Committee

Finance & Income Generation Committee

This committee monitors and advises on Clinical Governance of the charity including quality standards, clinical risk, care delivery and patient experience and audit.

This committee monitors and advises on human resources and personnel issues including remuneration, and training and development of staff and volunteers.

This committee oversees the financial management and marketing and income generation of the charity, including audit requirements, the development of fundraising strategies, the operation of the trading company and external audit arrangements of both the charity and the trading company.

R I S K G R O U P - The Risk Group is attended by the Chairs of each committee. The Risk Group oversees the strategic risk register and reports highlights, exceptions and changes to board in order to inform the Business Plan.

Our Patron

His Majesty King Charles III has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Hospice at Home West Cumbria, announcing his decision to retain his Patronage with our charity.

In a letter from Buckingham Palace, it stated: “I am pleased to confirm that His Majesty would be delighted to retain the Patronage of Hospice at Home West Cumbria."

As HRH The Prince of Wales, King Charles was patron from 1997, and has been a supporter of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, recognising the invaluable care and support our charity provides to patients and families living with a palliative diagnosis.

Our President and Vice Presidents

Vice President

President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Our Board

Chair of HR & Governance Committee

Chair

Vice Chair

Chair of Finance and Income Generation Committee

Our Senior Management Team

Director of Funding and Communications

Chief Executive

Director of Clinical Services

The history of Hospice at Home West Cumbria

Dr Brian Herd, our founder member and long standing President, stepped down from his role in 2024.

Here you can learn more about the history of the hospice from Dr Herd himself, as he explains the motivation behind the need for the charity and the journey that has made Hospice at Home West Cumbria what it is today.