Bolton Hospice to lend a helping hand to struggling Bury Hospice

Bury Hospice has recently faced financial shortfalls, the resignation of its chairman and three trustees as well as allegations of unfair treatment of two staff members who sought to bring grievances against senior staff.

Allegations persist that senior management sometimes make decisions that trustees feel unable to properly question and there is a feeling within the hospice that a cultural change is needed to put such rumours to bed.

The idea is that linking up with Bolton Hospice will allow Bury Hospice to recruit a new board of trustees, with appointments independently scrutinised.

A Bolton Hospice spokesman said: "We are sharing our governance and leadership knowledge, skills and expertise in any areas identified as being of most use to the Bury Hospice board as it transitions from their old to new board of trustees."

Bury Hospice lost £600,000 in the 2013/14 tax year, its finances have since recovered.

A Bury Hospice spokesman: "After a difficult 18 months, the trustees and management are pleased to announce that Bury Hospice has finally been able to balance the accounts, and even have a small surplus of £7,000.00 for 2014/15.

"Furthermore, we are also projecting a small surplus for the current 2015/16 financial year.

"The current acting chairman (Margaret Lloyd) and trustees are planning to co-opt two independent and experienced trustees from Bolton Hospice to assist in the recruitment and selection process, along with guidance, support and facilitation from the Bolton Hospice chief executive officer (Dr Leigh Vallance).

"This is to ensure that these appointments are seen as independent and transparent, and also to aid the development of the new board and their transition into their governance role in tackling the challenges ahead.”

Mrs Lloyd said: "We are very aware of the impact that the events of the past 18 months have had on people's confidence in how Bury Hospice is run.

"We have, throughout these difficult times, always made sure that we remain focussed on our top priority, which is, and always will be, the provision of safe, compassionate, quality, caring services for our patients and their loved ones.

"At the same time, we are also wise and experienced enough to know that, in order to move forward, we need to attract and recruit more new trustees — free and unhindered by past events, so their full attention can be given to the future growth and development of Bury Hospice.”

A Bolton Hospice spokesman added: "In recent months, we have been very aware of the challenges faced by one of our neighbouring hospices and feel that as a well-run, well led, well respected hospice that we should offer our support to Bury Hospice during what is a very challenging period for them.

"The time given will not be to the detriment to Bolton Hospice and we feel strongly that we should do all we can to help ensure that our neighbours continue to receive excellent hospice care from their local hospice."