Virtual Hospice CEO Group
The Virtual Hospice CEO Group meets monthly to discuss and address strategic issues facing the sector with the input of an expert external speaker.
The Virtual Hospice CEO Group
The group was set up in 2020 as an on-line forum for CEOs to discuss strategic challenges and opportunities in an open and supportive way. We keep numbers small enough to do this productively, but large enough to get a good range of opinions.
Over the years, we have had dozens of speakers on a spectrum of subjects ranging from strategy and governance, all aspects of income generation, to EDI, community engagement, organisational culture and volunteering.
Liz Searle, CEO at Keech Hospice is one of the longest serving members of the group.
‘I have been a member of the Virtual Hospice CEO group since the very early days and always enjoy attending the sessions. We have a great variety of speakers and I always come away with some really beneficial insights or ideas. Highly recommended!’
Below are details about some of our recent sessions. To learn more about the group, contact me.
December 2024
Hospice UK Conference
Our final session of the year discussed some of the main topics coming out of the recent Hospice UK conference in Glasgow.
Not surprise that assisted dying was top of the pack with the second reading of the Westminster bill imminent. Some felt that the subsequent result was the best outcome in the campaign for better hospice funding, as the calls for more investment in EOL care will continue to be made by both sides. It seems to be one thing everyone agrees upon.
So, no surprise either that government financial support was second. The success of Irish hospices in achieving pretty much full state funding left some deeply envious. But others feared the loss of independence this might lead to, should it happen over here.
I’m sure we will hear lots more on both topics in 2025.
November 2024
So how should Government fund hospice care?
It was fitting that the 50th Virtual Hospice CEO Session had our ever largest attendance and discussed the age-old issue of government funding. Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, took us through their highly effective advocacy campaign and we also explored some of the potential ways forward in terms of state support for hospices.
We now await the promised pre-Christmas announcement. But, as Toby said, if this is just to reverse the impact of the national insurance rise, that would not tackle the long-term structural issue of state under-funding that is causing so many hospices to reduce services.
October 2024
Should we focus on the 'core' of hospice care?
In these challenging times, the group discussed the question of whether, given worsening financial constraints, hospices may have to focus on the provision of core services.
As you might expect, there was no consensus on what constituted 'core' hospice care. But there was agreement that there will always be a need for in-patient beds providing high quality care for those with complex conditions that hospices are best placed to provide.
It was also noted that many hospices ceased their ‘traditional’ day care services during the pandemic, or have amended them with a greater emphasis on well-being services with more of an ‘out-patient’ nature. The importance of maintaining these was also agreed upon.
Another frank and open discussion which gave colleagues the chance to share experiences and discuss potential ways forward.
August & September 2024
Words, Culture and Death Cafes
Two very stimulating sessions with Rachel Beer, an experienced fundraising and comms consultant who has worked with several hospices.
- Does using terms such as ‘death’ and ‘dying’ alienate potential supporters and users?
- How do we really change public perceptions of hospice care? Is the ‘H’ word itself part of the problem?
- Are ‘death café’s effective in opening up discussions on dying – or do they potentially cause more harm than good?
- And do our cultures – including those in hospice income generation teams themselves – hinder rather than help fundraising?
So many interesting and important discussions that we are going to carry on the debate next time!
July 2024
Patient Led Conversations
Val Stangoe, CEO of St Mary's Hospice Ulverston talked us through their use of open, patient led conversations with users to get honest feedback about the care they received.
This approach needed a careful, respectful approach, as well as significant time, but proved to be invaluable. Many of the patients enjoyed having an opportunity to tell their stories, while nursing staff could be involved in the project, thereby enhancing their skills and raising their ambitions.
Powerful conversations emerge when people facing death have a willing and active listener
To read the full article in the Nursing Times go here.
June 2024
We need to talk about endings...
Charities are great starters and innovators. But perhaps the sector is not so good at recognising when projects, programmes or even organisations are coming to an end. Yet endings are very much a part of working life - especially in the challenging environment we are facing today.
Iona Lawrence from the Decelerator guided us through a discussion of the way to approach constructive endings and explained the support they provide to civil society organisations having to go through such a process.
A difficult but important conversation that will hopefully be of assistance to any of those having to undertake such a challenge.
May 2024
Social Investment
This month we were joined by James Potter and Rebecca Moss of Big Issue Invest and Mark Jarman Howe CEO, of St Helena Hospice to discuss Social Investment.
Mark’s explanation of his hospice's approach to using social investment and the added discipline and rigour it has brought to their wider financial management was very thought provoking. So too was his explanation of their move to a dual structure of a charitable arm and a commercial trading arm. Likewise, the discussion around charging for clinical services which St Helena have introduced in a number of areas. Lots to think about!
April 2024
Open Session
Our April session was an open discussion on the theme of Investing for Sustainability.
We heard from a number of participants on how they have invested in digital and IT capability to increase productivity and about their approaches to change management and the challenges this brings.
One member also explained how they are proving the case for investment in their community services to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and reduce GP appointments.
March 2024
What can learn from NZ about AD?
We were privileged to have Tony Gray, CEO of Nelson Tasman Hospice and Tina McCarthy, CEO of Tōtara Hospice speak to us about the impact of the 2019 End of Life Care Act on hospices in New Zealand.
With several parts of the UK now getting closer to passing legislation around the legalisation of Assisted Dying and the chance of a vote on this in Westminster after the election, it is vital that hospices start to consider some of the potential implications.
Tina and Tony were very open and honest in their reflections and this was of great benefit in provoking thinking amongst the group about some of these issues.
February 2024
Debra Allcock Tyler
It was great to have the always provocative and interesting Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change at our February meeting.
Debra ran through her thoughts on some of the many challenges facing the 'for impact' sector at present, ranging from governance to charity shops and resilience in leadership to equality, diversity and inclusion. No shortage of topics and great to get her honest and open reflections.
January 2024
Ann Lee
At our first session of 2024, we welcomed Ann Lee who recently stepped down as CEO of St Margaret's Hospice in Somerset. She had previously been Director of Care.
Ann spoke frankly and eloquently about some of the successes and challenges during her time at the hospice. This included organising a concert with Rod Stewart that raised £150,000, having to manage the aftermath of a complex legal case involving fraud and dealing with the public backlash to changes they had to make at one of the hospices.
Her resilience, commitment and energy through all these experiences is to be admired.
