New CEO takes the helm at Keech Hospice Care

Liz Searle has been appointed as CEO of Keech Hospice Care with immediate effect.

Liz joined Keech Hospice Care, the adult hospice for Luton and South Beds and the children’s hospice for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes in 2012 as its Clinical Director and has been the charity’s acting CEO since September 2015.

Liz said she is delighted to have been appointed and will continue to build upon the hospices excellent reputation.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of CEO in what is Keech Hospice Care’s 25th anniversary year because I passionately believe in delivering high quality care in the right place at the right time,” said Liz. “I am 100% committed to Keech Hospice Cares future and am proud to be heading up a hospice which is a leader in its field. The opportunity to take a great organisation onwards and upwards is a fantastic. I am committed to providing individualised end of life care as determined by our patients and their families.

“I have a clear vision for Keech Hospice Care’s future and recognise we must endeavour to continue to understand the needs, preferences and wishes of all of our patients so we can carry on developing services tailored to them. There is only once chance to get things right for patients and their loved ones.

“We know a lot more people still need our help and we need to find these people. We must extend our reach and ensure wherever people live within our community, or whatever illness they are coping with, everyone has equal and early access to our services be it needed in their own home, in hospital, at school or at the hospice itself.

“To achieve this will require building on the exceptional support from our community and ensuring all of our services are cost-effective, evidence based and provide excellent value for money.

“Keech Hospice Care belongs to the community and we need to embrace it, cherish it and help it to flourish. The mark of a civilised society is how we support people at the end of their lives. We’re still a death-denying society, so we must help to change society’s attitude if we are going help patients and families plan better,” Liz said.

With over 35 years’ experience in the care sector, Liz began her career as a staff nurse before progressing to sister, clinical nurse specialist and clinical palliative care teacher. Her career highlights include Director of Education &and Professional Support for Macmillan Cancer Relief, and Head of Palliative Care at Sue Ryder Care where she managed six hospices.

Clive Medlam, Chair of Trustees at Keech Hospice Care added: “We’re delighted to appoint Liz on a permanent basis to the key role of CEO at Keech Hospice Care. Liz has already played a fundamental role as part of the charity’s Senior Leadership Team and we’re very confident of her ability to embrace the opportunities and tackle the challenges that lie ahead for Keech Hospice Care and hospice care as a whole.”

For further information contact Lorna Milton, Senior PR Officer at Keech Hospice Care on 01582 497874/ 07824606856 or at lmilton@keech.org.uk.