On Friday 04 April, Willen Hospice said goodbye to Christopher Eyes (Chief Executive for the past 10 years). Staff, Trustees and Friends met in the newly furbished Day Hospice to bid Christopher and his wife Mavis a fond farewell.
Christopher was responsible for expanding the Hospice’s services including the Hospice at Home, Lymphoedema, Befriending and Family Support. In addition, he instigated a major refurbishment of the hospice building, significantly improving the environment for patients and reflecting the ethos and culture of the Hospice. Willen will always be dear to his heart and he will always have a very special place in the hearts of everyone at the Hospice.

We wish him a very happy retirement.

Christopher has handed over the reins to Paul Hinson (previously Director of Nursing and Patient Services). Paul is looking forward to his new role as Chief Executive immensely:

“My long-term vision for the Hospice is to meet the challenges of caring for patients wherever they choose that care to be and also to better meet the needs of non-cancer patients in the future. I would also really like to achieve financial stability for the Hospice – where we have enough predictable income streams to plan for the future with confidence. It will be fantastic to lead such a positive and dynamic organisation and I will strive to continue the development of the service to best meet the needs of the people in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, with the help of all who give so generously to the Hospice.”

Leanne Woodward (previously Unit Manager,Isabel Hospice, QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City) becomes the new Director of Nursing and Patient Services. Leanne, who entered the profession thirty four years ago, has a broad experience in nursing including her work as a Macmillan Breast Care Nurse Specialist providing care to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. She said:

“I am hoping to build on the Hospice’s core principles of personal choice, dignity and respect, and to develop services to enhance the quality of care patients receive. I am also keen to form relationships with key stakeholders and external professional bodies with the intention of upholding Willen Hospice’s excellent reputation in the community.”