St Michael’s Hospice is delighted to welcome Matt Fellows as its new Chief Executive.
He is replacing Mike Keel who has retired having spent eight years at the helm of the Bartestree-based charity.
Matt joins at a time of celebration for St Michael’s which is marking 40 years of providing palliative and end-of-life care to people across Herefordshire and its borders.
“St Michael’s is a charity built from the vision of some incredible individuals over 40 years ago, which has been led and supported by equally incredible individuals since,” said Matt.
“To be joining those individuals is a fantastic honour and I feel remarkably lucky to be part of that journey. St Michael’s is at the heart of, and in the hearts of, the community across Herefordshire and beyond.
“I am looking forward to working with people and organisations from across our community to ensure we can provide more care for more people.”
Matt joins from Age UK Gloucestershire where he spent two years as Chief Executive.
In the last year, St Michael’s has cared for 2,500 people, greater than any previous year in its history. This care is provided in its Inpatient Unit in Bartestree, through its Day Services at the same venue, and in people’s homes through the Herefordshire Hospice at Home service provided by St Michael’s in partnership with Marie Curie. Support is also given to patients’ loved ones.
Despite the increasing demand on the Hospice’s free-of-charge care, less than a quarter of the charity’s care costs are covered by the government. The shortfall is delivered through fundraising by the community.
“St Michael’s can only provide its incredible services because of the generosity of our community and the hard work of our staff and volunteers,” added Matt.
“All of us remain committed to delivering more care for more people, but it’s important the government meets its funding obligations and that local commissioners deliver on their responsibilities to ensure that great support and care is available for all at the end of their lives.
“Receiving the best possible support and care at the end of one’s life shouldn’t be dependent on the generosity of their community or the work of volunteers. I’m passionate about ensuring there is real equity of service provision across Herefordshire and that Local Authorities and health services step up their responses in this regard.”