Introducing Our New Chief Nurse
We recently welcomed our new Chief Nurse to St Gemma’s. Heather McClelland is an experienced nurse with strong clinical and professional skills and a passion for delivering quality and improvement.
It is her role to support the ongoing provision of the best possible care and quality of life for local people both at the Hospice site and in the community. Heather has been in post for three months and told us her first impressions of being part of the team:
“Having worked in healthcare roles across Leeds for many years, I was already familiar with St Gemma’s and its marvellous reputation in the city and beyond. Needless to say I am now very pleased to be part of the Hospice Leadership Team as Chief Nurse. It has been a pleasure to meet with the team, both those ‘on the front line’ and behind the scenes. I’m privileged to be leading a team of committed, skilled and hard-working staff, supported by an army of dedicated volunteers, providing outstanding care and support.
As well as doing our best to provide outstanding care for patients and those around them, we appreciate how all the ‘little things’ also make such a difference. In my short time at the Hospice, I’ve seen a wedding blessing for a patient’s son and a baby shower for a patient’s daughter. We have facilitated a visit to the grave of a recently bereaved patient, a final trip home, a trip to watch the football, a trip to a music concert and we’ve even arranged a personal message to a patient from a celebrity.
It’s these gestures of kindness and ‘going the extra mile’ that are so appreciated by patients and their families. We received a message on social media the other day which said: ‘Thank goodness we have St Gemma’s in our city. The hospice is a shining light in a time of darkness.’
I’m very grateful to be part of that and look forward to my future at St Gemma’s. Thank you to the community and our supporters for making our vital work possible.”
Pictured here are Lucy and Richard, celebrating their wedding blessing at the Hospice together with Richard’s mum, Maria. Maria was an in-patient at St Gemma’s and has sadly since died; we are grateful to the family for allowing us to share their story.
If you’re interested in joining our team at St Gemma’s, visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/vacancies to find out more.
Visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/HLT to meet the full Hospice Leadership Team.