Thank you to Amanda Hallums and welcome to our new Chair

After eight years of dedicated service, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Amanda Hallums, who has been a valued member of the Board of Trustees since 2017. Amanda stepped down in June as Interim Chair, handing over to a new Chairman Mike Palfreman.

During her time with Saint Francis Hospice, Amanda has made a significant and lasting contribution, bringing both professional expertise and personal commitment to her role. Reflecting on her time, Amanda shared:

"It has been a pleasure to have been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2017. During my tenure I have served under three Chairs. Firstly, Peter Crutchett, who it was an absolute privilege to have known and worked with. Then Paul Gwinn and Mary.

It was a pleasure to serve the majority of my time on the Care and Quality Committee. My experience as a Chief Nurse and as a Director of Quality, Risk, Patient Safety and Experience stood me in good stead to contribute and work with my wonderful clinical colleagues. I was also a member of the People and Culture Committee and more recently Finance and Digital. Again, my broad NHS background helped me support their work as well as contribute to the future plans of the hospice in terms of its strategic direction.

I was appointed as interim chair last autumn, a position I was proud to hold and serve. Saint Francis Hospice has seen many successes and achievements, all of which are a result of strong and committed teamwork which I am proud to have been part of.

I am sorry to be stepping away but as Trustees we have set terms in which we serve. I have been involved in the recruitment of our new Chair and the new Trustees, and I know I am leaving the Board of Trustees in excellent hands. I will continue to support Saint Francis Hospice in every way I can, as will my family, as we have also had first-hand experience of the very best care for which we are truly grateful."

Grazina Berry, CEO at Saint Francis Hospice, added, “We are also pleased to welcome Mike Palfreman as the new Chairman of the Board. Mike brings over 30 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, including 15 years as CEO of Haven House Children’s Hospice and later Jersey Hospice Care. Having lived locally for most of his life, Mike has strong personal connections to Saint Francis Hospice and a deep passion for hospice and palliative care.

As we thank Amanda for her outstanding service and leadership, we look forward to this next chapter under Mike’s chairmanship.”