An introduction from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the position of Chief Executive at St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

St Wilfrid’s has just celebrated 40 years of providing high quality care to people at the end of life, and support to the bereaved. The modern, nine year-old hospice building is in Eastbourne, but the services are also available to people living in the East Sussex towns of Seaford, Polegate, Hailsham, Heathfield and Uckfield and in the surrounding villages – a population of c.235,000 in total. Between 1,000 and 1,500 people are newly referred each year for palliative and end of life care.  

St Wilfrid’s has recently successfully concluded its latest five-year strategic plan with significant growth in reach and breadth of services, consistently high-quality standards and excellent levels of satisfaction from patients, families and carers alike. 

St Wilfrid’s operates as part of the local health and social care system through partnerships with the local NHS Hospitals Trust, collaborations with General Practice, other neighbouring independent hospices and a multitude of local care homes. It also receives grant income from local NHS commissioners. However, it is an independent charity, governed by our Board of Trustees and dependent on voluntary – fundraised and earned – income for 70% of its annual budget. The tremendous support it receives from members of its local community is critical to its continuation and its long-established, hard-won reputation enables it to continue to attract high-calibre staff, dedicated volunteers and committed supporters.

After nearly six years’ service, the current Chief Executive has recently announced his intention to retire at the end of the year. This creates a terrific opportunity for a new Chief Executive to work with the Board and the Leadership Team to set a strategy for the coming years, ensuring St Wilfrid’s continues to be relevant, innovative and responsive to the needs of its local communities.

We welcome applications from individuals keen to take on this challenge.

Shaun O’Leary
Chair of Trustees