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28/11/2002
Minister agrees to set up Hospice review panel
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne, has announced that there will be a review into the operation of the Northern Ireland Hospice.
While not commenting directly on the on the situation at the Northern Ireland Hospice, Mr Browne said that the problems which have developed at the Hospice had been watched with "growing concern".
He said: "We did not want to intervene in matters which were essentially employment matters of an independent organisation. However, we have now been invited to become involved by the council of management and there is clear public interest and concern over the affairs of the Hospice."
In a statement earlier this week the Hospice Council said that Chief Executive Tom Hill was to step aside to allow an independent review of the operation of the charity and its council's activities. The management council of the Hospice requested the Department of Health to urgently begin a full review to "conclusively establish all the facts surrounding the operation of the hospice within the past two-and-a-half year period."
However, at the subsequent AGM held on Wednesday evening where two new council members were appointed, around half of the staff walked out amid angry exchanges and calls for the meeting to be postponed until the inquiry was completed.
Today, Mr Browne said that while a review was in order as the Department had an interest through funding from the public purse given to the Hospice each year, it would be inappropriate for the department itself to conduct such a review. He said an appropriate group of people would be appointed to carry out the review and that the department's role would be limited to putting together an expert team to draw up a framework for the review to be completed within as short a timescale as possible.
The Minister added: “I have great admiration for the work of the hospice movement and my objective will be to ensure that we do all we can to find ways of helping the staff to continue to perform their valuable work.”
(SP)
While not commenting directly on the on the situation at the Northern Ireland Hospice, Mr Browne said that the problems which have developed at the Hospice had been watched with "growing concern".
He said: "We did not want to intervene in matters which were essentially employment matters of an independent organisation. However, we have now been invited to become involved by the council of management and there is clear public interest and concern over the affairs of the Hospice."
In a statement earlier this week the Hospice Council said that Chief Executive Tom Hill was to step aside to allow an independent review of the operation of the charity and its council's activities. The management council of the Hospice requested the Department of Health to urgently begin a full review to "conclusively establish all the facts surrounding the operation of the hospice within the past two-and-a-half year period."
However, at the subsequent AGM held on Wednesday evening where two new council members were appointed, around half of the staff walked out amid angry exchanges and calls for the meeting to be postponed until the inquiry was completed.
Today, Mr Browne said that while a review was in order as the Department had an interest through funding from the public purse given to the Hospice each year, it would be inappropriate for the department itself to conduct such a review. He said an appropriate group of people would be appointed to carry out the review and that the department's role would be limited to putting together an expert team to draw up a framework for the review to be completed within as short a timescale as possible.
The Minister added: “I have great admiration for the work of the hospice movement and my objective will be to ensure that we do all we can to find ways of helping the staff to continue to perform their valuable work.”
(SP)
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13 January 2006
PSNI ball raises £26,500 for Hospice Care
The PSNI have today presented a cheque worth £26,500 to Northern Ireland Hospice Care. The money was raised at a Chief Constable's ball event held in October last year in Belfast. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton made the presentation today, he said: "We are delighted to support Northern Ireland Hospice Care in this way.
PSNI ball raises £26,500 for Hospice Care
The PSNI have today presented a cheque worth £26,500 to Northern Ireland Hospice Care. The money was raised at a Chief Constable's ball event held in October last year in Belfast. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton made the presentation today, he said: "We are delighted to support Northern Ireland Hospice Care in this way.
04 December 2002
Minister moves to reassure Hospice staff
The Minister with responsibility for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has responded to an open letter from some staff at the Northern Ireland Hospice.
Minister moves to reassure Hospice staff
The Minister with responsibility for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has responded to an open letter from some staff at the Northern Ireland Hospice.
26 November 2002
NI Hospice chief steps aside for operational review
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hospice, Tom Hill, is to step aside to allow an independent review of the operation of the charity and its council's activities.
NI Hospice chief steps aside for operational review
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hospice, Tom Hill, is to step aside to allow an independent review of the operation of the charity and its council's activities.
17 July 2003
Review calls for Hospice unity
Adult and children’s services run by the Northern Ireland Hospice should be divided and run as separate charities, the report of the Northern Ireland Hospice Review Team has said. This is one of a number of key recommendations in the Report designed to restore public confidence in the organisation following the Tom Hill affair.
Review calls for Hospice unity
Adult and children’s services run by the Northern Ireland Hospice should be divided and run as separate charities, the report of the Northern Ireland Hospice Review Team has said. This is one of a number of key recommendations in the Report designed to restore public confidence in the organisation following the Tom Hill affair.
09 January 2003
Hospice review team to deliver in six months
The Northern Ireland Hospice Review Team have met in Belfast this week to begin their investigation into the management of the bitterly divided Northern Ireland Hospice.
Hospice review team to deliver in six months
The Northern Ireland Hospice Review Team have met in Belfast this week to begin their investigation into the management of the bitterly divided Northern Ireland Hospice.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
