Today Cranford Hospice has a brand new Board (see below) and Charter.
Naturally, those on the selection panel are pleased with their work (media release here) … and as best I can ascertain at this point, deservedly.
I sought reactions from three people I thought would offer the best judgment as to whether this new Board would nurture Cranford back to the kind of institution that the community wants.
The first two, probably more than anyone, are seen by the informed community as embodying the values and spirit most treasured by the families who have witnessed firsthand the care Cranford has provided in the past.
First, Dr Libby Smales, Cranford’s original guiding force: “It looks like a well put together board. Let’s hope they have the necessary energy and wisdom to get things up and running asap. Given the significant skill loss over the last 2-3 years, in the context of a national and international shortage of experienced hospice/palliative care staff, this will be a challenge. The community really needs to be reassured, to have a good hospice again, and feel safe; the hurt and harm done to too many people needs acknowledging and healing. For many reasons I care deeply about Cranford and am happy to help in any way I can.”
Second, Kerryn Lum, Libby’s successor as Medical Director of the Hospice: “I am encouraged by the breadth of skills and experience in the new Board, although I don’t know all of them personally. There is still a lot of damage to be repaired, both within Cranford and its team, and in the community. The new Board has a challenge ahead of them, and I wish them all the best.”
Given the draining battle these two have fought over the future of Cranford, I’d call their statements “encouraging optimism.”
And lastly, Kevin Atkinson. Of the elected officials on the selection committee (which included Mayors Yule and Arnott), Atkinson, as the former elected chairman of the DHB, has the most thorough understanding of the issues involved, including the philosophical, and how those link to effective governance. He is full of praise for the new Board members, considering them “all passionately committed” to the community’s ideal for Cranford. And he is particularly confident about the leadership the new chairman, Ken Gilligan, will provide.
On the strength of what these three say, I think the community can be reasonably confident of the direction Cranford Hospice will take when its in-patient service re-opens in a few months. If this were simply a re-arranging of the deck chairs, nothing would have been gained. The Board members selected seem to represent the perspective many in the community have hoped for.
What a struggle it has been to get to this point, as the comments of Libby Smales and Kerryn Lum indicate. Hats off to them for persisting in their cause.
Tom Belford
Here is the new Board:
Ken Gilligan – Chairman
Ken is currently a member of the Maritime New Zealand Authority. He was formerly general manager and managing director of the Port of Napier from 1982 to 1999. Prior to this, Ken was CEO of the New Zealand Ports Authority and had a 20-year career working in a number of government departments. Ken is currently a director of City Medical Limited (Napier) and a trustee of the Napier Family Centre Financial Trust. He recently completed a term as a Director of Unison Networks Ltd and 9 years as chair of the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers Trust. Ken also served 5 years as chair of the Energy Trusts of New Zealand Inc from 2003 to 2008.
Hayley Anderson
Hayley is the general manager of the Hastings Health Centre a role she has held since 2002. She carries out this role in conjunction with her own health consultancy she set up in April 2010.
Hayley has a wealth of knowledge in the health sector as well as a Masters of Management. She is currently contracted also to Telarc/Quality health as accreditation coordinator and lead auditor. Hayley originally trained as a nurse and has acted as Director of Nursing for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and was the manager of Heretaunga Health Village for many years. Hayley has led many health initiatives as well as being a board member of the Hawke’s Bay PHO until 2008.
Tim Bevin
A fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, with a post graduate certificate in Addiction Studies, Tim has been a Hawke’s Bay GP and part time medical officer for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Addiction Services for 27 years. He is also medical advisor for Te Poutama Tautoko Addiction Programme, chairman of the directors of City Medical, and a director of the Hawke’s Bay PHO. Tim is also deputy chairman of Springhill Trust.
Judie Webster
Judie has been involved with Cranford Hospice since 1993 on the Cranford Committee, the Friends of Cranford Garden Group and for the past 14 years has been the chair of the Cranford Committee which promotes public awareness of the hospice and assists with fundraising. Judie trained as a teacher and also worked as a play therapist at Napier and Hastings Hospitals.
David Pearson
Managing partner of BDO Napier, David has been with BDO and other accountancy firms for 28 years. His expertise is in business advisory services, information technology and corporate restructuring. He is currently the chair of Eastern Institute of Technology Council, trustee of Sport Hawke’s Bay and chair of Otatara Trust.
He has held a number of public positions and is a former Hawke’s Bay cricket representative.
Michael Konig
Michael is currently the chair of Presbyterian Support Services and also manages his Hastings based business Sunshade. He has held a number of managerial CEO roles and was most recently chief executive of EnzaFoods New Zealand Limited. He is actively involved in providing mentoring advice for young businesses. Michael is a member of Round Table and Rotary and is a member of the Village Baptist Church in Havelock North. He has been a board member of PSEC since 2003. He holds degrees in science and pharmacy as well as an MBA.
Frane Rosandich
Frane Rosandick is a family group care and protection co-coordinator for Child Youth and Family services. He was chairperson for Parentline HB Inc for the last seven years until it merged and became a division of Family Works PSEC. Frane has volunteered at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison within the ‘Whare Tirohanga Maori focus” unit for the past 10 years and he is currently a member of the PSEC board.