New Chief Executive for the Hospice

EMH Welcomes Graham Elderfield

After 37 years in the NHS, most recently as Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight Healthcare Trust, Graham Elderfield was ready for a new challenge. The opportunity to join EMH as Chief Executive came at just the right time and he has now been in position for 6 months. “I really wanted to stay in healthcare because it’s been my whole professional career and end of life services is an area fairly new to me so it felt right when the position became available.” Graham commented.

Graham’s involvement in healthcare has taken him all over the country although he was born on the Island and returned here in 1996 with his wife Lyn. “When I took up my new position I thought the hospice was a small place with very few challenges and I wondered if they really needed a full time Chief Executive”, said Graham. He changed his mind on all fronts within the first week. “I think now people are looking to me to indicate the future direction of the hospice, this is something I am currently addressing with the extension of the Hospice@Home initiative and the governments own End of Life strategy soon to be announced.”

Graham is keen to encourage contact from within the hospice and the wider community and welcomes emails from anyone with suggestions, ideas or questions. He can be contacted at 01983 529511 or chiefexec@iwhospice.org

“The thing that has really shocked me”, he says, “is that healthcare is meant to go from the cradle to the grave. Millions of pounds is spent at the start of life in neo natal provision but towards the end of life we have to rely largely on charity, goodwill and a fragmented service. I’d like to think it’s my personal aim to see that the PCT is better educated about palliative care provision and the public is better informed about the choices they have toward the end of their life.”