Burrswood welcomes its new Chief Executive
Friday, 7 September 2007
On 24th September, Burrswood, the Christian hospital and Healing centre at Groombridge, welcomed the arrival of Dr Gareth Tuckwell as its new Chief Executive.Gareth had previously been Director at the hospital between 1986 and 1999. This ends a period of some 15 months without a Chief Executive during which time Michelle Templeman, Deputy CEO, has ably held the reigns and steered the organisation forward pending his arrival. Gareth rejoins the organization at an exciting time following the public launch of the "Phase V -Forward in Care" Appeal in July. The "Forward in Care" programme - a progressive development project aimed at bringing the organisation's facilities and services up to the highest modern standards as befits this flagship hospital - was started under Gareth's previous leadership in 1996.
Commenting on his return, Gareth says, "I do not see this as 'going back' to a post I held before. It is going forward to a new and challenging role that will bring fresh demands and opportunities along the way. I am thrilled to be appointed to this position, particularly at a time when the unique interdisciplinary care modelled at Burrswood Christian Hospital has so much to offer within today's health care system."
"Demand for beds here has increased by 40% over the last 4 years, necessitating an ambitious programme of expansion. I think this reflects the fact that people now recognise more that illness is so often unhelpfully seen in terms of specialties, sub-specialties and procedures, rather than being centred around individuals and the totality of their need, which often involves spiritual and emotional pain."
Gareth was previously Clinical Director of Hospice in the Weald, Kent, having been a Regional Director of Macmillan from 2000 to 2003. He was appointed to the Board of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2003. Qualifying in Medicine in 1971, he also obtained a Diploma in Palliative Medicine from the University of Wales in 1992. Continuing his strong links with palliative care and the Hospice movement, Gareth is also a Vice-President of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham and Chair of Hospice23, a Christian charity that provides support and education to those working in palliative care. He pursues his Christian activities as an Elder of Tunbridge Wells Christian Fellowship and was a member of the working group set up by The House of Bishops which published a major report on the Christian Healing ministry 'A time to heal' in 2000. He is married with four children and now lives together with his wife Mary on the estate at Burrswood. Read the whole article...
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