CARDIFF’s local hospice City Hospice announced a key appointment as it celebrated its 40th anniversary with the appointment of Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff as its Vice President.
Baroness Finlay is a fellow at Velindre Cancer Centre and honorary professor of palliative medicine at Cardiff University, with extensive experience in palliative care and bereavement support.
In 2001, she became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords, with her policy interests covering health services, medicine, medical ethics, science and technology and issues affecting Wales.
As Vice President of City Hospice, Baroness Finlay will act as an ambassador for the charity, helping to increase the profile of the charity and providing support to achieve strategic goals.
Baroness Finlay said: “To be appointed Vice President of this amazing charity is an honour. City Hospice makes a significant difference to the lives of so many in Cardiff, providing specialist palliative care and continued support to patients and families in what can be the most difficult period in their lives. I look forward to raising awareness of the charity’s work in my new role.”
Baroness Finlay joined some of the City Hospice team, ambassadors, supporters and some long service volunteers at the Senedd on 4 June, sponsored by Cardiff Central MS Jenny Rathbone, to celebrate the charity’s 40 years delivering community palliative care in Cardiff.
Jenny Rathbone said: “Baroness Finlay will be a fantastic ambassador to help City Hospice take forward its pioneering work in the decades ahead.”
The event was hosted by ambassador Sian Lloyd and acknowledged significant contributions by supporters, volunteers and founding members such as founder member Dr Elinor Kapp. Speakers at the event also included ChiefExecutive Liz Booyse, Dr Margred Capel and family member Claire Akers-Dyer who spoke passionately about the care her husband had received from the hospice following a rare cancer diagnosis.
City Hospice was established in 1984 and over the four decades since its inception, the charity’s services have expanded to meet the needs of its patients, families and the wider community.
The charity has seen demand for its services grow at an exponential rate. In 1997, 100 patients were referred to City Hospice for specialist palliative care in total and today, more than 100 patients are referred to the charity each month.
Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “We are delighted to welcome Baroness Finlay as our new Vice President. Her expertise and experience in palliative medicine enables her to fully understand the value of our work in the capital and the importance of being able to continue to deliver this care for the next 40 years.
“Our ruby anniversary event, held at the Senedd, was a great opportunity to introduce Baroness Finlay to our team and supporters as we joined together to celebrate 40 years of caring for Cardiff and reflect on what we have achieved throughout the years. It was a fantastic afternoon, and we thank Jenny Rathbone MS for sponsoring the event.”
