Trustee Cathryn’s life-long commitment to compassionate care
Cathryn Edwards OBE is Honorary Professor of Medical Education and Healthcare at the University of Lincoln and works as a professional executive coach for the healthcare and vocational professions. In 2015, during her clinical career as a consultant gastroenterologist and physician, she was invited to join Rowcroft’s Board of Trustees. Eleven years on, she remains one of the vital voices guiding the hospice today, alongside our other trustees, volunteers, staff and supporters.
“I have found it deeply fulfilling to contribute and to see the hospice flourish at so many levels,” says Cathryn. “I never fail to be humbled and grateful for the care that Rowcroft gives to its patients and their families every day.”
A journey of caring for others – from teen to trustee
Cathryn’s connection to hospice care began at 16, when she volunteered as a nursing auxiliary at her local hospice in South Yorkshire. Becoming a Rowcroft trustee – and for a period Chair of the Board – felt like coming full circle back to those early days in Sheffield where she was taught the fundamentals of compassionate care by dedicated clinical and non-clinical staff.
“The things I learnt as a volunteer auxiliary nurse have stayed with me throughout my medical career, as have the patients whom I met and supported,” says Cathryn. “I continue to use those skills in my work today.
“I have been part of the Torbay clinical community since my appointment as a consultant gastroenterologist and physician at the hospital back in 2002. This is where my path crossed with many of the doctors and senior staff from the hospice. I very much valued working with skilled colleagues at Torbay and Rowcroft to deliver the best supportive care possible in the acute setting, and I will always remain committed to palliative services and end-of-life support.”
Compassion and diversity in leadership
“I have learnt that it is not just in the clinical setting that a commitment to compassion and diversity matters. It needs to be adopted by all leaders and organisations. The concept of compassionate leadership and board diversity in challenging environments has been a very important anchor for me, particularly during the pandemic.”
Why funding awareness matters
“One of the big difficulties of providing healthcare is that for the most part, the public do not understand how it is funded. At their time of need, people rightly focus on the care offered, not how it is paid for. Many are surprised to learn that only 24% of Rowcroft’s income comes from the NHS; the remainder is generated from our amazing local community.
“To ensure our survival and sustainability, we need to think outside of the traditional box and generate funds from multiple sources to ride the ups and downs of the economic climate. Futureproofing may be an overused term but burying our head in the sand because it all feels too difficult is not an option. I have been so impressed by Rowcroft’s resilience and desire to tackle this challenge in a balanced and innovative way, and I will continue to help bring clinical focus and understanding to the Board during my remaining time as a trustee.”
As well as serving on the main Board of Trustees, Cathryn sits on the Ella Rowcroft Foundation Trust board. She is married with one son and has lived in the Totnes area for 24 years with her family and dogs.