ARDGOWAN Hospice has appointed a new chief executive.
Linda McEnhill says she’s looking forward to working with staff and volunteers to support people in Inverclyde who have life-limiting illnesses.

Linda has been involved in palliative care for 25 years, during which time she has worked in a range of settings as a practitioner, manager, director and lecturer in Scotland and England. 

Back in 2010, she was based at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and worked closely with Ardgowan Hospice to help set up its Butterfly service for bereaved young people.

She said: “I have happy memories of Ardgowan — always a warm, friendly welcome and I look forward to working with staff and volunteers to support those living in our community affected by life limiting illness.”

Keith McKellar, the chairman of Ardgowan Hospice, welcomed Linda to the hospice.

He said: “We are delighted Linda has agreed to become our new CEO.

“We are looking forward to continuing to develop hospice care under her leadership.”

Born in Glasgow, Linda now lives in Kilmacolm with her husband of 37 years, Peter, and their three-year-old Dalmatian, Mungo.

She has degrees in theology, social work and hospice leadership and is a qualified clinical hypnotherapist.

During her career, she has held various social work and counselling roles and developed a passion to improve care at the end of life for people with learning disabilities.

In 1998, her desire to see equitable access for all people to high quality end of life care led her to establish the National Network for Palliative Care of People with Learning Disabilities.

This work was recognised when she was awarded the first Hambro-Macmillan Associate Fellowship in 2003. 

An award was later created in her name to recognise organisations and individuals who have made a significant difference to the end of life care of people with learning disabilities.